If you work in a commercial kitchen, you know firsthand the wide variety of equipment used daily. In few other workplaces are you surrounded by fire, hot water, and sharp objects at all times. When you make a new hire, you want your new employee to feel competent and comfortable in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment of a commercial kitchen. To set your new employees up for success, we recommend streamlining their orientation by providing practical, relevant information about kitchen equipment, such as the following.
1. Collect and Share Helpful Tips
When you’ve worked in one kitchen for a long time, you may already know its small quirks. You may automatically pull a sticky freezer door with extra force, or you might know that the top left burner on the range is broken. When new employees step into a kitchen, they don’t have access to this accumulated knowledge.
To make an “insider’s guide” to your kitchen, move from each piece of equipment to the next, offering any tips or tricks you can pass on. (If you find yourself with a long list,
it may be time to schedule a service appointment.) Collect, compile, and post this information in your kitchen for easy reference. This can go a long way in helping new employees get up to speed and adjust quickly to a new environment.
2. Train New Employees to Report Equipment Issues Quickly
Kitchen staff are all-stars at improvising and adapting to get tasks accomplished. However, they should also feel empowered to report any equipment issues ASAP. In a commercial kitchen, neglected or broken equipment can be a safety hazard, so it’s especially important that employees keep track of any malfunctioning equipment. Employees should keep an eye out for temperatures on coolers and freezers, leaks from a dishwasher, unusual smells, or equipment that isn’t working well.
In commercial kitchens, small issues can be indicators of much larger problems. Cultivate an environment where your employees aren’t afraid to deliver unpleasant news. If they do, early reporting can save you money in the long run.
3. Teach New Employees to Care for your Equipment
Proper cleaning can go a long way in preserving the life of your commercial kitchen equipment. New kitchen staff may not know the correct protocol for using and
keeping equipment clean and maintained. Schedule a new employee orientation during a lull in kitchen service. During the orientation, walk new employees through the cleaning process for each major piece of equipment they’ll be using.
If it’s helpful, you may also be able to allow them to observe the closing crew cleaning the entire kitchen. Be sure to let them know what products must be used for each type of equipment. Since this information can be a lot to keep in mind,
consider posting cleaning protocols
near ovens and ranges. It may also be helpful to schedule quarterly maintenance visits for your major appliances. Keeping things clean will cut down on your need for expensive fixes that stem from grease build-up.
ATECH Provides High-Level Support for Commercial Kitchen Equipment
Next to your employees, your commercial kitchen equipment is the most important part of your team. Make sure it’s performing at its best by scheduling an equipment maintenance check-up with ATECH. We can assess your equipment and suggest a
planned maintenance schedule
to prevent unexpected breakdowns. ATECH is committed to repairing and maintaining your equipment quickly, efficiently, and effectively. To help you keep a regular schedule for servicing your commercial kitchen equipment,
reach out to us for a planned maintenance visit
today.
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