The Complete Guide to Buying Catering Equipment: Everything to Know
Planning to buy catering equipment?
Having the right catering equipment is the difference between a good event and a great one. But with so many options out there, it can be hard to know what you’re looking for. We’ve got all your questions answered in this guide!
You’ll learn about equipment from chafers to food warmers, steam tables to deep fryers, and more. This guide will help you find the best catering equipment for your next event – whether it’s small or large scale.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
What Is Catering Equipment?
Catering equipment, sometimes called catering supplies or catering utensils, are tools that you can use for preparing and serving food.
They’re meant to help serve large groups of people in an efficient manner. The right equipment can save you time and effort while still producing great results!
Some common types include the following:
Food Warmers
Food warmers are essentially electric ovens. They’re designed to keep food at a certain temperature for an extended period of time.
Chafing Dishes
Chafing dishes, also called chafers, are containers with a heat source used to keep food warm during an event. Remember “chafe” can also mean to become irritated or annoyed – referencing the discomfort of having food too hot! They come in a range of sizes and styles, from small tabletop options to large “station” chafers.
Steam Tables
Steam tables are devices with pans that sit on top of a heating element. By covering food with a lid, you can keep it at an even temperature. Steam tables are perfect for buffets, where guests can serve themselves.
Why Use Catering Equipment?
Catering equipment has a number of benefits that can help any event run seamlessly – from small dinner parties to large-scale events. Here are some reasons you should consider using catering supplies:
Saves Time
Instead of spending time cooking and setting up food, or having multiple appliances for each food item, you can simply use one piece of equipment to do all the heavy lifting.
Increases Efficiency
Using catering equipment helps simplify things – which will help you run your event with more efficiency. This is especially true when serving larger numbers of people!
It takes time to set up multiple cooking tools or have guests go through several dishes before finding the one they’re looking for. You can even opt for energy-efficient equipment.
Saves Money
There are a lot of benefits to buying catering equipment, but the cost might be the biggest one! If you invest in the right tools, it’s likely that your food expenses will drop – especially if you use chafers or steam tables to hold several dishes at once instead of serving each dish individually.
How to Buy Catering Equipment
There’s a lot to consider when buying catering supplies – it can be a little overwhelming at times! To help you out, we’ve created this guide on everything to know about purchasing catering equipment.
This guide will take you from start to finish, helping you learn exactly what questions to ask and how to choose the perfect machines for your event.
What Are Your Needs?
The very first step when trying to buy catering equipment is figuring out what you need. While this might seem obvious, it’s actually one of the most important steps!
Think about everything you’re serving at your event – how many people will be there, what types of food will be available, and what type of cuisine is on the menu. Once you have a grasp of that information, think about why you’re buying catering equipment.
Are you trying to save time? Simplify things at the event? Just looking to try out some new kitchen gadgets? Whatever your reason(s) for purchasing catering supplies, it’s important to be clear on them so you can focus your search!
What Type of Food Are You Serving?
Once you’ve figured out what you need and why, it’s time to think about the food. To do this, ask yourself: What type of food will we be serving? How many guests will we have? This will give you a basic idea of the type of catering equipment you’ll need at the event.
Your food needs will help you figure out what style and sized equipment to buy. For example, if your party is for 30 people, chances are you won’t need an enormous chafer to serve everything in! Instead, consider using steam tables or smaller chafers designed for smaller groups of people.
What Style?
“Style” refers to the physical design of your catering equipment. When choosing what style you need, think about how much space is available at the event. Will all of your cooking equipment fit on a countertop or table? If not, consider purchasing mobile catering equipment that you can wheel around.
If there’s a lot of space at the event, you can go for a traditional look with chafers and catering carts. These might require more space for a buffet line or wait station, but they provide a classic appearance that will fit in perfectly with most events.
If your event is inside, there are even more factors to consider! Think about how much space you have near an electrical outlet and whether or not there’s enough space for the equipment to be set up and left for the whole event.
What Size?
The size of your catering equipment is just as important as its style! If you buy a piece that’s much too big, it will take up all the room you had available – or even more! Make sure to think about how many guests you expect at your event.
This will help you determine the size of your chafers, steam tables, and other catering supplies. For example, if you need to serve 10 people, an 8qt rectangular chafer is far too large for that occasion! Instead, look at smaller chafers and steam tables designed for individual use.
Who Will Be Cooking?
Depending on who is cooking, you might need some extra equipment to make your life easier! If you are having food catered, or if it is being prepared by someone in another location entirely, chafing dishes with serving lids can keep food warm without exposing it to the air.
If there’s a lot of food or you need to keep it warm for a long period of time, consider purchasing warming carts that will keep everything at the right temperature all night. If you are cooking your own food, consider using insulated catering gloves so you can handle hot food without burning yourself.
Your Guide to Buying Catering Equipment Today
This guide has given you a lot of information to think about! Now you should have a better understanding of what you need to do before buying catering equipment.
To start learning more about the catering equipment that will be right for you, contact our team today. Our staff is friendly and happy to help you find just what you need at prices that you can’t beat!