Why is a semi-commercial kitchen best for your church? Because it blends all the best bits of domestic and commercial kitchens, while negating the disadvantages of both – here, we explain how.

When looking for a new church kitchen, you might already be asking yourself some key questions – how many people am I serving after services? What kind of appliances do I need, or what needs replacing? Should I go with wooden or steel countertops?

The answer to these questions help reveal what type of kitchen you need in your church. Do you want a domestic kitchen that wouldn’t look out of place at home, or a commercial kitchen that is built to last and support rapid delivery of food and drink to lots of people? Or perhaps you need something in between – a semi-commercial kitchen that’s both welcoming and durable, making your congregation feel welcome while being able to withstand the weekly scramble for tea, coffee and catering needs.

Domestic and commercial kitchens have different strengths and weaknesses. Below, we explain what these are and highlight how a semi-commercial kitchen can bridge the gap, creating a durable, hygienic and efficient kitchen for your church that is also a stylish and welcoming place to be.

What is a domestic kitchen?

Picture the standard kitchen you’d find in any residential home – a kitchen that’s generally designed to store, prepare and cook enough food for three meals a day for personal consumption, or for dinners with friends and family. You’re thinking of a domestic kitchen.

A domestic kitchen has all the usual suspects – a small to medium-sized fridge freezer, an oven, a microwave, kettle and toaster. Domestic kitchens are less costly, easier to use and more familiar and approachable for volunteers, and they are also nice to look at. What it doesn’t have is the equipment required to produce large quantities of food for hundreds of people at a moment’s notice. It’s not able to turn around vast volumes of hot water to serve an entire congregation hot drinks in a pinch, or wash up dishes, plates and mugs fast enough so they can be turned around for large gatherings. And it’s not built to withstand a huge amount of wear and tear.

Domestic kitchens often feature wooden or MDF worktops and cabinets that can be damaged by water and get chipped and cracked over time. Wooden cabinets can also harbour insects and bacteria, and domestic kitchens don’t usually feature secure COSHH cupboards to protect kids from hazardous materials. They might look homely and comfortable, but domestic kitchens aren’t durable over a long period and in a busy church environment often need to be replaced after 5 years or so.

What is a commercial kitchen?

Commercial kitchens churn out large quantities of food and drink as safely and efficiently as possible and meet all health and safety regulations required for a church kitchen. They contain easy-to-clean, professional equipment made with stainless steel, fridges that cool food quickly and ovens that reach far higher temperatures to get food out rapidly. They’ll also have multiple sinks for washing separate items, sanitising hands or equipment or preparing vegetables. And best of all, they are made from durable materials that last longer.

Commercial kitchens offer more space for appliances, staff and storage and allow you to quickly and efficiently cook and clean for the masses. The downside is they don’t have the style or the domestic feel you want in a church kitchen. Stainless steel worktops and cabinets don’t make for the most appealing place to have a coffee after a service – so what’s the answer? Allow us to explain…

What is a semi-commercial kitchen?

We’ve covered what domestic and commercial kitchens can do. But what if you could get all the benefits of a domestic kitchen and a commercial kitchen, with none of the downsides?

That’s what a semi-commercial kitchen does. By bridging the gap between practicality and style, semi-commercial kitchens are perfect for a church environment. You’ll get the durability, hygiene and efficiency of a commercial kitchen while creating a stylish place for volunteers to work and members of the parish to gather.

Semi-commercial kitchens are easy to clean, impervious to water and offer a safe, easy-to-use cooking environment. When fitted with powder-coated steel worktops, they are incredibly fire resistant and in the event of a fire they prevent toxic fumes from being emitted.

And the best part? No matter the size or shape of your current facilities, Steelplan Kitchens can design and install a semi-commercial kitchen to suit your requirements.

Steelplan Kitchens has years of experience building kitchens spanning the commercial and domestic spectrum – which is why we’re in the best possible position to guide you through your kitchen renovation. Our semi-commercial steel kitchens don’t just offer strength and durability to outlast any wood or MDF kitchen – they are also stylish, welcoming and warm. In other words, they are the perfect solution to your kitchen.

To find out how a semi-commercial kitchen could be the right fit for you, get in touch with one of our friendly kitchen design specialists today on 0844 809 9186 or email us at [email protected]