Looking after kitchen equipment properly is absolutely essential. Appliances that have been well looked after will need replacing less often, meaning they’re a more economical purchase for you, as a business owner. Not only that, but you’ll be avoiding buying replacements and, consequently, frequent large payments. Put simply, correct use and maintenance of your kitchen equipment is critical.
Catering Equipment Maintenance
At Prestige we regularly see problems that have occurred when catering equipment hasn’t been looked after sufficiently. These issues often mean that the equipment needs either a costly repair or an even more costly replacement. One of the most common issues we see within professional kitchens is a dishwasher that needs replacing – these are often the most neglected bit of kit. They are rarely serviced properly and we frequently find that customers have been advised to buy one that isn’t suitable for their needs in the first place. Other issues we see repeatedly include blocked jets on cookers following a lack of correct cleaning procedures, limescale build up in dishwashers that aren’t regularly descaled and blocked fridge condensers which will cause the whole thing to overheat. (This one is a particularly costly fault as you’re not only paying for repair and losing money if you have to close your premises, but you can also end up losing all the stock held within the fridge.)
Good kitchen appliances aren’t cheap – they’re an investment that you need to prolong as much as possible. With good maintenance, the key pieces of of equipment in your kitchen (fridges, range cookers, dishwashers etc.) can last up eight years in a restaurant, 12 years in a care establishment and 15 years in a school.
Working With Prestige Catering Equipment
So how can we help? Working with Prestige can help you prolong the life of your equipment with our asset tagging system and planned preventative maintenance plans. This is where one of our engineers visits your site and logs every piece of equipment, giving each one its own serial number. We’ll note the condition of every appliance and produce a full report for you showing these details. The report includes any recommendations for potential maintenance work as well as advice for staff on how to best use and maintain each piece of equipment. We do this once when you initially begin working with us and then repeat every six to 12 months. With each appliance having its own identification number, it’s easy for you to report any problems in future.
Our preventative maintenance inspections mean that managers and owners get a detailed overview of their kitchen and its equipment. You’ll know what’s in poor condition and what’s not. You’ll be able to see whether staff have been using each appliance correctly and, if that’s not been happening, ensure best practice in future. You’ll know of any potential problems before they escalate into huge issues, saving money for you in the long run. There’s also peace of mind that your kitchen is running in line with industry regulatory requirements. Then, if something does eventually need replacing in your kitchen, our team can help advise you on the best model for your needs.
If you would like more information on how our Planned Preventative Maintenance service could help you, contact us on 01604 756395.
