If you're a restaurant owner, then you understand the importance of maintaining your cooking equipment. Keeping your equipment in tip top shape will save you time and money, and will ultimately keep your business thriving. 

Here are a few tips for how you can maintain the cooking equipment in your restaurant. 

Clean your equipment regularly 

Cleaning your cooking equipment can be time consuming, but this task should never be overlooked. Leaving equipment dirty for weeks on end can age it prematurely and can even cause it to break. Leaving elements like grease and old food on surfaces can cause serious damage.

Make cleaning your cooking equipment a habit. Fit it into your schedule so that way it does not get neglected. Most cooking equipment should be cleaned once a day after it has been used. This rule applies to things like stovetops, griddles, and ovens. If you miss a day here and there, don't stress about it, but make sure to clean as soon as possible. 

Pay attention to grease 

As mentioned above, grease can do serious damage to the surfaces in your kitchen. It is absolutely essential to have multiple grease filters in your kitchen, and to clean them daily. Cleaning the filters doesn't have to be hard. In fact, you can put them in the dishwasher to clean them, so you won't have to touch the grease at all. It may take a few cycles to get the filters clean if they are especially dirty. 

As time goes on, grease filters will have to be replaced. Pay attention to them and check them frequently to make sure they are still in working condition. 

Floor maintenance 

Most restaurant owners don't think of the floor as part of the kitchen equipment, but the floor is used constantly by everyone, every single day. A lapse in floor care can lead to a slip and fall, which would bring your kitchen's productivity to a halt and would also cost you some serious cash. To avoid this from happening, take care of your floor just as you would any other equipment. Make sure it is cleaned as least once a day, and make sure to fix any damage that occurs over time. Rubber mats and non-slip shoes will also help prevent accidents from happening. 

Remember to schedule inspections 

Cooking equipment needs to get inspected once a year. It is vital to make sure that this expensive equipment is running smoothly and that there are no internal problems. Make an annual appointment with a local qualified commercial cooking appliance contractor so that way you can be sure that your equipment is in good shape. 

As your equipment gets older, it is even more important to schedule these annual appointments. All equipment needs a five year inspection, a ten year inspection, and so forth. Your equipment is essential to your business and should be treated as such. Think of your equipment like it is your car or your house - it needs to be inspected in order to work properly. 

Review your owner's manual

Every piece of cooking equipment comes with an owner's manual, and you should take some time to become familiar with this information. Knowing how to use your cooking equipment is an essential part of its maintenance. Improper use of kitchen equipment can lead to serious damage. 

Reading an owner's manual front to back might be excessive, but certainly make sure you glance over information like FAQs and suggested maintenance. You will be glad you paid attention to your owner's manual because if something breaks or if there is an accident, you will have know how to handle the situation. 

Conclusion 

Use these simple tips to maintain your cooking equipment and your restaurant will thrive. Always remember that the time and effort you put into your cooking equipment will be reflected in your restaurant and overall business. Keep your cooking equipment in good shape and the rest will follow!

As a restaurant owner, you may need to sell your used equipment if you are closing your restaurant or if you are purchasing brand new equipment. Whatever the reason is, selling commercial restaurant equipment can be difficult. Even if your equipment is older, if it is in good condition, you will still want to sell it for a fair price. You will also need to find potential buyers. It can be a tricky process, but if performed the right way, you can still make a great profit on your used equipment. 

Here are some tips for selling your used commercial restaurant equipment. 

Go online 

Nowadays, your potential buyers will mostly likely be on the Internet, already looking for used equipment. If you post your equipment on sites like eBay and Craigslist, you will save yourself and your buyer some time. You can create a simple post with the name of your equipment, how old it is, and your contact information. It is also a good idea to include a few pictures along with your post, so potential buyers can see if your equipment is in good condition. This is the most popular way that restaurant owners find buyers for their equipment because it is very straightforward. 

Use social media 

If you have social media platforms for your restaurant, you should post about your equipment that is up for sale. Your followers will see the posts and will be able to share them so others can see them as well. Word spreads quickly through social media, so finding a buyer can be a pretty quick process with this method. 

Facebook also has a Marketplace section, where you can buy and sell used items just like you would on eBay and Craigslist. This Facebook feature has become very popular and many people are opting to use that over other sites. 

Contact regional restaurant associations 

Find out where your regional restaurant associations are and contact them. If there are offices close by, going in person is never a bad idea. If it's too far, a phone call will do. These associations are in contact with thousands of restaurants in your area and will know who is looking for used equipment. They will be able to give you some names and phone numbers of restaurant owners to call who will be interested in what you are selling. 

Post local ads 

Local newspaper and magazines are still valuable resources when it comes to buying and selling anything. Whether you choose to put an ad up in a print format or online, readers will see it. Posting ads is the "old fashioned" way of buying and selling used items, and while the Internet is taking over, some people prefer to go the old fashioned route. Make sure you utilize this method, as it could lead to a potential buyer. 

Reach out to local restaurants 

Reaching out to local restaurants is easy, convenient, and smart. Choose a few restaurants in your area and stop by each one. Speaking to another restaurant owner in-person will leave a good impression and will create a lasting connection. While the Internet is modern and fast, nothing will ever take the place of an in-person conversation. Meeting someone in person and having a casual conversation is never a bad idea. 

Bring a few of your business cards with you when visiting your local restaurants, so you can easily give someone your contact information if he is interested in what you are selling. Although this method might be a little slower, it is still very successful. Local restaurants are the right places to visit if you are used commercial equipment to sell. 

Good luck!

While selling used commercial restaurant equipment can be difficult, you are bound to find a buyer with these few tips. Good luck with your sales!