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! 

Do you want to have the most efficient-running kitchen in Toronto?

Every great kitchen boils down to having great chefs and top-tier equipment. Some kitchens will be different in terms of their needs. Yet, you’ll likely have a more challenging time keeping up with demand and serving customers without a few essential kitchen pieces.

Below, we’ll get into the top 4 most essential pieces of restaurant equipment. After reading this article, look around your kitchen and see if you have these items. Keep reading to learn more about how to get the best restaurant equipment Toronto offers!

1. Ovens

If you’re opening a restaurant in Toronto, you’re likely going to need several different types of ovens. This is because different ovens operate in various manners. So, the end result of cooking food in one oven might not be the same as cooking it in another.

One of the most common types of ovens in restaurants is the commercial convection oven. These ovens distribute an even layer of heat over the food. As a result, the risk of having your food come out unevenly heated diminishes.

Conveyor ovens allow for quick heating, making them perfect for busy restaurants. 

2. Mixers

Running a restaurant requires your kitchen staff to mass-produce their dishes. So, you’ll waste time if you don’t rely on mixers to get the job done. 

In fact, you’ll need several different types of mixers. Hand mixers are usually smaller and require your employees to hold them while they run. Stand and floor mixers can handle larger portions of food and operate independently. 

3. Dishwashers

Your restaurant equipment should include a commercial dishwasher to ensure you can stay on top of your dishes. Otherwise, your service will get delayed. 

It would help if you got dishwashers that can handle both plates and glasses when possible. You can purchase these types of dishwashers separately. However, some enable you to clean glasses and dishes in the same machine.

4. Commercial Ranges

Your stovetop ranges need to be big enough to handle several different dishes at once. 

Before purchasing ranges, take a look at your kitchen’s setup. You don’t want to purchase a gas range if your building doesn’t have gas available. 

If you don’t have a lot of space in your kitchen, consider getting a countertop range. These are more compact than the other options and can get situated on the tops of your counters. They’re also perfect for restaurants with booths at different events because they’re portable.

Want to Get the Best Restaurant Equipment?

If you’re looking for the best restaurant equipment in Toronto, you’ve come to the right place!

Here at Canada Food Equipment, we keep kitchens running smoothly by providing a wide range of essential restaurant equipment. These include food prep equipment, refrigeration units, and dishwashers. You can also get sinks, faucets, tables, and storage from our collection!

Have questions about our products? Contact us today to learn more!

To increase your efficiency, you want to work smarter, not harder, and the first step in getting organized is buying baking equipment that meets your requirements.

Whether you have an existing restaurant or a bakery, or whether you are starting from scratch, finding the ideal baking equipment in Toronto will ensure you improve your stand in the industry. However, selecting the correct food equipment for your bakery business can be a challenge as there is an overwhelmingly large number of products to choose from.

Don’t worry, with over 20 years of experience behind us, we know which essential baking tools you need to elevate your bakery.

Since you are probably not an artisanal hand mixing operation, you will need the best commercial baking equipment Toronto offers to produce your product with consistency and reproducibility. Keep reading to get our best tips.

Commercial Stand Mixers

No matter what you are baking, a commercial mixer is a must. These come in two varieties: planetary and spiral.

Before investing, it is crucial to determine what baking goods you plan to create. For example, do you require a more robust kneading machine for heavier doughs, or are you in the market for creating airier doughs like bagels?

Planetary Mixers

Planetary mixers are great for producing high volumes in the dough department and to producing perfectly aerated eggs, cream, and mayonnaise. You can expect regular use of all the attachments and agitators, including beaters, hooks, and whips. In addition, machines are sized by the volume of ingredients their bowls can hold.

As commercial mixers go, these are the most commonly used in the industry.

Spiral Mixers

Spiral mixers are the better choice for producing a more artisanal product. This piece of equipment rotates the bowl in both directions, moves the mixer tool, and is more effective when smaller batches are required.

Another benefit to these mixers is the speed. Slower mixing means that the dough is not at risk of overheating or fermenting too quickly. Lastly, they are also quieter than their planetary counterparts, which can be a boon in an already noisy environment.

Bread Slicers

This high-performance machine has a small countertop footprint and is ideal for bakeries and food service providers. The cutting widths vary from 1/2” to “5/8” and come with a stainless-steel bagger attachment.

Racks

It goes without saying that you will need racks and depending on your output, you’ll probably need more than one. From 10 shelves to 30, or half tier to pan trucks, we have racks to suit all needs and quantities.

Finding the Best Baking Equipment in Toronto

Knowing the best baking equipment is crucial for your bakery business. Keeping abreast of all the latest technology will help you stand out from your competitors.

Big or small, new or old, we’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for the best baking equipment in Toronto, contact our experts and let us know how we can help.

These days, almost everybody has easy access to refrigerators and freezers. As a result, people tend to overlook just how much value they provide for society. A lot of people could save a lot of money if they understood how to find the right commercial refrigerators for their situation.

So, what should you be looking for when you are choosing between different options for your business? Read on to learn all about the most important things to keep in mind when picking a commercial refrigerator!

Pick One of the Best Brands for a Restaurant Business

Sometimes, there is a big difference between the best refrigerator in the world and the best refrigerator for your particular situation. The kind of food equipment that restaurants work with often requires specific types of refrigerators.

When you are looking for the best commercial refrigerator Toronto has available, you want to stick with proven brands. There are brands that work especially well for the commercial refrigerators used by restaurants.

Plenty of restaurants rely on brands like Turbo Air, Canada Food Equipment, or True Refrigeration. However, the important thing to keep in mind is to look for a brand that is a tried and true choice for the restaurant industry.

Find a Commercial Kitchen Refrigerator With a Great Warranty

Don’t underestimate the importance of a great warranty. Warranties indicate confidence in a product, as it will get fixed if anything goes wrong. If a company doesn’t put a warranty on a refrigerator, they may not be confident it will last very long.

Choose a Size That Makes Sense for Running a Restaurant

It is always essential to figure out what refrigerator size will make sense for your restaurant. You might also want to plan for future growth. Either way, you don’t want to end up with a refrigerator that is too small.

Make Sure the Condenser Is in the Right Place

Make sure you know where you will put your refrigerator. And then pay attention to where the condenser is on different refrigerators.

If it works for your restaurant to have the condenser on the bottom of the unit, then great. But make sure you understand where the condenser will relate to your building before you buy the refrigerator.

Understand How to Buy the Right Commercial Refrigerators for You

We hope that some of the ideas in this article are helpful for you. Many people learn about the commercial refrigerator industry through a lot of trial and error.

Although this eventually turns them into something like amateur experts, it takes a lot of time and money to get there.

In most cases, it is more efficient to learn from the mistakes of others. The more you understand about the industry before you invest in a great commercial refrigerator, the less likely you are to regret your decision.

To learn more about commercial refrigerators and how to find the right one for your situation in Toronto, feel free to reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!