Canada boasts nearly 100 thousand restaurants. Together, these restaurants employ a sizeable portion of workers and give many of them their first job.

Restaurants do more than help society, though. They also help each other in some cases. Opening a restaurant is a considerable investment but buying used restaurant equipment can help lower the costs.

Each year, some restaurants fail, and many new restaurants take their place. Selling equipment allows one restaurant to invest less money while the other reduces its losses.

There are many things to consider when buying used restaurant equipment, so keep reading to learn more.

1. Not All Dealers Are Trustworthy

It’s essential to research before deciding on a used restaurant equipment dealer. Not all of them will treat you fairly.

The most trustworthy are second-hand dealers who often sell inspected used restaurant equipment. The equipment has been checked to ensure it’s still working, and honest dealers will be able to provide proof that the product is legitimate.

2. Make Sure the Equipment Is Clean

Cleanliness is an integral part of any business, especially in foodservice. Failing to use clean equipment and hygienic practices in the kitchen can lead to foodborne illness in customers.

Foodborne illness is a significant problem in Canada, with roughly 4 million cases occurring each year and over 200 fatalities. When it happens at a restaurant, the result is often an outbreak, and outbreaks can close a restaurant.

3. Ask About Warranties

One of the many benefits of buying used restaurant equipment is that some might come with a warranty. Equipment with a warranty can be replaced at little or no cost if it should break before the warranty runs out.

Usually, reputable dealers will be able to tell you if the equipment you’re buying has an active warranty. Talk to the dealer about the equipment you’re buying. If they don’t mention a warranty, be sure to ask.

4. Know Where to Get Parts

The unfortunate truth is that used restaurant equipment sometimes does break. The best way for a restaurant owner to prepare for this is to know where to buy replacement parts.

You’ll also need to know how expensive those parts are and how rare they are. After a certain point, it often becomes more affordable to buy a new appliance than to fix the one you have. Knowing the cost of parts can help you determine when this happens.

5. Study Up on Refrigerators 

There is some equipment that’s a little more delicate than others, and the refrigerator is probably the best example of this. Refrigerators require more extensive knowledge than other types of equipment, including all past issues it’s had.

The fridge is the heart of the restaurant business, and if there are any problems with it, the whole restaurant can suffer. For instance, if the fridge doesn’t get as cold as it should, food can spoil. You’ll need to know what to look for in a used fridge.

Used Restaurant Equipment and What to Know About It

If you’re looking for used restaurant equipment, Toronto is the place to go. We’ve talked about what you need to do when buying restaurant equipment, but that’s not the only way Canada Food Equipment can help.

Find plenty of restaurant and cooking equipment on the Canada Food Equipment site!