Saving energy is a hot topic right now. And for a good reason. With commercial energy prices rising and putting massive strain on finances, it's more important than ever for businesses to find ways to cut costs.
One area where restaurants and catering businesses can make a significant impact is in their commercial kitchen set-up and the catering appliances that they use. Catering kitchens can save a considerable amount of money on their energy bills by making simple changes and investing in energy efficient cooking equipment.
Here a few tips to help your commercial kitchen become more energy efficient.
How to increase energy efficiency in a professional kitchen
Here are five suggestions that could help to boost efficiency and save money.
- Control the temperature
- Operate efficient kitchen layouts
- Buy energy-efficient catering equipment where possible
- Maintenance is Key
- Implement Staff Training
Control the Temperature
An easy place to start when making your commercial kitchen more energy efficient is temperature. Something as simple as keeping every cooking zone on a griddle fired up when not in use, a common and convenient practice in many kitchens, increases energy costs and can be a safety hazard.
Help reduce energy by turning off equipment when it isn't in use during service. If equipment isn't being used at that moment but will be later, turn it down to a lower setting until it's needed or switch to a stand-by mode if it has one. Where heat can be controlled independently of other areas, turn off sections that aren't in use.
Efficient Equipment Layout
A well-designed commercial kitchen will have a sensible flow that minimises unnecessary trips between different kitchen areas. Appliances and workstations should be laid out ergonomically, making it easy for staff to move between them. The original idea of the 'Golden Triangle' system for commercial kitchen design is a great starting point to understanding the concept of ergonomic layouts. Although originally intended for domestic settings, this idea made its way into early professional settings and has since continued to evolve in response to ever-increasing commercial demands.
The layout of your commercial kitchen can significantly impact its energy efficiency. A great to boost energy savings is by grouping together heated appliances in one area, chilled and refrigerated equipment separately, and preparation in another zone. Place the oven, grill, fryer and other hot appliances in one place and make sure they're well ventilated with adequate extraction.
It might seem obvious to most professional caterers, but by keeping heated and chilled appliances apart, you can stop them from competing for energy and help each one run more effectively and more efficiently.
Buy Energy-Efficient Catering Equipment
The range of commercial cooking equipment to buy is vast and ever-growing. When choosing which ones to invest in, pay attention to the efficiency rating specification. The higher the rating spec, the more energy-efficient the appliance will likely be.
Not only will buying energy-efficient appliances save you money on your energy bills in the long run, but they'll also help to reduce your carbon footprint.
Check out our Top 10 List of Essential Energy Efficient Catering Equipment.
Maintenance is Key
Regular maintenance is key to keeping commercial kitchens running smoothly and efficiently on a day-to-day basis. Keeping on top of maintenance is vital as it not only ensures optimum performance but can help prolong the life of your catering equipment. Rather than just surface clean appliances and surfaces, make sure to pay attention to the finer details. For example:
- Check oven seals to prevent heated air from escaping which will have a detrimental effect on performance and running costs
- Check and clean oven heating elements to make sure they are able to operate to their fullest
- Regularly clean greasy vents to prevent fire hazards and make sure that all ventilation and extraction systems are working properly to create an optimal kitchen environment
- Temperature check your equipment. If appliances aren't achieving set temperatures they will need to work harder to work effectively
Staff Training to Promote Efficient Practices
As well as having energy-efficient commercial cooking equipment, following good maintenance routines, and employing a sensible kitchen layout it's crucial to have a team of staff that understand the way in which their working practices can impact energy efficiency.
In the case of cooking appliances, encourage your team to employ simple measures such as turning off units when they're not in use or setting to stand-by mode if possible, using the correct settings on ovens and cookers, and only running the dishwasher when it's full. These easy changes may only be small but can have big results. By instilling the basics, staff can make a massive difference.
When considering commercial refrigeration, understanding how your appliances work most efficiently is a great way to save. For example, staff should never overfill a freezer as this prevents the cold air from circulating correctly, making it work harder and use more energy. Try to minimise the number of times doors are opened on refrigerated units. This may involve pre-planning the ingredients that are required so that everything needed can be gathered in one visit or making sure refrigeration is kept organised. It's inevitable in a busy kitchen that fridges and freezers will be in regular use however employing sensible practises to optimise use will not only minimise energy waste, but can also increase the life expectancy of equipment.
There are other general areas that can also be addressed. You may want to provide staff training on food waste management. Reducing food waste is good for the environment and can save your commercial kitchen money. Issue reminders that when not in use, lights should be turned off. Also aim to use energy-efficient light fixtures and bulbs where possible for further potential savings. Making one person in charge of turning off extra lighting when a service is over can help you save hard-earned money on energy costs and minimise your carbon footprint.
There are many ways to make your commercial kitchen more energy efficient. By following some of these easy-to-execute tips, you can potentially save money on your energy bills while extending the lifespan of your appliances. Reducing energy consumption doesn't have to be complicated - often, small changes make the biggest difference.