A bar is not a bar without barstools. For your customers, sitting on barstools allows a view of all their surroundings. You can’t scope out other bar patrons or the big game without grabbing a barstool. Investing in the right barstools for your restaurant creates an atmosphere that will lure customers and make them want to linger. Here are some important tips for purchasing the best barstools:

Take proper measurements. Size is a crucial to space planning and the interior design of your bar. Measure the height of your bar counter so that you don’t end up with barstools that are too high. Typically, barstools have a 30 inch seat height for a bar of average 45 to 48 inch height. Be sure to take any overhang into account. Give your customers space to spread out their legs or swivel the seat. Allow at least 25 inches of counter space for each barstool.

Consider your material options. Do you want a durable standard vinyl seat? Are you interested in the wide range of colors available for premium vinyl barstool seats? Perhaps wood is most appropriate?

Decide which features you are interested in adding. Barstools are quite versatile in their range of options. Some barstools provide the support of full backrests, others are open-backed or backless. Swivel seats are an option some customers enjoy. You may opt for a combination of features on your barstools, just make sure that your bar is uniform!

Enjoy your shopping experience and give a friendly Serv-U sales representative a call if you need a consultation! Stay tuned for tips on maintaining your barstools.

 Name this pan: it’s a shallow rectangular shape, oven and broiler safe and can also withstand freezing cold, scrubbings and machine washings. Of course, it is the sheet pan. Whether you operate a bakery that moves sheet pans of sugar cookies in and out of your oven, a fine dining restaurant that cooks half sheet pans of roasted vegetables beneath the broiler for the dinner rush, or a catering business that freezes sheet pans full of chocolate-covered strawberries until they are ready for dessert—you probably use this versatile pan.

The list of qualities to look for when it’s time to replace commercial sheet pans is short and sweet. In order to stand up to the heat of your broiler and the chills of your freezer, sheet pans should be durable, and warp and rust resistant.

Lincoln Wear-Ever pans are well-known among the professional community for their sturdy 3003 Aluminum construction. The sheet pans have a sturdy closed bead edge design with 1” sides, making them suitable to both baking and roasting. The natural finish on Lincoln Wear-Ever sheet pans is long-lasting and easy to clean.

Serv-U also carries National Sanitation Foundation certified heavy gauge sheet pans. These Vollrath sheet pans have an open bead edge design, so the surface will not hold water. They are constructed of 3004 extra dent resistant aluminum alloy and are also easily cleaned.

Sheet pans are sold in a range of sizes. Serv-U offers full size sheet pans, half size sheet pans, ¼ and ¾ size sheet pans and the option of solid or perforated. Pick the proper sheet pan and your kitchen can handle any recipe.

In the heat of summer, who doesn’t want an ice cold glass of lemonade, sangria, iced tea or punch? Serving these icy drinks during outdoor parties, buffets or banquets is best done in an iced beverage dispenser. Commercial iced beverage dispensers are the finest way to serve drinks to a large number of people within a short time span, and transport icy beverages to different locations safely and conveniently. On top of these benefits, iced drink dispensers are often equipped with advanced features.

Glass beverage dispensers provide your guests with a beautiful and functional display. If you are interested in a variety of shapes and capacities, check out Cal-Mil’s selection of iced beverage dispensers. Some are equipped with black wrought iron bases for elegant display and drip trays for cleanliness. All dispensers have removable ice chambers, allowing ice to cool your beverage without diluting the flavor of the product as it melts.

For the most durability, consider iced beverage dispensers with high impact plastic construction. Tablecraft iced beverage dispensers are resistant to scratching and denting, making them ideal for transport in a catering operation. Carlisle clear iced beverage dispensers feature tight fitting hinge-less lids to prevent spills. Some models have deluxe spring-action faucets and removable drip trays. Choosing the best construction saves you the labor of cleaning up spills and the expense of a pile of napkins.

Juices, punches and sangrias need optimal temperature settings, but iced tea has an additional requirement—optimum brewing. Stainless steel iced tea urns will give you the best brew for your buck. People will appreciate tea that has been carefully brewed and sits at the ideal icy temperature.

When the weather gets chilly, there is no doubt that coffee brewers, urns and percolators will become the most popular beverage dispensers on buffet tables and banquet spreads. Serv-U also carries quality warm beverage dispensers to use when the heat wave passes!

Whether you need to weigh strips of chicken before tossing them onto a customer’s Caesar salad or stack cuts of beef onto a scale in your deli, a proper read is important.  Restaurants that have a firm handle on portion control are able to control food costs, minimize waste and increase profit. Accurate deli scales prevent you from cheating the customer or giving them more than what they’ve paid for.

Serv-U carries both mechanical and digital scales to suit your needs and budget and many are NSF certified.

If you prefer a mechanical scale, compact portion control scales by Taylor are designed to give a precise read, while saving valuable kitchen counter space. Edlund’s stainless steel kitchen scales resist rust and are field-recalibratable to ensure accuracy. The Four Star Series features an adjustable air dashpot that acts as a shock absorber to prevent the needle from bouncing once the product is on the scale.

Digital scales have the advantages of “ounces-to-grams” buttons and easy to read displays. The Detecto model is legal for trade, making it ideal for your deli counter. Yamato stainless steel digital scales are USDA accepted and have splash proof housings and keyboards for durability. Avery Berkel manufacturers price computing scales with price-look-up and hot buttons for popular items.

Second to accuracy, sanitation should be a major concern with food scales because they are easy culprits for cross-contamination. In the past, scales were not designed for easy and thorough cleanup. Today, features like stainless steel construction, rust proof finishes, and easy assembly with no loose parts, facilitate sanitation without the use of special tools.

Buying equipment that minimizes the risk of cross contamination and increases efficiency in the operation puts your foodservice establishment in a prime position for long-term growth.

Opening cans in your commercial kitchen should never be a struggle. The commercial manual can opener is quite a simple machine. Electric can openers perform the same function with effortless operation. The basic principle is the same: the knife punctures the metal, the gear then rotates the can, creating an even opening.

The knife on your industrial can opener is intentionally dull and rounded. The knife’s function is to fold the metal, not slice it, thereby providing a smooth rim edge. Regular use sharpens the knife and eventually creates a point. A sharp knife can result in metal shavings being deposited into your food. Avoid this by regularly replacing crucial parts. As a rule of thumb, can opener knives should be replaced every six months and can opener gears should be replaced annually. Serv-U carries replacement parts for many popular models.

The standard manual can opener for the foodservice industry is Edlund’s #1 model. The Edlund #1 commercial can opener has been improved with a new smoother action base design, long wearing spool and rust resistant arbor. Most importantly, the knife is tempered steel and reversible, reducing the need for frequent replacements. The Edlund #1 commercial can opener opens most can shapes and sizes.

If you are looking to save time and labor, consider investing and an Edlund electric can opener. The convenient countertop model slides cans into position for easy opening without lifting. A spring-loaded mechanism will even open dented cans. For convenience without giving up precious counter space, consider the portable electric can opener.

Remember to take into account calculations of opening rate per minute, recommended daily use and can size. Some models are also NSF rated. Save yourself time and energy by having a can opener that can get the job done!

In the current economic environment, many commercial dining operations are trying especially hard to cut costs and save money. It may seem tough to justify the expense of a new piece of kitchen equipment—unless the commercial appliance could save you money. By purchasing new energy-saving restaurant equipment you may be able to cut utility costs and increase your profits.

One of the best investments in Energy Star rated equipment is a commercial ice machine. Of all your kitchen equipment, the ice machine is important for its potential to waste huge amounts of water and electricity. When a commercial ice maker is running inefficiently, you’re basically paying to pour money down the drain.

Serv-U offers three lines of Energy Star rated cube ice makers, each with additional benefits.

Ice O-Matic cube ice machines are equipped with unique evaporators and super low temperature refrigerants to make ice quickly and efficiently. The Pure Ice antimicrobial protection built in to the ice machine prevents bacteria from growing in the ice bin. Additionally, the advanced “Harvest Assist” system pushes ice out of the evaporator freezing surface rather than relying solely on gravity. This function increases the compressor life, conserves energy and ensures consistent ice cube production.

Manitowoc ice cube makers feature a matched compressor and evaporator that work in tandem to reduce energy use by up to 25%. AlphaSan components reduce slime on the inside of the ice machine, and a Cupra-nickel condenser adds protection from water corrosion. Manitowoc ice machines are also available with an automatic cleaning system, eliminating the need for service.

Scotsman cube ice makers, specifically Prodigy models, have the benefit of a self-monitoring system. Replacing your old ice machine with a Prodigy ice cuber reduces the need for downtime and service calls. The Auto-Alert indicator informs you of interruptions before they occur and reminds you of routine maintenance such as cleaning and filter changes.

In addition to utility savings, some utility companies offer rebates for qualifying Energy Star rated kitchen equipment. Call a Serv-U sales representative for more information about upgrading your commercial ice machine!

Fine china dinnerware leaves a lasting impression on your customers. Serving your patrons on china tableware gives the impression of quality and class—unless your china plates are chipped, your china mugs are cracked and the surfaces of your china serving dishes are worn.  If your china dinnerware sets are in poor condition, you are sending your customers a different message. Here are some common problems and solutions to care for your fine china tableware.

If you notice many rim chips on your china:

• Do not stack china mugs

• Check that china tableware is being dried on proper dish racks

• Line your soak sink

• Watch for overlapped china plates in dishwashing machine

• Be careful about mixing heavyweight and lightweight bodied china in dishroom

• Look for improper bus tub loading

If you notice a lot of surface wear:

• Minimize use of metal sponges

• Never use metal sponges on china. 

• White plastic sponges are made for ceramic dinnerware

• Unload china dinnerware from the dishwashing machine one piece at a time

• A quiet dishroom is evidence of longer dinnerware life

If you notice too much breakage:

• Avoid roughly placing china dishes in soaking tubs

• Always hold item using handle

• Check for improper rack height

• Use compartment racks for storage

• Be sure trays, not hands or arms, are carrying plates to the table

• Avoid thermal shock conditions, such as taking dinnerware from the freezer to oven to a cold surface. 

• Do not heat dinnerware over an open flame

Most importantly, invest in quality china dinnerware and replace as necessary. Your customers will appreciate the high quality experience.  

If you are looking for dinnerware that is inexpensive, durable and has a classy appearance, look no further than Serv-U’s melamine dinnerware selection. Melamine tableware is the premium choice for high-traffic operations. Restaurants, schools, cafeterias and hospitals all benefit from the durability of melamine dinnerware.

Melamine is a natural insulator, but lighter weight than stainless steel or ceramic. Melamine serveware will survive the trip from kitchen to table, while keeping your cuisine hot. In fact, melamine dinnerware can withstand temperatures up to 212°F, making it dishwasher safe—though it cannot be used in the microwave or oven!

Melamine plate sets are available in a wide variety of styles and colors. White melamine dinnerware gives the illusion of china for a lower price tag. Melamine is available in a wide range of colors from bright melamine bowls to pastel melamine mugs, and even popular black melamine plates. If your melamine does chip, rest assured that the color is solid through the entire piece.

Because melamine dinnerware isn’t produced with a petrochemical base as raw material, it is a more affordable option than other plastics, such as SAN and Polycarbonate. Melamine tableware also requires less energy to manufacture than china or glass. It requires less packing material, meaning more melamine dining sets can be shipped per box and delivered to you!

Where do you use aluminum in your restaurant? Perhaps aluminum foil seals your food, aluminum pots sit atop your range and aluminum pans occupy your oven, but have you considered incorporating aluminum furniture into your outdoor dining area? Aluminum should be the material of choice for your outdoor dining furniture because of its corrosion resistant properties and lightweight portability.

When aluminum patio furniture is exposed to the light and air of your patio, the metal creates a protective covering that will withstand sun, rain and wind. Because aluminum is so durable, this outdoor dining furniture needs minimal maintenance. Soap and water easily clean aluminum dining furniture.

Lightweight materials make it easy to transport your aluminum patio furniture. Aluminum furniture will resist scratches and your outdoor dining area can be rearranged frequently. Just as easily as you pull your aluminum sheet pans from the oven, you will be able pull your aluminum patio furniture out of storage for outdoor dining season!

Serv-U sells aluminum furniture in a variety of styles including aluminum side chairs, aluminum arm chairs, aluminum stools and aluminum tables. Some styles have the benefit of a durable aluminum base with the added comfort of a wicker seat. Not all aluminum furniture has the same look. Serv-U sells aluminum furniture with a finish that mimics bamboo.  Call a Serv-U sales representative today for help in designing your outdoor dining area!

Pizza is certainly one of the world’s most beloved foods. Your restaurant might specialize in thick, thin, stuffed or deep dish varieties—no matter how you serve your pie, you need the right commercial pizza supplies. When it comes time to select your pizza cooking supplies, you will find a plethora of pizza pans, pizza screens and pizza cooking accessories. The Restaurant Guru is here to help you decide which kitchen equipment suits your pizza recipe.

Pizza pans are normally available in sizes ranging from 10″ diameter to an 18″ diameter. A good rule of thumb is that a 14″ pie generally feeds two or three customers. Once you’ve decided the size of pies you’re interested in baking, you must decide which pizza pans will suit your baking style. Serv-U offers a range of 1” deep and 2” deep dish pizza pans. If you prefer a crispier crust, your kitchen needs nibbed pizza equipment. These pizza pans have raised nibs that are approximately 5/8” diameter and raise the pizza about 1/8” above the surface of the pan.  Raising the pizza off the surface allows moisture to escape, resulting in a fresher, crispier pizza. Store your full size pans in a multi-shelf pan rack for easy access.

If you are looking for pizza equipment that is lighter weight and easier to handle, pizza screens are an excellent option. Pizza screens are constructed of a mesh material that allows for more airflow.  This design makes them ideal for baking calzones and garlic bread. Pizza screens can easily be stacked in a pizza screen rack.

Whether you are using a shallow or deep dish pizza pan, be sure to stock your kitchen with an appropriate pan gripper. The pizza pan gripper is a necessary tool for grasping deep dish or shallow pizza pans. A self locking design means that squeezing is not necessary. The pan load activates the clamping action of your pizza pan gripper.