5 Ways To Make Sure You Buy Good Restaurant Equipment – Memphis Ice

Without the right restaurant equipment, tools, and appliances, your commercial kitchen will be trapped in a vicious cycle of inefficiency, recurring expenses, and employee turnover. 

Good restaurant equipment will set your restaurant up for success. Regardless if you’re a large operation ready to scale or a small commercial kitchen just starting out, investing in high-quality equipment will support the foundation of your business and help you grow. 

The most important consideration when purchasing equipment for a foodservice operation is your own business model. When it comes to commercial ice machines, refrigeration, and kitchen appliances, it’s better to be selective.

Related: The Complete Guide To Commercial Kitchen Design

Restaurant equipment pulls major wattage, and can run your utility bills sky-high. Investing in energy-efficient appliances can save you hundreds of dollars per month, making it worthwhile to spend extra money up front to save on utilities over time.

You can be sure your commercial equipment meets the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if the model has the Energy Star label. Units that have the Energy Star label are designed to:

• Use energy at peak efficiency
• Reduce energy costs for your business

Equipment like restaurant ice machines and commercial refrigerators are a major investment. The last thing you want is to pay for an unexpected replacement or repair. That’s why warranties are especially important. You may even want to purchase extended warranties for your most expensive restaurant equipment. 

If you plan to be in the restaurant business for long, it’s worth developing a relationship with a reputable restaurant supply store near you. Restaurant equipment suppliers provide more than just the best kitchen tools and equipment—they can often help with warranty issues, offer repairs, and give expert advice. A local partner can save you time and money, and be your right-hand-helper when something goes wrong.

There’s nothing quite like shiny new equipment, right? The best way to make sure your appliances stay in mint condition is to invest in high-quality materials. Stainless steel is a must in commercial kitchens because it’s easy to clean, and durable. 

Equipment made from other materials may be cheaper, but usually you’ll end up paying for it later when dents, scratches, and wear-and-tear leave your kitchen a mess.

Restaurant staff turnover is notoriously high. With new employees regularly cycling through your business, it’s important that your equipment is easy to learn and use. We’re not just talking about pushing a button or pulling a lever. Make sure your equipment is easy to clean, store, and comfortable for most employees. 

Another important consideration is how easily you can find restaurant equipment parts and service near you. Certain food service tools and equipment brands can be hard to source parts for, so make sure you know you can access parts and repair services quickly. 

For commercial ice machine repairs, consider the ease of sourcing Manitowoc ice machine parts and Ice-O-Matic ice machine parts. These brands are easy to repair, and finding parts is a breeze. 

Related: Everything Restaurant Owners Should Know About Ice-O-Matic Ice Machines

The best place to buy restaurant equipment is at your local distributor, hands down. You’ll not only enjoy the convenience of finding restaurant equipment and repairs near you, you’ll also get personalized product and service recommendations. A local supplier can help you answer questions like: 

• What equipment do I need in a commercial kitchen?
• Should I buy new or used equipment?
• How do I size restaurant equipment for my needs?
• How can I save money on restaurant equipment? 

Your local distributor will be the best source for expert service, parts, and repairs. Many local restaurant appliance repair shops pride themselves on how quickly they can get your machinery up and running again. 

At Memphis Ice, we have a fleet of service trucks ready to repair ice machines and refrigeration equipment in the Memphis area. Our on-site technicians have all the tools, parts, and equipment needed to repair basic issues. If the repair is more involved, our in-shop service technicians will diagnose and repair your equipment in our Memphis warehouse. 

If you aren’t running regular preventive maintenance on your restaurant equipment, you should be. Preventative maintenance keeps your equipment running smoothly, can prevent costly repairs down the road, and extends the life of your machinery. 

Our Preventative Maintenance Program is designed to keep your commercial ice machine in top-notch condition with scheduled cleaning and maintenance. 

If you aren’t sure you’re ready to put down a hefty investment in restaurant equipment like a commercial ice machine, you should consider ice machine rental. 

Many restaurants and commercial kitchens rent ice machines to avoid upfront expenses and maintenance worries. 

Our Ice Machine Rental Program is designed to keep Memphis restaurants, bars, offices, and health care facilities stocked with ice without the responsibility of ownership. With commercial ice machine rentals starting at just $4 per day, renting a commercial ice machine is an easy, affordable option.