Smallwares are the pans, utensils, boards, containers and tools that make a kitchen work. Each item looks minor, but together they add up, and they wear out, break and walk away faster than big equipment. A smallwares budget built from your menu keeps you from overbuying on day one and scrambling on day thirty.
Shop the equipment in this article: 1/3 size 6″ deep steam table pans, 1/6 size 4″ deep steam table pans and Thunder Group PLIB010S 10 gallon ingredient bin. Freight is included on every order.
What Counts As Smallwares
- Cookware: stock pots, sauce pans, saute pans, roasting pans.
- Food storage and holding: steam table pans, ingredient bins, food storage containers.
- Prep tools: cutting boards, knives, colanders, strainers, whisks, ladles, tongs.
- Measuring: scales, measuring cups, portion scoops.
- Service: platters, dinnerware, serving utensils.
- Cleaning: bus tubs, dish racks, scrub brushes.
Build the List from the Menu
Walk through every menu item from receiving to plating. Write down every tool it touches. A braised short rib may need a roasting pan, a stock pot, a strainer, a hotel pan for holding, tongs and a ladle. Repeat for every dish, then combine duplicates.
Calculate Quantities with the Par Method
For each item, count how many are in use at peak, how many are in the dish pit at the same time, and a spare. A common approach is to plan for three sets of anything that cycles through dishwashing: one in use, one being washed, one clean and ready.
Steam table pans are a good example. Count pans on the line and in the reach-ins during service, then add enough to cover the dish cycle. Mix sizes to fit your layout: 1/3 size 6″ deep steam table pans hold larger batches, while 1/6 size 4″ deep steam table pans suit garnishes on a prep rail.
Prioritize by Role
- Tier 1, needed to open: pans, boards, knives, storage, scales and basic utensils.
- Tier 2, needed within the first month: extra pans and containers once you see real volume.
- Tier 3, nice to have: specialty tools for menu items that are still being tested.
Buy Tier 1 fully, buy Tier 2 lightly, and wait on Tier 3 until you know what sells.
Do Not Skip the Basics That Protect Food Safety
Color-coded cutting boards help prevent cross-contact between raw proteins and ready-to-eat foods. A set like the Thunder Group PLCB181205MX 18″ x 12″ color-coded cutting board set of 6 gives you a board for each category. Covered ingredient bins keep flour, sugar and rice clean and off the floor, such as the Thunder Group PLIB010S 10 gallon ingredient bin.
Include Measuring Tools
Portion control protects your food cost. A portion scale like the Thunder Group SCSL002 5 lb flat platform portion scale at each prep station makes recipes consistent. A receiving scale lets you check deliveries against invoices.
Plan for Replacement
Smallwares have short lives. Boards get scored, pans get dented, tongs disappear. Set a monthly replacement line in your budget. Track what you replace for three months, then adjust the line to match reality. A common way to size it is as a small percentage of sales, set with your accountant, then refined with your own data.
Ways to Stretch the Budget
- Standardize sizes so pans, lids and containers are interchangeable.
- Buy heavy-duty items for high-abuse tasks, like an Thunder Group ALSKSP004 20 qt aluminum stock pot for daily stock and pasta.
- Label and store tools at each station so they stay put.
- Count smallwares monthly, the same way you count food.
Next Steps
Build your menu-based list this week and sort it into three tiers. Then shop smallwares and cookware to fill Tier 1. Questions? Contact Express KitchQuip and we will help you pick the right size and configuration.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
1/3 Size 6″ Deep Stainless Steel Steam Table / Hotel Pan
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Heavy-Duty Construction: Built from high-quality, corrosion-resistant stainless steel for long-lasting use.
- Anti-Jam Design: Features tapered sides for easy stacking and hassle-free removal, saving you precious storage space.
- Optimal Temperature Retention: Excellent heat conductivity for hot holding and quick cooling for cold storage.
1/6 Size 4″ Deep Stainless Steel Steam Table / Hotel Pan
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Commercial-Grade Stainless Steel: High-quality construction that stands up to heavy daily use without rusting or corroding.
- Efficient Anti-Jam Design: Specially designed to stack without sticking, allowing for quick retrieval and space-saving storage.
- Temperature Control: High thermal conductivity keeps food at safe serving temperatures longer.
Thunder Group PLCB181205MX 18″ x 12″ x 1/2″, Color Coded Cutting Board with Non-Absorbent and Non-Skid Surface, Set of 6 Assorted Colors – Set (model PLCB181205MX)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold per set.
- Thunder Group model PLCB181205MX.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Thunder Group PLIB010S 10 Gallon (150 Cups), 19-1/4″ x 23-3/8″ x 17″ (model PLIB010S)
- Brand: Thunder Group
Thunder Group SCSL002 5 lb Flat Platform Portion Scale (model SCSL002)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- 5 lb capacity flat platform scale.
- Zero-adjust dial for consistent readings.
- Coated iron construction.
Thunder Group ALSKSP004 20 qt, 12-1/4″ Diameter x 11″ Height, 1-5/8″ Riveted Handle, Stock Pot, Aluminum, 4mm Thickness, Easy to Clean (model ALSKSP004)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold individually.
- Thunder Group model ALSKSP004.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.