Countertop Cooking’s Conundrum

‘less-than’ performance option that leaves operators having to settle.

Quite the contrary. Countertop cooking equipment is available to fit a range of budgets and performance demands. Some innovations even offer unique capabilities not found in conventional cooking appliances.

The question is: Do any of these higher-end models make sense?

Well, it depends.

Here are 3 case scenarios when investing in a higher-quality countertop cooking unit might be wise.

Invest in Equipment Quality for Higher-Volume Countertop Cooking

Lower-priced “economy” units often make perfect sense in operations trying to launch or moderately expand their menus.

Think of temporary or special-event operations like concession stands, or operations where food is a secondary add-on to a different primary retail offering, such as coffee shops or location-based entertainment venues (though, in many respects, even these enterprises ought to think like restaurants).

For foodservice-centric operations, however, especially those in high-traffic markets, crossing all dayparts or leveraging smaller and mobile kitchen opportunities, countertop equipment quality is paramount to minimize the otherwise high risk of downtime.

Spec for fewer parts, hardened electronics, stainless steel or hard-alloy components, tempered glass and other features designed specifically for dependability. Scrutinize for less obvious fit & finish aspects as well, such as hinges, pinions & joints and closure seals.

And, by the way, if asking the equipment to be up for high-volume use, be sure to optimize energy efficiency to offset costs.

Invest in Equipment Capability for More Dynamic Countertop Cooking

It might be a case of finding a space-saving addition to a full equipment arsenal for a brand built on food quality and menu innovation.

Or it could be a need for a cooking dynamo that can anchor a mobile, urban, drive-thru-only or other confined kitchen operation.

Or it could be both, in the form of, say, an upscale, on-site catering service.

In situations like these, cooking performance is a priority worth paying for and justifies limiting the search to only opportunities that allow for equipment testing, ideally to your menu and, if possible, in your operation.

Particularly in those confined-kitchen scenarios, it’s equally critical—if not more so—to spec for cooking versatility.

Invest in Equipment Simplicity for User-Friendly Countertop Cooking

So far in 2024, the foodservice labor market appears to be normalizing with many key statistics returning to, or even rising above, pre-pandemic levels.

Nonetheless, youth, inexperience and turnover will always be facets of hiring that will challenge operators.

Particularly when the first two case scenarios are in play—volume and cooking capability—it’s wise to spend more on countertop cooking equipment designed to simplify operation and minimize training time.

Preprogramming that reduces multiple cooking procedures down to a push of a button, automated responses that compensate for absent-mindedness, and cleaning features like non-stick food contact surfaces are all value-adds that will likely cost more. But they’re worth it.