We have compiled the definitive list of equipment needed to start a bakery and in addition we have also provided a few ideas on financing the equipment needed to start a bakery business. Opening any business is a marathon, not a sprint. Make sure you have a resilient mindset to be able to get through the challenges of getting your bakery off the ground.
Complete List of Tools and Equipment Needed to Start a Bakery
The equipment you need to open your bakery will vary depending on the type you choose to open. Take into consideration its size, niche, and specialty.
Food Prep Equipment
- Work tables: Quality, sturdy tables are the way to go, so your staff can roll out dough and can withstand heavy use.
- Knives: The long blades make cutting large cakes, pies, and pastries easy.
- Cutting boards: From home to professional use, these are a must in any kitchen.
- Pots and pans in various sizes: Dough often has a mind of its own, so make sure you can accommodate large volumes in case of an increase in orders.
- Mixers: Every baker should have at least one mixer for meringues, creams, batter and sauces.
- Mixing bowls: An adequate supply of mixing bowls for prepping is key, especially for small bakeries.
- Food processors: This piece of bakery equipment will save you time you can spend on more important tasks other than crushing nuts or shaving chocolate by hand.
- Blenders: Used to mix a solid fat, like butter, into flour in order to make pastries.
- Proof boxes: This humidity- and temperature-controlled sealed environment enable bakery items to rise effectively.
- Slicers: Crucial to preparing bagels and loaves, among other goods.
- Rolling pins: Evenly flatten everything from pie and pastry doughs to cookie and pasta doughs.
- Dough rolling mats: In addition to cookie work, baking mats can line baking sheets for freezing stuff, roasting vegetables, and rolling out pie dough.
- Muffin tins: Hold batters or mixes while they bake in the oven.
- Spatulas: Frosting cakes and to spread toppings or mixtures smoothly over the food being prepared.
- Piping set for cake decorating: Decorate or create special shapes by squeezing paste-like mixtures through the tip.
- Measuring cups: A must-have for most bakers, used to measure ingredients such as oil, sugar, and flour.
- Measuring spoons: Used for measuring small, exact amounts of ingredients.
- Baking scales: Digital scales with different measuring capacities to measure ingredients in a convenient way, in grams and ounces.
Baking Equipment
- Ovens: The most important piece of bakery equipment you require. Don't cut corners with this one. Invest in a quality, airtight oven that's true to temperature.
- Ranges, Grills, and Ventilation: Proper ventilation of cooking equipment provides for employee comfort; protects equipment, finishes, and food from excess heat or moisture.
- Microwaves: Regular cooking, de-frosting, re-heating, and even for some instant mug cakes.
Storage Equipment
- Freezer: Store perishable food to make it last longer.
- Refrigerator: Control ingredient and dough temperature.
- Shelves: Help cool a baker's goods such as hot pies, breads, and pastries.
- Storage containers: Keep your ingredients fresh, especially when you're dealing with large quantities of flour, sugar, and other staple ingredients.
- Carts and/or mobile racks: A lot of baked goods need to cool. Use racks to leave space on the counters for your staff to roll out the next batch of goods.
Cleaning Equipment
- Dishwashers: Save time by washing dozens of pots, pans, glasses, and so forth at once.
- Sinks: Sinks are major components of every commercial kitchen, they're used for washing hands, washing and/or preparing food, and washing utensils, equipment and cookware.
- Buckets for sanitizer: Hold sanitizer in a clean, contained, easy to access container.
- Bar rags: Wipe off stemware, liquid spills, and food stains.
- Food grade chemical cleaners: Safely and effectively disinfect surfaces where food is processed.
Safety Equipment
- Gloves: Protect your staff from heat hazards in the kitchen.
- Aprons: A guard that saves clothes from getting stained.
- Hairnets: Keep hair from contacting exposed food as well as keep clean, sanitized equipment, utensils and linens.
- First aid kit: It may come in handy if one of your staff members gets cut while at work.
- Date labels: Use By Dates relate to the food's safety and are the most important date to remember.
- Chemical safety data sheets: Describe the hazards of the chemical present, and give information on handling, storage, and emergency measures in case of an accident.
Display Equipment
- Display case: Entice people into buying your baked goods.
- Food packaging: Keep your products fresh inside while promoting your brand with a special design.
- Serving trays: Displaying and serving pastries, cakes, cookies, and other baked goods.
- Cake stands: Used for serving cake and other pastries.
Business Necessities
- Restaurant point of sale system: Software designed to accept and process transactions via credit card, debit card, cash, contactless, and mobile payments.
- Kitchen display system: A digital screen system that manages customer orders for restaurants.
- Computer: Streamline your bakery’s admin work with this must-have item.
- Printer: From contracts to recipes, you’ll often need to print documents.
- Accounting software: Easily maintain account books on your computer, including recording transactions and account balances.
- Filing cabinets: Store paper documents in file folders.
Furniture
If you've decided to offer dine-in service, make sure you purchase the following key items:
- Tables
- Chairs
- Plates
- Cutlery
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