Essential commercial bakery equipment: Everything you need

Setting up your own bakery takes hard work, determination, and ultimately a strong foundation of knowledge. Without these skills, self-employment can be a recipe for disaster, but starting with the right equipment can help lead to a much sweeter life for a baker. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss all the essential pieces of gear you’ll need to build your bakery business from the ground up, highlighting the versatility of equipment such as plastic storage containers in the everyday flow of a baker’s business. 

Ingredient Trucks

Plastic mobile container trucks are useful in bakeries for storing large quantities of ingredients such as flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Large, durable plastic containers are excellent at keeping ingredients fresh, dry and easily accessible for ease of the workflow process. 

Plastic ingredient trucks can be helpful in organisation around the bakery, available in various colours and sizes for ease of navigation between ingredients. Colour-coordinate your plastic container trucks for improved workflow between products and ingredients.

They are also made from food-safe materials such as Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE), making them ideal for use in a variety of food industries. 

Commercial ovens

A commercial oven is an essential piece of equipment in which to build your bakery around. The oven is at the heart of most pastries, cakes and bakes, vital for consistent, evenly cooked foods. 

There are various types of commercial ovens available to bakers, including convection ovens, deck ovens or rack ovens. Convection ovens circulate hot air for even baking, perfect for cakes and cookies. Deck ovens utilise a hot stone to perfectly cook loaves of bread. Finally, rack ovens are an all-purpose oven, versatile for baking large quantities of goods simultaneously. Investing in a high-quality oven that is suitable for your needs will assist you in creating delicious bakes for years to come. 

Proofing equipment

Proofing is essential in many baked goods journeys, especially those containing yeast. Proofing allows your prepared dough to rest and rise before baking, fermenting the yeast and leavening the dough. Proofing is necessary for many of your baked goods to avoid leaving the oven too flat or too dense. 

Plastic dollies are useful for transporting trays of dough into proofing cabinets or rooms, allowing for the intricate control of temperature and humidity. Utilise your space with plastic stacking containers, labelled for easy identification of ready-to-use products. 

Mixers

Commercial mixers come in all shapes and sizes, from hand mixers to large-standing mixers. They blend ingredients together to create fluffy cakes and aerated dough. 

Depending on the scale of your business, you may want to consider the size and purpose of your mixers. Large stand mixers will be the perfect partner in churning out baked goods after baked goods, whereas hand mixers might be ideal for smaller-scale operations such as cakes and cookies. 

Baking tools and utensils

Without some of the smaller tools, large ovens and mixers wouldn’t get us very far in the kitchen. Knives, whisks, spatulas and spoons are essential in kick-starting many bakes, with decorative utensils such as piping bags, stencils and brushes completing the finished product. 

Storage of these tools and utensils in parts bins can make accessing them easier and more efficient in a busy bakery. Made from durable plastic, parts bins can withstand the wear and tear of a bustling environment, keeping your small items safe and easy to find. 

Sheeters and moulders

In a large-scale business, producing baked goods every day can be hard work. Rolling out dough by hand in an even and consistent manner can be tricky, especially if you are just starting out on your own. Having machinery to do this for you can not only free up time to spend on other tasks, but can help conserve energy after an early start to the day. 

Sheeters and moulders can automate the process, producing uniform thickness and size each and every time. By including a sheeter and moulder in your workflow, you’ll never need to worry about mismatched-sized croissants or uneven pie crusts again. 

Bread baskets and storage

Storing baked and cooled products safely and securely is vital when producing products in advance, whether it be the night before or the morning of. Many bakers will open shops early to prepare all their stock before opening their doors to customers. This means storing your baked goods is essential for maintaining freshness and quality all day long. 

Bread baskets are a key component of many bakeries, protecting goods from moisture and damage, whilst organising them for storage in the bakery. 

Rebox Storage stocks bread baskets of various sizes including 12 loaf baskets and 15 loaf baskets, helping you maximise your space. Another essential, however, is the RB DOL, designed to easily transport your bread baskets from A to B. 

Display cases and packaging

Finally, every baker needs a way of proudly displaying their finished baked goods, enticing customers to buy them. Refrigerated cases with a glass front not only allow customers to see your products but also keep perishable goods such as cream cakes and pastries fresh and edible. Packaging your bakes in secure boxes with labels also shows a level of professionalism, enhancing customer satisfaction. 

If transporting your baked goods, using plastic pallets means your products are kept safe and secure during the delivery process. Plastic pallets can be stacked and easily moved around, guaranteeing cleanliness and hygiene due to their non-porous material and easy-to-clean surfaces. 

Ovens, mixers and bread baskets all play a crucial role in producing high-quality baked goods to sell to your customers, so it is important to carefully consider the equipment you buy. Choosing the right tools can impact the quality of your products, but utilising bread baskets and proper storage techniques means your bakes are good to sell and consume for longer. 

If you are starting your own bakery business, Rebox is the perfect partner in plastic storage solutions. Contact us today to speak with a member of our expert team to kick-start your baking journey. With the right equipment, you can achieve delicious results that keep your customers coming back for more each time.