A well-run commercial kitchen is not just about cooking great food—it’s equally about safety, cleanliness, and efficiency. In addition to your skill and dexterity in prepping and cooking, you also need to be skillful and dexterous in tackling pests, fixing plumbing, and ensuring food safety.
Let's discuss some essential health and safety tips, plus practical solutions for common kitchen problems like ants, clogged sinks, and faucet replacements.
Health and Safety Essentials in a Commercial Kitchen
1. Keep Food at Safe Temperatures
- Cold food should be stored at 40°F (4°C) or below.
- Hot food must stay at 140°F (60°C) or higher.
- Thawing should always be done in the refrigerator, under cold running water, or in a microwave—never at room temperature.
2. Prevent Cross-Contamination
- Use color-coded cutting boards to cut different kinds of food (red for raw meat, green for vegetables, etc.).
- Store foods in the commercial refrigerator at the proper order: raw meats must be below ready-to-eat foods to prevent drips.
- Sanitize work surfaces after handling raw ingredients.
3. Maintain Proper Hygiene
- Make sure everyone washes their hands frequently, especially after handling raw food.
- Anyone handling ready-to-eat foods must wear gloves and change them regularly.
- Long nails, and any kind of jewelry that could contaminate food must be promptly dealt with.
4. Pay Attention to Fire and Electrical Safety
- Keep fire extinguishers accessible and ensure that all staff is trained to use them.
- Grease traps and ventilation hoods must always be cleaned up to prevent fires.
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets with multiple appliances.
5. Take Measures to Prevent Slips and Falls
- Use anti-slip mats in wet areas of the kitchen.
- Clean spills immediately and use "Wet Floor" signs.
- Employees should wear non-slip shoes.
6. Ensure Proper Ventilation
- Clean ventilation hoods and exhaust systems regularly.
- Maintain proper airflow to keep the kitchen cool and odor-free.
Getting Rid of Ants in a Kitchen
Ants in a commercial kitchen, or any kitchen, can be a serious problem. In addition to being a serious health code violation, ants can damage the reputation of your restaurant, contaminate the food, and disrupt productivity.
How to Get Rid of Ants in a Kitchen
Here’s how to eliminate ants from your kitchen:
- Find the Source: Follow the major ant trail to locate their entry point.
- Seal Cracks & Gaps: Use caulk to block the opening, and any other openings in windows, doors, and walls.
- Use Natural Repellents: Spray a mixture of vinegar and water, or sprinkle cinnamon or diatomaceous earth along the ant trails.
- Set Ant Baits: If the colony is large, use commercial ant baits to target the colony.
- Deep Clean Surfaces: Wipe down counters, floors, and sinks regularly.
If the infestation persists, promptly call Pest Control.
How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink
A clogged sink can slow down kitchen operations. Here are some quick fix methods to unclog your kitchen sink:
i. Use Boiling Water
Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain to dissolve grease and soap buildup.
ii. Use Baking Soda & Vinegar
- Pour ½ cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.
iii. Use a Plunger
Position over the drain, plunge vigorously for 30 seconds, and check if the water drains.
iv. Use a Drain Snake
- Insert and rotate to break up clogs.
- If none of these methods work, you may need to remove and clean the P-trap under the sink.
How to Replace a Kitchen Faucet
A faulty faucet can disrupt kitchen efficiency, and even pose a safety threat to those using the kitchen.
Here’s how to replace your kitchen faucet:
Tools You Need
✔ An Adjustable wrench✔ A Basin wrench✔ A Plumber’s tape✔ A Bucket & towels
Replacing Your Kitchen Faucet
- Turn off water supply: Shut off hot and cold-water valves under the sink.
- Disconnect supply lines: Use a wrench to loosen and remove the water supply lines.
- Remove the old faucet: Loosen the mounting nuts and lift out the old faucet.
- Install the new faucet: Place the new faucet in the mounting holes and secure it.
- Reconnect water supply: Attach hot and cold-water lines.
- Test for leaks: Turn on water and tighten connections if needed.
How to Clean a Kitchen Sink Drain
You clean a kitchen sink drain by pouring half a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar. However, if there is grease buildup, you may have to use boiling water.
Use these tips when cleaning your sink drain:
- Pour ½ cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar.
- Let sit for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.
- For grease buildup, pour boiling water + dish soap to break down the grease.
- For deep Cleaning, use a drain snake to remove debris.
Prevention Tips
- Never pour grease down the drain.
- Install a drain strainer to catch food scraps.
- Clean the drain weekly to prevent clogs.
How to Install a Kitchen Faucet
If you’re installing a brand-new kitchen faucet (not just replacing an old one), follow these steps:
Tools You Need
- An Adjustable wrench
- Plumber’s tape
- Basin wrench
- A Drill (if you need to make new holes)
Steps to Install a Kitchen Faucet
- Turn Off Water Supply – Shut off the water valves.
- Check Mounting Holes – If your sink doesn’t have pre-drilled holes, you may need to drill them.
- Position the Faucet – Insert it into the holes and secure it underneath.
- Connect Water Supply Lines – Use plumber’s tape on the threads to prevent leaks.
- Turn on Water & Test for Leaks – Run water and check for drips.
About Us
Wilprep's Kitchen provides top quality kitchen equipment for your commercial kitchen. Our collections include various sizes of reach-in refrigerators, display refrigerators and open-air merchandisers and many others
In addition to top-quality refrigerators, Wilprep also has other kinds of kitchen equipment to take your business to the next level. Check out Wilprep’s commercial convection ovens, commercial gas ranges, and even soup kettles.
