Steelplan’s church kitchen experts share their checklist to help you make sure your kitchen is fit for purpose.
If you have a church kitchen, you need to know that it’s fit for purpose – whether you’re using it to support your congregation, renting it out for external events, or starting a community café.
Depending on how you want to use it, your kitchen may not need to be a fully commercial stainless-steel build, or even particularly large, but it will always need to be clean, safe and easy-to-use.
Our church kitchen experts have helped places of worship throughout the UK to maximise their kitchen space and create safe, hygienic places to keep their congregation – and local communities – fed and watered.
Here, they share their checklist to help you find out whether your kitchen is fit-for-purpose, in need of a few quick fixes, or ready for a full upgrade.
Print out this list, head to your church kitchen, and find out how your kitchen fares.
HYGIENE
Is it easy to keep your kitchen clean?
- Yes
- No
Is your kitchen made from semi-commercial powder-coated stainless steel?
- Yes – it’s a powder-coated steel model
- No – it’s MDF, timber or chipboard
Are counters free from visible seams or joins?
- Yes
- No
Are cabinet doors free from chips, cracks or peeling laminate?
- Yes
- No
Are surfaces (walls, floors etc) free from any peeling paper, paint chips, or loose tiles?
- Yes
- No
Are surfaces free from damp and water damage (especially around the sink or dishwasher)?
- Yes
- No
SPACE
Are you able to tidy all kitchen items away after use (eg, plenty of storage)
- Yes
- No
Is it easy to move around the kitchen?
- Yes
- No
Is your kitchen accessible to everyone (different ages, abilities, etc)
- Yes
- No
Can more than one person safely use the kitchen at any time?
- Yes
- No
Are different areas clearly defined and easy to navigate – eg wet area, cooking and hot equipment, food preparation, refrigeration?
- Yes
- No
SAFETY
Is your kitchen free from trip hazards – broken tiles, floorboards, etc?
- Yes
- No
Are all cabinets, frames, doors and drawers in a good condition (not broken or loose)?
- Yes
- No
Is there enough space to safely use cooking equipment and hot water implements?
- Yes
- No
Are hazardous and/or dangerous items kept out of reach of children or vulnerable adults?
- Yes
- No
Is there enough ventilation?
- Yes
- No
Is there enough light to work by – natural or artificial?
- Yes
- No
Do you have appropriate fire-safety measures (fire blankets, smoke alarms, extinguishers etc)?
- Yes
- No
EASE OF USE
Is the kitchen pleasant and inviting to use (eg, warm, accessible, not intimidating)?
- Yes
- No
Is it easy and intuitive to use for newcomers to the kitchen – eg, people renting out your space or volunteers?
- Yes
- No
Is the kitchen easy to access from your social/communal space? (This is important if you are catering for parties or community events)
- Yes
- No
WHAT’S THE VERDICT ON YOUR KITCHEN?
‘Yes’ to all questions
Your kitchen sounds great, and ready to use for any occasion.
Mostly ‘Yes’
Your kitchen could need some minor repairs, or it could be time for a refit, depending on what questions you answered ‘no’ to. We’d suggest getting expert advice to share their thoughts on the space and what you need to do to get it up to scratch.
Mostly ‘No’
Your kitchen has seen better days, and it’s time for an upgrade – especially if you want to use your kitchen for external events, catering or a community café. Book a consultation with one of our Church Kitchens experts to get friendly advice on how you could improve your space and make a long-lasting investment with a semi-commercial kitchen. They’re longer-lasting and more hygienic than MDF and timber models but, with a range of colours and finishes available, still bring that sense of warmth and friendliness that you need at the heart of your church community.
We design bespoke kitchens for churches of all shapes and sizes, so get in touch with our friendly team today on 0844 809 9186, or by emailing [email protected].
