No matter how well you maintain your kitchen, there will come a time when you need to upgrade or buy new kitchen equipment because your old ones got damaged. When that time comes, you are probably trying to figure out how to make the greatest purchase decisions possible.
Do not fret because we will be sharing the factors that you need to consider when selecting your kitchen equipment. This article will serve as a guide to help you become a conscious consumer in the field of hospitality industry or just in your own household!
- Know your budget!
Selecting a kitchen unit is like buying a phone. You need to have the resources to buy it first before you can actually get one. In the world of consumerism, there is what we call the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The TCO calculation can be used to estimate how much a piece of equipment will cost over the course of its entire existence.
You must consider more than the original purchase price when crunching the numbers. The machine kitchen equipment will use electricity and possibly water, and it may also require oil (like for a fryer) and even manpower to run. All of these considerations must be factored into the initial purchasing price. Even if you don't have exact figures, a rough approximation will suffice.
- Check the warranty
One smart move to consider is to always check the warranty of the kitchen equipment. This will show you what the manufacturer will and will not cover in the event that something goes wrong. This is also the time to look into any extended warranty options for the item and determine whether the extra money spent up front is worth it. When deciding between two similar pieces of equipment, warranties can help you decide which one gets the job done.
- Examine its functionality
Take the time to think out what you'll need before going out and buying every piece of commercial kitchen equipment available. Take a look at your menu and think about what you'll need to prepare the food or baked goods you intend to sell. Invest in multi-functional components, such as a combination of a fryer and steamer, to save time and labor. Do your homework ahead of time because there are many new styles of equipment accessible today compared to ten years ago.
- Explore how to maintain the unit
Another key element to consider is maintenance. While maintenance agreements may appear to be an excessive price, consider the alternative: unexpected equipment failure, which necessitates an emergency repair call and costs far more than routine maintenance. If you look after your kitchen equipment, it will last longer and have fewer problems than if it is neglected and never inspected.
- How will it get to your doorstep?
This is the last thing you have to consider, especially when your unit is very fragile or very big. Examine your new equipment from all angles and look for damage or missing parts after it has arrived on your doorstep. If there is damage, the shipping company is normally responsible for replacing or repairing the item, but you must report it within a certain number of days after arrival. To have a piece replaced if a component of the piece is missing, contact the store where it was acquired or maybe the manufacturer.
Be the next conscious consumer by considering these factors in your next kitchen equipment purchase!