It’s a hard question. Both replacing and repairing commercial kitchen equipment can be costly, but necessary. You need to make sure you are investing in the right option for you. By asking yourself a few questions and assessing the state of your equipment you can establish which option is the best for your business.

Things to consider

Safety

Safety is always the number one factor when making any decisions about your commercial kitchen. Faulty equipment can become unpredictable and if it is still used can become a huge danger to your team and business. More often than not, commercial kitchen fires are caused by faulty equipment and electrics. If you suspect that your equipment is faulty, it’s always best to make sure you cease use until it is checked by a professional who can confirm it’s 100% safe to use or requires repairing/replacing.

Repair costs

Is repairing your equipment going to be cost-effective? Weighing up the costs and outcome of repairs can help you make your decision. For example, a cost of £1000 that adds 5+ more years to the life of the equipment could be a good investment for you. If you are going to need to keep making repairs during those 5 years, you may be better off replacing the equipment. You’re not going to know how much a repair is going to cost you until you get a quote. Make sure you ask the person looking at the equipment as many questions as you can. Gain as much information as possible to make an educated decision about your equipment.

The age of the equipment

Technology doesn’t stop developing, even in catering. If your equipment is of a certain age this could cause some costly problems with repairing instead of replacing it. The manufacturers may not even make parts to repair it anymore and repair costs could be much higher due to complicated fixes around problems. Newer models could also save you money in the long run by being much more efficient and faster to run.

Changes to your menu & order volumes

If you invest money in repairing your equipment, is it going to be able to see your business through future menu changes and growth? Will your repaired equipment cope with three or four times the orders it was managing with before it needed repairing/replacing? Do some research before you make your decision. Can this piece help you achieve your business goals or is there a better option available to you now? However, if menu changes and higher order volumes don’t apply to your business, then repairing the equipment could be a much better option for you.

Whatever you decide about your commercial kitchen equipment, it’s a good idea to double check every member of your team know how to maintain it so you get the best out of your investment.

If you’re considering designing a new commercial kitchen, contact a member of our highly trained team here.