From the warmers used to protect food, to table napkins and seasonal decorations, it takes a lot of supplies to run a successful catering business.
However, when these items aren’t being used, where do you store them? In the restaurant or catering business, space is without doubt, money.
Note that any space that’s used for storage takes away table space. So these days, restaurants and catering businesses are beginning to use storage unit rental as an alternative.
It is a popular fact that self-storage is an easy, safe and convenient way for businesses to store excess office equipment, inventory and documents.
Businesses can use storage unit rental in a variety of ways from a small closet-size storage unit to a storage unit that is set-up and organized for document storage or even used as a shipping area for small companies.
All types of businesses, contractors or even large corporations are great matches for business storage solutions. Another type of business that can easily store items in a self-storage unit are caterers.
With a storage unit rental, caterers can store restaurant or catering supplies close to their business where they can easily reach it.
For any business, but more so for those that need restaurant equipment and catering storage, it is always pertinent to keep a comprehensive list of things in storage. This helps you keep track of what you have and what you might need for future engagements.
Many restaurants and catering businesses will celebrate various seasons through decorations. Since these items aren’t up year round, it’s quite crucial to have a location to store them during the off-season.
A storage unit rental allows restaurants to fully embrace each holiday while not cluttering the restaurant with decorations once the season is over.
In addition, during the busy season, you may need more dinnerware, glasses, napkins than you need when it’s not the busy season. A storage unit rental allows caterers to stay flexible with the seasonality, while still having enough dinnerware for everyone.
10 Practical Tips for Storing Catering Equipment and Supplies
For a very long time, storage unit rental has offered great storage solution for catering businesses, especially those that work out of their home.
Caterers can leverage a number of different self-storage unit sizes to store excess equipment and supplies they do not have room for.
As a caterer, it is important to properly store your catering equipment and supplies to ensure they’re ready to go when you need them.
1. Only store clean and dry items
This is indeed the very first tip to have in mind as it is very important. If the serving dishes, dinnerware, chairs or tables aren’t clean and dry, don’t store them in a storage unit. Storing equipment or supplies that’s either dirty or not entirely dry can result in a mould or mildew outbreak in your storage unit.
2. Put the FIFO rule into practice
The FIFO (first in, first out) rule is designed to help preserve both the quality and safety of food. When new food shipments arrive, it is advisable that the newer goods should be stored behind the older ones to make sure the older items are used first. This rule should be followed for both dry and cold food storage.
3. Put the date on all food products you receive
Putting date on all food products will not only help you make sure you are using the FIFO rule effectively, but will remind you how long you have had the food to assist in determining its freshness and safety.
Howbeit, always remember, should you ever be in doubt of a food’s quality or freshness, you should dispose of it as it is better to be safe than sorry.
4. Food Supplies should be stored in containers with an air-tight seal
Note that as soon as air makes contact with food, its freshness begins to deteriorate and food will begin to spoil. So obtain restaurant supplies, such as food pans with lids that snap on securely, that will help to maintain food freshness, prevent spills and make the carrying of foods from one spot to another safer and easier.
5. Leverage climate controlled storage
When storing decorations, wooden furniture and more, it’s very advisable to utilize a climate controlled storage unit. A climate controlled storage unit will help to protect your belongings from temperature fluctuations.
6. Keep commonly used items towards the front
Note that this will help minimize the amount of time you have to spend searching through your storage unit, always keep items that are used more often towards the front of your unit. Seasonal items that are only used once a year can be stored closer to the back of your storage unit.
7. No food products should be stored directly on the floor
Have it in mind that many food health codes require foods to be stored away from the floor at a minimum height of six – twelve inches.
This is to ensure that contaminants such as dust, water, etc. do not soak through food containers. Additionally, foods that have the potential to leak, such a meat products, should be stored below other goods to prevent the contamination of other items.
8. Use a refrigerator thermometer for temperature control
Remember that a quality thermometer is an important restaurant and catering supply for any food kitchen. A thermometer will help to ensure food is always kept well under temperature danger zones.
9. Never overstock refrigerators or freezers
Note that where there are too many items in a fridge or freezer, the units will need to work extra hard to maintain the right temperature and may not be able to keep food as cool as it needs to be. Also, they may overload and stop working altogether.
10. Always choose the right equipment and supplies
Choosing the proper restaurant equipment for storing food is important to ensure you have enough storage space to adequately stock up the food you need in order to be able to offer everything you serve on your menu, as well as be able to handle a steady flow of customers.
Nonetheless, aside from knowing what type of supplies and equipment would be most suitable for storage, you also need to make sure your employees understand how to store food safely to ensure it remains fresh, will not spoil and will not cause hazards.
Conclusion
Most catering businesses run out of storage room very quickly. They need to have a place to store their extra furniture, supplies, dishes, glassware and holiday displays.
A storage unit is the easiest and most convenient solution for catering businesses to store the items that they don’t have room for at their business location. It is more convenient to store these items together in a secured self storage unit than inside a catering truck.
Caterers can rent a storage unit that is central to their business and events to make it easier to pick up their catering supplies when they are needed.