April 8th, 2020
Are you thinking about getting into the restaurant business? Do you already own or manage a restaurant? If so, then you might be aware that one of the most important aspect of the business is setting up the kitchen with the right equipment.
In addition, buying used kitchen equipment can also save a lot of the upfront costs involved in starting a restaurant. However, when buying used, you’ll want to ensure the equipment you buy is durable and reliable so that you don’t end up with unforeseen repair costs.
In this post, we’ll discuss some useful tips about buying used restaurant equipment in Palatine:
1. Research
It’s important that you do your homework about the kind of kitchen equipment you need, and the specifications needed to meet the peak demands of the kitchen. With that on hand, we recommend searching for manufacturers that have a good reputation. Doing this will ensure that the equipment you buy is of good quality and will serve you well. Moreover, in case of any breakdowns, spare parts of reputable manufacturers will be more readily available to fix the equipment quickly.
2. Sources
Newer isn’t always better. It is estimated that 3 out of 10 restaurants fail within the first couple of years of establishment. As a result, you can keep an eye out for restaurants that are going out of business to get a great deal on their gently used equipment. Furthermore, you could also pick up a quality piece of equipment from an online auction.
3. Inspect
Whether the used equipment is purchased online or in-person, the equipment should be inspected for damage, rust, or any missing pieces. This will give you an idea of how old the equipment is, and how well it was cared for when it was in use. If possible, check to see the item in operation to ensure that it functions properly.
4. Check Safety Codes
Safety regulations and health codes are vital, and newer models introduced by manufacturers need to abide by them. However, some older models may not be in line with the most recent code. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the model you plan to purchase is in keeping with all the recent safety and health norms that have been set.
5. Check Warranties
A new piece of equipment always comes with a warranty. However, some used restaurant equipment retailers will also offer their own warranties. In the long run, this will add to your cost savings.
6. Go with Gas
In general, equipment that runs on gas has fewer moving parts than other types of battery or electricity-run equipment. This makes gas equipment easy to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain. Therefore, if available, we recommend choosing gas-powered equipment rather than electric-powered equipment.
7. Buy Commercial Grade
Lastly, you’ll want to ensure that you purchase commercial-grade products. Commercial equipment is not only easier to clean and maintain, but at times, it could be mandatory based on the standards set by your local health department.
It is also important to make sure that the seller of the equipment is reputable. Buying from an unproven seller could result in the equipment costing you more in the form of future repair costs.
Looking to Purchase Used Restaurant Equipment in Palatine?
Are you looking to invest in used commercial restaurant equipment in Palatine? If so, we here at March Quality offer many different types and sizes of used restaurant equipment to meet your needs.
We sell a variety of used foodservice equipment, all of which have been refurbished to operate like brand new. Contact us today to discuss your needs!