Elevate Your Restaurant with Top Supplies in Tulsa

Opening and operating a successful restaurant in Tulsa requires having the right equipment and supplies. From commercial grade ovens and refrigerators to smallwares and disposables, restaurant owners need reliable and efficient gear to run their kitchens smoothly. Utilizing high-quality supplies enables chefs to produce consistent, delicious meals while optimizing food costs. This article explores how sourcing premier restaurant supplies in Tulsa can help elevate your establishment.

Invest in Sturdy Stainless Steel Equipment

The engine of any restaurant is the kitchen, where appliances must endure heavy use daily. Stainless steel is the ideal material for the high heat, moisture and heavy use of a commercial kitchen. When sourcing ovens, grills, fryers and other cooking equipment, be sure to choose stainless steel models designed specifically for restaurant use.

Quality stainless steel appliances will have thicker metal construction and be reinforced at stress points. Doors will have sturdy hinges and handles while inspection windows allow monitoring without heat and moisture loss from opening the door. Internal components should be easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance.

Pay the premium for all stainless steel, avoiding lower grade metals which can bend, warp or rust over time. Work closely with equipment supply specialists in Tulsa to select commercial grade appliances sized appropriately for your menu and volume. Investing in quality stainless steel equipment reduces costly repairs and downtime over the life of your business.

Maintain Consistent Temperatures with Commercial Refrigeration

Just as critical as commercial cooking equipment is proper refrigeration. Restaurants require a range of units including reach-in refrigerators, freezers, prep tables, milk coolers and more. Commercial refrigerators are specifically designed to maintain consistent interior temperatures between 34-40°F.

Durability is also important, as restaurant units endure heavy use with constant opening of doors. Choose solid stainless steel interiors which are easy to clean and sanitize. Doors should seal tightly when closed to maximize cooling efficiency.

Work with your restaurant supply tulsa company to select an appropriate combination of refrigeration units. Prep tables, for example, should be sized to handle the volume of ingredients your chefs will be prepping daily. Placement is also important to create an efficient kitchen workflow. Investing in proper commercial refrigeration is critical for food safety and reducing product loss from spoilage.

Source High-Heat Cookware for Consistent Results

The pots, pans and other cookware used in your Tulsa restaurant carry the delicious recipes from your menu to customers’ plates. With heavy use over a hot stove or oven, commercial cookware must be durable and able to conduct heat consistently.

Look for heavy-gauge metals like aluminum and stainless steel designed specifically for commercial use. Avoid thinner consumer-grade cookware which can quickly warp or develop hotspots that burn food.

Source cookware that is optimized for standard commercial cooking methods. Stock pots should have measurement markings and pour spouts. Frying pans should have riveted handles that stay cool along with drip-free lips. Sauce pots should have secure fitting lids and dripless pouring.

Investing in high-quality, commercial-grade cookware allows your chefs to precisely execute recipes consistency meal after meal. This leads to happy customers and protects your restaurant's reputation.

Keep a Stainless Steel Workhorse on Hand

A commercial work table is one of the most useful and versatile items in a restaurant kitchen. These stainless steel tables provide space for prep work, storage and assembly. The best work tables have sturdy reinforcing crossbars under the surface and rounded corners for safety and easy cleaning.

When specifying a work table, consider the tasks it will be used for. Some tables have built-in storage while others have backsplashes to contain messes. There are even adjustable height models to accommodate different tasks and workers.

Be sure to choose an all-stainless steel table for maximum durability with removable undershelves. This allows easy cleaning since grease and food debris can collect underneath. Look for rounded legs with adjustable non-slip feet for stability and to protect your kitchen floors.

Having a few large, commercial grade work tables in your kitchen provides flexibility for prepping ingredients, assembling dishes and staging plates. They are true workhorse items that boost productivity.

Source Smallwares for Efficient Operations

Commercial kitchens require a variety of “smallwares” which may seem insignificant but are vital for smooth operations. These include tongs, spatulas, whisks, ladles, sheet pans, pots racks and more. While it’s tempting to cut costs on these mundane items, low-quality versions can slow down your kitchen staff.

Instead, source smallwares through a reputable Tulsa restaurant supply company. Items will be sized and shaped specifically for commercial use, speeding up repetitive kitchen tasks. Construction should be durable to withstand daily use with riveted connections and comfortable, slip-proof handles.

Take stock of which smallwares your chefs use most frequently when prepping and cooking. Provide enough of each tool to keep work stations neatly organized for efficiency. Adequate pots, pans and sheet pans allow batch cooking items like sauces and sides. Invest in smallwares to maximize productivity in your restaurant kitchen.

Maintain Safety with Floor Mats and Treatment

With a busy kitchen, oil, grease and liquids can quickly make tile floors slippery and hazardous. Be proactive about safety by using commercial kitchen floor mats in high traffic areas. Look for "closed cell" mats, meaning the porous surface seals out moisture, fats and bacteria. This prevents slipping and makes mats easy to clean. Lay down strips near fryers, ovens, dishwashing areas and drink stations.

Anti-slip floor treatments are another option for bare floors. Restaurant supply stores offer commercial-grade sealants that stand up to hot grease while adding grip. Have any worn tiles replaced and apply treatments in a slip-resistant finish. Adding mats and treatment improves traction in the kitchen for less chance of worker falls and injuries. Monitor high traffic areas and touch up finishes regularly.

Keep Things Moving with Bus Boxes and Caddies

As diners finish meals in your Tulsa restaurant, dishes, utensils and trash must be cleared quickly to free up tables. Bus boxes allow servers to remove everything neatly in one trip. Look for sturdy plastic bus boxes which are lightweight even when loaded. Square shapes with rounded corners make them easy to carry.

Similar caddies are useful for transporting dishes from dining areas back to the dishwashing station. Choose plastic caddies with smooth rolling casters so servers can transport stacks of plates, bowls and cups with ease. Drainage holes allow excess liquids to flow out so servers stay clean.

Having enough bus tubs and dish caddies improves efficiency by letting staff make fewer trips. Customers also appreciate emptied tables so they can linger over coffee or dessert without feeling rushed.

Handle High Volume Dishwashing with Specialized Equipment

Washing the piles of plates, glasses and utensils used daily requires specialized dishwashing equipment designed for restaurants. Conveyor style dishwashers allow a constant stream of dishware to move through wash and rinse cycles with an assembly line workflow. Heat sanitization elements ensure dishes are sterilized killing 99.9% of germs.

Underbar dishwashers fit neatly under counters to conserve space while providing fast wash cycles. Glasswashers utilize specialized gentle cycles and temperatures to clean beer mugs, wine glasses and cocktails glasses without chipping or cracking them.

Investing in dishwashers built for high volume restaurant use increases efficiency. Staff spend less time hand washing while sanitized dishware protects customers from spreading germs. Keep your dishwashing area clean by adding wire shelving for drying racks and clean dish storage.

Maintain Food Safety with Cutting Boards and Thermometers

Health safety begins with how you handle, prep and cook ingredients in your Tulsa restaurant. Use color-coded cutting boards to avoid cross-contamination - red for raw meat, yellow for poultry, blue for seafood and green for produce. Look for commercial boards made from durable plastic which can go right in the dishwasher. Replace boards once cutting surfaces become overly scarred.

Regularly monitor food temperatures during storage, prep and cooking. Arm your chefs with probe thermometers designed for commercial use with thick, stainless steel probes. Critical control points include verifying fridge temperatures, cooking items to proper internal temperature and holding hot prepared foods above 140°F.

Following best practices for cutting boards and monitoring with thermometers reduces the risk of food borne illnesses. This protects your customers as well as your restaurant's hard-earned reputation.

Maintain Quality Control with Commercial Scales

Consistency is key for restaurants, as customers expect each dish to look and taste the same on repeat visits. Using commercial scales enables chefs to precisely portion proteins, produce and baked goods to meet recipes. Look for durable scales with seamless stainless steel platforms. Waterproof models can even handle wet ingredients.

Choose scales with easy to read digital displays and quick tare functions to weigh items in bowls. For maximum accuracy, select scales that can be calibrated periodically to keep them precisely measured. Place scales strategically around stations where meats, produce and bakery items are prepped.

Conclusion

Elevating your restaurant in Tulsa is not solely about the menu; it extends to the essential supplies and equipment that streamline operations and enhance food quality. By investing in durable, high-quality commercial-grade kitchen equipment—from stainless steel appliances to specialized dishwashing solutions—you set the stage for culinary excellence and operational efficiency.

 

Choosing reliable suppliers, like Main Auction Services, Inc., ensures that you have access to top-tier products that meet your restaurant's unique demands. By prioritizing safety, quality, and efficiency in your kitchen, you not only improve service and customer satisfaction but also protect your investment in the long run. With the right supplies at your disposal, your restaurant can thrive in Tulsa's competitive dining scene and delight customers with every meal. Embrace these investments, and watch your establishment flourish.