A well-equipped kitchen is a must for homeowners and restaurateurs alike. If you’re a homeowner who likes whipping up sumptuous dishes for your family and guests, you want to have everything you need in the kitchen. You don’t want your culinary creativity to get stifled by the lack of essential kitchen supplies.
Meanwhile, a kitchen complete with all the nitty-gritty for restaurateurs means you can better cater to your clientele. Your staff will be able to do their job to the best of their ability.
However, it’s true that shopping for kitchen must-haves can get costly. With that in mind, it’s crucial to look into potential money-saving hacks.
Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we will explore ways to save on kitchen supplies without compromising their quality. After all, cheap kitchen equipment that can’t deliver its intended purpose is a waste of money.
Top Chef Considerations
Before we delve into the ways in which you can save money when shopping for kitchen must-haves, let’s first discuss what to look for in cooking essentials. Whether you’re an honest-to-goodness chef or more like a kitchen dabbler who fancies being a chef, here are key considerations.
- Efficiency
This factor is arguably the most important. You want your deep fryer, for instance, to heat up sufficiently within a reasonable timeframe. Otherwise, you’ll end up wasting more money on a cheap deep fryer that takes too long to reach the required temperature to, let’s say, properly crisp a serving of French fries.
Plus, you will also waste valuable time. For commercial kitchens especially, that’s a real bummer. You can’t keep your clients waiting far longer than they have to. They’ll end up crossing out your name on their list of go-to places to dine and quickly find a better dining experience elsewhere. - Safety
You can’t compromise the safety of your family or your commercial kitchen staff. Yes, there’s no shortage of cheap kitchen equipment in the market, but if they’re prone to explode after a week or two, stay away. You will end up spending exorbitant money on hospital bills and legal battles. Prioritize kitchen safety at all times. - Eco-friendliness
Global warming is real. It’s in your interest to help mitigate the problem because you won’t have a kitchen to play in once the world collapses under the weight of neglect.
With energy-efficient appliances, you get to contribute to the fight against the irreversible heating up of the planet. Look for kitchen equipment with the Energy Star label. That’s the symbol of energy efficiency, backed by the government.
Make a list
Lists make everything simpler. Bucket lists, for instance, exist to make it easier for someone to pinpoint their priorities before they bid the world goodbye. Use the same principle when shopping for kitchen supplies. That is the top money-saving hack you need to know.
If you go to a home depot without a list on hand, chances are you’ll end up overshopping. You’ll put stuff you have no use for into your cart or items that will duplicate those you already have in your kitchen. These mistakes will quickly get your payables to balloon into something so serious that you might have no energy left to frolic in your now over-equipped kitchen.
Stick to the list you prepared. Even if you see something you find interesting, skip it. Fight the consumerism within you tooth and nail. Eventually, you’ll thank yourself for exercising restraint.
Shop from restaurant supply stores
Restaurateurs know this already. Commercial kitchen supply stores prove the most practical when it comes to kitchen essentials. That’s because they offer massive savings to shoppers. If you’re in the market for home kitchen supplies, do not fret. You will still be welcome, as these places don’t discriminate.
Sure, some of these supply chains prioritize their business partners. Their most significant discounts are exclusive to restaurants with an existing account with them. But that should not hold you back. With a few Google searches, you’ll come across commercial kitchen supply stores in your area that accepts walk-in shoppers.
Now, if you find it difficult to access a restaurant supply store, there’s a way to circumvent this roadblock. That is by joining food-centric organizations. For example, Kansas residents can sign up with the Kansas City Bar Barbecue Society. One of the perks of membership is access to commercial kitchen supply chains. That is on top of you getting to rub elbows with kindred spirits.
But how about if “we‘re not in Kansas anymore?” Well, relax, Dorothy. Go online and research food-centric clubs in your area. Read through their membership terms. Surely, you’ll find one with the same perks as the Kansas City Bar Barbecue Society. It might even be baking-centered, which could be right up your alley.
You can join this party for shoppers who have gotten used to digital carts and totally eschewed brick-and-mortar shops. Shopping platforms like the WebstaurantStore are at your disposal. Shipping costs will add to your expenses, but if you’re buying in bulk, that should be alright.
Wrapping It Up
Whether you’re shopping for a household or commercial kitchen, looking for quality is crucial. This will inform whether your kitchen hits the mark in terms of efficiency and safety.
Both are vital considerations here. You want your kitchen to be suitable for all your culinary adventures. Everything you need must be there, whether you want to bake or roast.
Also, while in the kitchen, your safety is of utmost priority. Make sure to organize your furniture within the space in such a way that cancels out all possible risks. The last thing you want to happen is while you’re in the throes of completing a life-altering recipe, something catches fire and wreaks havoc on your otherwise perfect day.
Quality and safety without going over budget—that’s the goal. So, for starters, know your home budget before shopping for kitchen supplies. Then stick to that budget as much as possible—even better if you could save money from your allotted funds. Follow the tips above to pull that off.
