Efficiency in the Kitchen: Essential Smallwares for Restaurants

Running a bustling commercial kitchen is an art form, and behind every masterful chef is an array of trusty smallwares. These tools make a massive impact, from speeding up food prep to ensuring your dishes are on point. For many, they are so ingrained in daily kitchen operations that it’s hard to imagine how an establishment would function without them. 

In this post, we’ll explore the varied world of restaurant smallwares that keep kitchens running efficiently, from knives to pots and pans. After all, even the smallest items have a vital role to play in commercial kitchens!

What Are Smallwares?

Don't let the name fool you. Behind essential appliances and larger equipment, smallwares are often the MVPs of any kitchen’s team.

Smallwares refer to the various tools, utensils, and equipment used in commercial kitchens to prepare, cook, serve, and store food. These items are vital for day-to-day operations, aiding chefs and kitchen staff in crafting quality meals. Smallwares are fundamental and touch nearly every dish, facilitating the cooking process and ensuring precision whether your kitchen cooks, bakes, fries, or roasts, and everything in between.

Every Commercial Kitchen Needs Smallwares

Each restaurant operation demands unique commercial kitchen tools, from bustling diners to high-end eateries. Chef knives, measuring tools, and utensils suit precision in fine dining, while spatulas, ladles, and pans streamline fast-paced establishments. Bakeries rely on mixers, pastry tools, and baking pans. 

Versatile across settings, these tools adapt to varied culinary tasks, ensuring every kitchen functions smoothly with the right smallwares in hand, regardless of operation.

Knives and Accessories

Knives often serve as extensions of a chef's expertise. From precise chopping to intricate slicing, the right knife ensures culinary finesse and efficiency. 

In the high-paced environment of a commercial kitchen, quality knives enhance productivity and reduce prep time. There are a variety of knives available, as each is designed for specific tasks. For instance, a chef's knife offers versatility, a paring knife provides precision, and a cleaver is known for its robustness. Well-maintained knives not only enhance safety but also contribute to the overall quality of dishes.

In addition to the knives themselves, these tools require various accessories to keep edges sharp and ensure longevity. These accessories include sharpening steels and storage solutions, like magnetic strips or knife blocks, ensuring secure storage and organization.

Measuring Cups and Spoons

Cooking thrives on precision, and at the heart of this precision lie indispensable measuring cups and spoons. These commercial kitchen tools ensure recipe consistency and eliminate guesswork.

Measuring cups, available in various sizes, accurately quantify liquid ingredients while measuring spoons delicately portion out smaller quantities of dry ingredients. They can be used to complete various dishes but are most commonly found in bakeries. Another measuring tool to consider is the kitchen scale, which offers precise weighed ingredients that some recipes call for as opposed to volume amounts.

Pots and Pans

Cookware like pots and pans are where many ingredients are amalgamated together and turned into savoury delicacies. Alongside your commercial range, it’s important to consider the type and style of pot and pan you will use depending on the final dish you hope to serve. 

• Sauce pans excel in heating liquids and simmering sauces, while sturdy stockpots accommodate large batches of soups and stews. 
• Frying pans have wide, flat surfaces, ideal for searing and frying meats and veggies. 
• Stock pots are large and deep, making them perfect for preparing soups, stocks, and large quantities of liquids or stews.
• Brazier pans are designed for slow cooking and simmering, providing even heat distribution.
• Woks work best for high-heat cooking techniques like stir-frying and deep-frying.

When buying pots and pans, keep in mind that materials matter too: stainless steel is great for durability, non-stick works well for easy cleanup, and cast iron is preferred for even heat distribution.

Versatile Kitchen Tools

Spatulas, tongs, ladles—these kitchen tools serve a specific yet important function, making them essential utensils that streamline tasks. They come in many shapes and sizes, but generally, the cuisine cooked in your restaurant determines which tools you’ll need.

• Spatulas aid in flipping, turning, and scraping ingredients from pans, ensuring even cooking and preventing food waste. 
• Ladles facilitate precise pouring and serving of soups, sauces, and stews. 
• Graters tackle tasks from shredding cheese to zesting citrus, adding texture and flavor to dishes, while peelers swiftly remove skins from fruits and vegetables, streamlining prep work.

Food Storage Containers

Once prep is complete, or meals have been cooked and are ready to be stored, you’ll need somewhere to put them. That’s where plastic containers and food storage pans come in. These vessels ensure preservation, maintaining the quality ingredients of each dish.

• Plastic containers, with their versatility and tight-sealing lids, excel in storing leftovers, prepped ingredients, or grab-and-go meals. 
• Meanwhile, food storage pans, often made of stainless steel or aluminum, suit bulk storage, catering events, or baking, providing durability and ease of cleaning. 

Maintenance and Care

Due to the vast nature of smallwares, they are often made of different materials, ranging from plastic to aluminum and steel. To maintain these items and ensure they are performing at their best, regular cleaning is vital. 

1. Handwashing with mild soap and hot water ensures longevity for items like knives, utensils, and delicate tools. 
2. For more robust smallwares, commercial dishwashers offer efficiency—follow manufacturer guidelines for suitable temperatures and detergents. 
3. Drying these items thoroughly before storage is crucial, as this prevents potential bacterial growth. 
4. Ensure that staff regularly inspect for wear before items are put away.
5. Proper storage, such as hanging utensils or stacking pans with protective layers, prevents damage. 

Shop Zanduco for Your Smallwares

Each of these tools plays a pivotal role in ensuring your kitchen serves up quality dishes that leave customers wanting more. At Zanduco, we carry a wide range of high-performance smallwares designed to fit seamlessly into every commercial kitchen. Ready to turn your operations into a hub of culinary excellence? Connect with us to get started.