Like a well-oiled machine, a commercial kitchen keeps customers happy and your business running smoothly by producing delicious food as efficiently as possible. But as restaurant equipment ages, that efficiency can dip, affecting quality and impacting the bottom line. Keep reading to learn three tips that can help increase the efficiency of your commercial kitchen. 

How to Run an Efficient Commercial Kitchen

1. Save Energy

Restaurant equipment, such as ovens and freezers, needs a lot of power to run effectively. Finding ways to conserve energy can reduce your utility costs and increase the efficiency of your kitchen. Performing regular maintenance on appliances can help them run more efficiently and extend their life span. 

For example, using a stiff brush to clean the condenser coils on your refrigeration units every three months will help them keep cooler while consuming less energy. You can also save energy by shutting down unused equipment rather than letting it run idle. 

Consider replacing the lighting in your kitchen with energy-efficient CFL or LED bulbs, which use less electricity than standard incandescent bulbs and last longer. Using low-flow sprayers and aerators on faucets can help reduce water usage, saving on utility costs and eliminating waste.

2. Check Seals and Gaskets

Everyday wear and tear can create cracks in the gaskets around the doors of your refrigerators, ovens, and freezers. This allows air to escape, causing the unit to work harder and use more energy, resulting in higher utility costs and less efficiency. Regularly replacing worn seals and gaskets on your restaurant equipment can reduce energy loss and save money. 

For heavy use walk-in fridges and freezers, consider cooler curtains. These plastic strips hang across the door and help stop the loss of cold air, increasing the unit's efficiency while allowing easy access to the interior. 

3. Upgrade Older Restaurant Equipment

Regardless of how well you care for your appliances, new technologies and an increasing number of efficiency and safety options make upgrading a smart move. If you often have to repair equipment, have difficulty finding replacement parts, or it is no longer safe to operate, then it is time to consider upgrading. Changes in your business, such as introducing a new menu or an increase in sales, may also necessitate an upgrade to maximize your kitchen's efficiency.

Commercial Refrigeration of KY Inc. in Campbellsville, KY offers only the highest quality products and names on the market. This locally owned and operated company has more than 30 years of experience in giving restaurants and other commercial venues a competitive edge with state-of-the-art equipment. Call them today at (270) 465-2910 or visit them online for more information.