A Guide to Smart Kitchen Equipment

What Is a Smart Appliance?

What are the features that make a piece of equipment "smart"? Usually, when the term smart is used, it indicates that the equipment is designed to connect to the internet or a digital interface. If you're wondering how this new restaurant technology can help you run your kitchen more efficiently, check out some of the capabilities associated with smart kitchen equipment:

• Remote monitoring and control - Smart kitchen equipment can be monitored and controlled remotely using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. You don't have to be in the same room or even in the same building to power up your equipment or check that it's operating correctly.
• Real-time data insights - Real-time data sounds impressive, but what does it mean? Basically, real-time means that smart equipment instantaneously tracks and stores metrics like cooking times, temperatures, and energy usage. This data can be used to make informed decisions about kitchen operations.
• Automated cooking and preparation - Some smart kitchen equipment can automate cooking and preparation tasks, such as frying, grilling, and baking. This can save time and labor, freeing up your staff for other tasks.
• Food safety monitoring - Smart kitchen equipment can monitor temperatures and alert your staff to potential problems. This is an extra assurance that your equipment is operating at food-safe temperatures so that you can prevent the risk of food-borne illnesses.

If you're looking for more ways to streamline your kitchen operations while reducing food waste and labor cost, consider investing in smart kitchen equipment. We'll provide a breakdown of some of the most popular smart kitchen appliances and how they can benefit restaurant owners.

Smart Refrigeration

With its advanced technology and connectivity features, smart refrigeration allows kitchen staff to monitor and control temperature settings remotely, ensuring that perishable items are kept at the right cold storage temperature at all times. For example, a restaurant owner can receive real-time alerts on their smartphone if the temperature in the walk-in cooler rises above a certain threshold, allowing them to take immediate action to prevent food spoilage.

Smart refrigeration systems can provide valuable data on energy usage, helping businesses to identify opportunities for energy savings and reduce their carbon footprint. Overall, the use of smart refrigeration in a commercial kitchen not only enhances food safety and quality but also improves operational efficiency and sustainability.

What Are the Benefits of Smart Refrigeration?

• High- and low-temperature alarms help you ensure proper food storage
• Get alerts anytime a door is left open to save energy and avoid wasting inventory
• Receive notifications when your condenser is due for cleaning
• Access downloadable temperature records for HACCP purposes

VersaHub Equipment

What is VersaHub? It's not just one piece of smart equipment, it's a comprehensive platform designed to assist operators in effectively tracking and managing their equipment from a remote location. This management system comprises a central hub and a range of sensors that can be easily attached to various types of equipment, including refrigerators, freezers, ovens, and walk-in coolers.

VersaTile sensors are capable of collecting valuable data on crucial factors such as temperature, humidity, power usage, and more. The collected data is then transmitted to the hub, which subsequently sends it to the operator's computer or smartphone for convenient viewing and in-depth analysis. The VersaHub system can be outfitted with a range of custom sensors to perform different tasks.

What Are the Benefits of VersaHub?

• VersaHub data loggers can be retrofitted to your existing equipment
• Works with both WiFi enabled and non WiFi enabled equipment
• Instead of manually monitoring equipment temperatures, you can remotely log and upload temps
• Get alerts to your phone or tablet when a critical temperature change occurs
• Receive notifications if equipment doors or building doors are left open
• Gain access to a database where you can track all equipment at once

Note: To get started with VersaHub, you'll need to create a WebstaurantStore account. Visit the VersaHub page to learn more!

WiFi Enabled Dishwashers

Imagine a dishwasher that not only cleans your dishes efficiently but also keeps track of its own performance and alerts you when it's time for maintenance. That's the power of a smart commercial dishwasher. With features like remote monitoring, temperature logs, and energy-saving options, smart commercial dishwashers are revolutionizing the way businesses handle their dishwashing needs. Whether you run a bustling restaurant or a busy catering service, investing in a smart commercial dishwasher can help streamline your operations and ensure a consistent level of cleanliness for your dishes.

What Are the Benefits of Smart Dishwashers?

• Identify the best times to run the dishwasher to save energy
• Get alerts to your phone when it's time to perform maintenance
• Track each wash cycle to make sure it's hot enough to kill harmful bacteria

WiFi Enabled Combi Ovens

What sets a smart combi oven apart from a traditional oven? The answer lies in its intelligent technology. These ovens are equipped with sensors and programmable controls that allow chefs to set precise cooking parameters, such as temperature, humidity, and cooking time. This level of control ensures consistent results and eliminates the guesswork often associated with traditional cooking methods.

What Are the Benefits of Smart Combis?

• Built-in recipe libraries and cooking programs that allow novice chefs to achieve professional-level results with the touch of a button
• Start preheating the oven or adjust cooking settings while you're away from the kitchen
• Minimize downtime and maintenance with real-time diagnostics and alert codes

WiFi Enabled Portable Grills

This innovative piece of equipment allows you to monitor and control the grilling process remotely through a smartphone or tablet, which comes in handy when you're cooking outdoors. Instead of standing over a hot grill, you can adjust the temperature, set timers, and receive real-time notifications about the cooking progress from another location. This not only saves time and effort but also ensures consistent and perfectly cooked meals every time. Whether you're a food truck owner, a caterer, or a restaurant chef, a WiFi-enabled portable grill can revolutionize the way you provide culinary experiences to your customers.

What Are the Benefits of Smart Grills?

• Monitor the temperature of probes from your phone so you can track meat doneness remotely
• Preheat or change grill temperatures from an offsite location
• Set temperature alarms to eliminate the risk of overcooking your products and reduce food waste

Smart Food Pickup Stations

Investing in a smart food pickup station can streamline your foodservice operation and enhance the customer experience. These food warmers allow customers to pick up their orders without having to wait in long lines or interact with staff. With a simple notification sent to their mobile devices, customers are alerted when their food is ready, and they can retrieve it from the designated pickup station. This technology not only saves time and reduces wait times for customers but also increases operational efficiency for foodservice establishments.

What Are the Benefits of Smart Pickup Stations?

• Keep takeout and delivery orders hot and ready for pickup
• Third-party delivery drivers can access orders immediately without needing to wait on your staff members
• Eliminates congestion in your front-of-house waiting areas so you can serve guests more quickly

WiFi Enabled Rapid Cook Ovens

Rapid cook ovens already employ a range of high-tech features to cook food quickly and consistently. By investing in a WiFi enabled high speed oven, you can enhance the capabilities of your operation. Many smart rapid cook ovens offer programmable cooking settings, allowing restaurant owners to easily store and recall recipes for consistent results every time. This is especially beneficial for chain restaurants or establishments with multiple locations because it ensures that menu items are consistent across the board.

What Are the Benefits of Smart High-Speed Ovens?

• Combines a small footprint with advanced smart features, making them ideal for tight spaces in food trucks or snack shops
• Automatically regulates cooking parameters for uniform results
• Allows you to download or upload HACCP data or recipe programs

Smart Vending Machines

If you've been thinking about creating an additional revenue stream with a vending machine business, check out some of the features of smart vending machines. With their advanced technology, these machines can be easily integrated into existing systems, allowing for seamless inventory management and restocking. Say goodbye to the days of manually counting product levels and making frequent trips to refill machines. Smart vending machines can track inventory in real-time, sending automatic alerts when supplies are running low. This not only saves time and effort but also ensures that your customers never face disappointment when their favorite snacks or drinks are out of stock.

What Are the Benefits of Smart Vending Machines?

• Gain access to subscription services that cover cellular data plan, operations smartphone app, and dashboard hosting
• Streamlined payment processing that posts to your account daily
• Remotely manage inventory, expiration dates, and hardware
• Receive notifications to help troubleshoot vending machine issues