Opening a kitchen or restocking one means buying dozens of small tools. Forget one and your cooks improvise with the wrong tool, which slows service and can be unsafe. This checklist groups the utensils most commercial kitchens need, with tips on quantity and what to look for.
How to Use This Checklist
Go station by station: prep, grill, fry, saute, pantry, pastry and dish. For each station, list the tools cooks reach for during service, then add backups so one tool can be washed while another is in use. A common rule is two to three of each high-use tool per station.
Prep Tools
- Chef’s knives, paring knives, serrated knives and a boning knife
- Knife sharpener or honing steel
- Cutting boards in several sizes and colors
- Mixing bowls in small, medium and large sizes
- Vegetable peelers and graters
- Colanders and strainers
- Measuring cups, measuring spoons and scales
- Can opener
Thunder Group SLKF42142 paring knife, 3-1/4″ blade
Waring WKS800 electric knife sharpener with 3 wheels
Thunder Group IRTC014 14″ table mounted cast iron can opener
Thunder Group ALHDCO101 12 qt heavy duty colander
Thunder Group SLKCP210 3 qt fine mesh bouillon strainer
Thunder Group IRFFC001 french fry cutter set with 1/4″ blade
Cooking Line Tools
- Tongs in several lengths
- Turners and spatulas, including a solid turner for the griddle
- Ladles in several sizes for portioning sauces and soup
- Kitchen spoons, solid and slotted
- Whisks
- Spider skimmers and fry baskets
- Probe thermometers
Serving and Portioning
- Portion spoons and spoodles, color-coded by size
- Serving scoops and disher scoops
- Squeeze bottles for sauces
- Pan lids and steam table pan supports
Pastry Tools
- Rolling pins
- Bench scrapers
- Pastry brushes
- Piping bags and tips
- Sheet pans and cooling racks
Safety and Sanitation
- Thermometers, cut gloves and oven mitts
- Sanitizer buckets and test strips
- Color-coded cloths for cleaning
- Floor squeegees and mops
Choosing Quality Tools
Stainless steel tools last longest and survive dish machines. Look for one-piece or welded construction that has no crevices where food can hide. Handles should be heat resistant and comfortable. Color-coded handles help separate raw and ready-to-eat tools.
Storage
Store tools where they are used. Use utensil crocks, magnetic knife strips, wall racks and drawer organizers. Keep knives in racks or sheaths, never loose in a drawer.
Budgeting Your Time, Not Just Your Money
Order smallwares early when opening a kitchen. They are easy to forget until a cook asks for a fine strainer during a practice service. Run a mock service with your full menu before opening and write down every tool someone had to hunt for. That list becomes your final order. Recheck the list every few months, since tools wander off, wear out and menus change.
Cleaning
Wash, rinse and sanitize utensils after each use, and at least every 4 hours in continuous use under common health code practice. Air dry. Replace tools with cracks, loose rivets or damaged coatings.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- What tools does each station reach for during service?
- How many backups do I need per tool?
- Do I need color-coded tools for allergens or raw protein?
- Where will each tool be stored at its station?
- Can my dish machine handle these materials?
Next Steps
Browse tools in our kitchen utensils category and see more in smallwares. Questions? Contact Express KitchQuip and we will help you pick the right tools for your kitchen.
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.
Thunder Group SLKF42142 Paring Knife, 3-1/4″ Blade, Assorted Color handle, 42 Piece/Pack, NSF – Pack Of 42 (model SLKF42142)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold per pack of 42.
- Thunder Group model SLKF42142.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Waring WKS800 Electric Knife Sharpener w/ 3 Wheels & Magnetized Drawer (model WKS800)
- Brand: Waring
- Electric Knife Sharpener
- Coarse, fine, stropping
- Magnetized shavings drawer
Thunder Group IRTC014 14in Table Mounted Cast Iron Can Opener Opens 10in Cans (model IRTC014)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold individually.
- Thunder Group model IRTC014.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Thunder Group ALHDCO101 12 qt, 15-1/4″ Diameter x 7-1/4″ Height, Heavy Duty Colander with Handles and Base, Aluminum (model ALHDCO101)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold individually.
- Thunder Group model ALHDCO101.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Thunder Group SLKCP210 3 qt Fine Mesh Bouillon Strainer 18/8 Stainless Steel (model SLKCP210)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold individually.
- Thunder Group model SLKCP210.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Thunder Group IRFFC001 15-3/4″ x 8″ x 12-3/4″, Square French Fry Cutter Set with 1/4″ Blade and Pusher, Cast Iron (model IRFFC001)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold individually.
- Thunder Group model IRFFC001.
- 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.