We spend lots of time trying to decide what to eat, what menus to create, what recipes to design but I bet most of us rarely give any thought to how we prepare or cook our food.
From the food you buy to the way it’s cooked and stored, you can save energy, reduce your carbon footprint and keep an eye on your budget in many different ways. So, this blog is to help anyone looking at their current kitchen within their setting/s and wondering how to make it more sustainable…
The first thing to consider is which supplier you are going to work with to help complete this project. You need a
company who share the same values as you and your setting and the same goal for your eco kitchen. Tops Day
Nurseries recently worked with Aspen, one of the leading catering equipment suppliers in the South West, to modify a kitchen located at Tops Wimborne. Together they identified the current limitations of the kitchen and what can be adapted to provide long term longevity and ensure the kitchen is prepared to catering for growing numbers, producing great quality food in a safe and sustainable manner. This is the first, important step when looking into modifying your kitchen at your setting.
Once you have your supplier on board and you have discussed your vision and the design for the kitchen, you now have to decide on the equipment you want, this is by far the most important part of turning your kitchen sustainable. Selection of equipment has to factor in: sustainability and the natural world impact during the manufacturing process, energy efficiency, cleaning/sanitising chemicals required whilst ensuring your budget is met.
Note: Some of your equipment already in your kitchen might be perfectly fine and already inline with your sustainable goal, just ensure it is serviceable and useable.
It is important that you take your time when choosing equipment, even though there is so much choice out there you need to ensure that it is the perfect choice for your vision and you aren’t just ordering stuff to tick off your checklist.
To help you with your search we have listed some equipment that Tops Day Nurseries chose when they refurbished their kitchen.
Tops Kitchen Equipment
Eco Pro G3 Refrigeration- Foster Refrigeration Ltd
-Utilises hyper efficient thermal insulation, digital touch-screen-style hygienic thermostat, StayClear+ low maintenance condenser. Enhance fluid-mechanical design to increase useable, internal storage.
-Manufactured in the UK with UK produced components. Hygienic stainless-steel outer and worktop. A Energy Rating. Lockable casters for safety and easy move-to-clean. Additional internal shelving FOC through Aspen Services. Down to temperature (2 Degrees C) from ambient within 22 minutes of install.
Hygienic Modular 3 Tier Racking (Insert System) Fermostock by Fermod Ltd.
-Immensely strong aluminum frame (Up to 100kg per shelf). 12 adjustable shelf height positions. Movable, interconnectable and height adjustable. Legs can be cut on-site to factor awkward install locations and flooring undulations.
-Lightweight aluminium frame. Packaged in 100% recyclable packaging. Shelves have a life expectancy of 25+ years and are made of a recycled plastic and composite blend. Sectional shelving can be cleaned through a standard commercial dishwasher.
Bespoke, fully welded stainless steel tables with under-shelving- Designed by Aspen Services Ltd
-100% bespoke, fully welded and made to order. Height adjustable feet. Sealed and beaded where required. -Cheaper and more robust than bolt-together items found online.
-UK Manufactured within 50 miles of Aspen HQ in a state-of-the-art highly-efficient fabrication facility.
Bespoke, fully welded stainless steel shelf / pan rail- Designed by Aspen Services Ltd
-100% bespoke, fully welded and made to order. Height adjustable feet. Sealed and beaded where required.
-Cheaper and more robust than bolt-together items found online UK Manufactured within 50 miles of Aspen HQ in a state-of-the-art highly-efficient fabrication facility.
Icombi Pro 6-1/1 (on Stand Type II) Combi Steamer- Rational UK Ltd; Rational AG
-Adaptive GUI. Automatic ‘sleep’ mode. Self-Cleaning. Triple glazed glass. Automatic HACCP and core temperature recording. WiFi enabled monitoring, remote control and HACCP reporting. 2 year warranty. Free on-site comprehensive training scheme (through Aspen Services). 24/7 UK culinary support. Over 90% recyclable materials used in production. Sulphur free cleaning chemicals pose no danger to aquatic life. Energy Star energy rated. WRAS approved. Save time, water and energy by over 30%.
-We utilise real operational costs to ascertain an accurate amortisation report. Return on investment within the warranty period. Unsurpassed customer and culinary support ensure consistency and reliability every working day.
Bespoke surface mounted 3 tier storage gantries- Designed by Aspen Services Ltd
-100% bespoke, fully welded and made to order. Counterbalanced to ensure structural rigidity and no risk to tipping.
-As a distribution and installation partner of Foster Refrigeration, we are able to affix certain structures to the work counters without invalidating any warranties. The joints are always beaded and sealed to prevent water ingress and promote best hygiene practice.
The kitchens within Tops are all predominantly electric meaning they use no fossil fuels. The fridges which operate within the kitchen are all eco friendly and use far less energy than a traditional commercial fridge, whilst offering the option of storing more food within them meaning far less energy is used. All these changes increase kitchen profitability as well as lowering our carbon footprint.
