If you manage any kind of community centre – from a quaint village hall to a bustling ‘community hub’ in a city, you’ll know how important a kitchen can be to serving your community. Yet when it comes to choosing a kitchen to fit into your premises, how can you be sure you’re selecting the right type of kitchen for the space?
Most people think that there are two types of kitchen to choose from: domestic or commercial. Yet both of these can feel like a compromise for a community centre, with one lacking the warm aesthetic needed in a community space, and the other lacking the durability needed for intensive, long-term use.
Luckily, there is a third option: a semi-commercial kitchen. Here, we list the pros and cons of each of the three types of kitchen to help you make a better, more informed kitchen investment.
- Domestic kitchens
Domestic kitchens are, quite simply, just like your kitchen at home. They’re usually made of wood or MDF, and they come in all sorts of styles, which can be tempting when you are set on creating a certain look and ‘feel’ in your space.
However, while a domestic kitchen is fine for use at home – where it mostly experiences light use, by the same people, day in, day out – it just isn’t cut out for use in any kind of commercial setting.
Due to the materials they are made from and, often, their build quality, they aren’t typically hard-wearing: they’re easily damaged or marked by spills, moisture or frequent use. Once wear and tear starts to take its toll, these kitchens quickly lose their hygiene and safety criteria. Porous materials like wood and MDF start to trap bacteria, while damage to cupboards and doors pose some significant safety hazards, especially if the kitchen is being used by renters or volunteers. This means that if you want to run a regular food service, host large events, or welcome people to rent your kitchen, a domestic kitchen won’t be suitable.
- Commercial Kitchens
Commercial kitchens are those you’ll find in restaurants and trade caterers – and you might have considered them for your community space due to their durability.
They’re made of stainless steel, so they’re long lasting and easy to clean. Where a domestic kitchen might need repairs after a lot of use, the same can’t be said for a commercial kitchen, with solid frameworks and sterile surfaces making it easy to clean and keep in good shape.
It’s a perfect kitchen if you need to provide regular onsite catering with a dedicated, trained team of professionals – but it’s not the best option if your kitchen is going to be used by untrained or semi-trained volunteers, or people casually renting out your space. For one, it’s an expensive investment, and secondly they can appear hostile and intimidating: not exactly creating the welcoming community vibe you’re trying to achieve.
Is there a happy medium between the comfortable, welcoming feel of a domestic kitchen, and the hard-wearing durability of a commercial kitchen?
- Semi-commercial kitchens – just the right fit
You might not have heard of a semi-commercial kitchen, but you might already have guessed where this is heading.
A semi-commercial kitchen has the best features of both a domestic and a commercial kitchen:
- They’re durable, long-lasting and easy to clean because they’re made of powder-coated Zintec Mild steel.
- They’re warmer and more welcoming than industrial kitchens, as elements can be designed like a home kitchen, with customisable, colourful cabinets.
Lastly, they’re also very easy to install: they’re made to measure, and once you receive the steel ‘carcass’, professional installers will find them quick and easy to fit. You’ll still have the option of installing restaurant-grade appliances, such as commercial ovens, dishwashers or wall-mounted water heaters, without being committed to installing a full commercial set-up.
All in all, it’s a versatile kitchen that lets you handle both everyday cooking and more intensive catering without the drawbacks of a domestic or an industrial kitchen.
If you’re a manager of a community centre and you’re looking to upgrade, or even install a kitchen for the first time, a semi-commercial kitchen could be exactly what you are looking for.
If you want to learn more. get in contact today with our friendly team today by calling 0844 809 9186 or sending an email to [email protected]
