A Service Tech's Guide to Restaurant Equipment Test Kits

As a restaurant service technician, you already understand the value of preventative maintenance. All too often, your clients call you panicked while experiencing equipment breakdowns that could have been avoided. Of course, restaurant owners and managers have a lot on their plate and might not be technically savvy - that's why it's up to you to identify future problems!

To make your job a little easier, we've put together a guide to the essential test kits to keep on hand. These kits will help you identify equipment issues before they cause chaos in the kitchen. From water quality to oil monitoring, these test kits will help you provide the forward-thinking service that differentiates your business from the rest of the pack.

Water Test Kits

TEST STRIPS, WATER-AQUA CHEK 50/Pk

Water quality significantly impacts restaurant equipment performance, but even worse, it can negatively affect the taste of beverages and food. Hard water causes mineral buildup, making dishwashers, ice machines, water heaters, and plumbing fixtures work harder, which eventually results in damage. Too much chlorine in tap water can be tasted in prepared food and drinks, which can also have health implications.

However, regular water testing can identify these issues before they impact your clients' equipment and menu. Water test trips, like these from Aquachek, are an easy, economical way to test for multiple issues simultaneously. In less than a minute, just one strip tests for chlorine levels, water hardness, pH, and total Alkalinity.

Gas Pressure and Leak Detection

ELECTRONIC MANOMETER

Proper gas pressure readings are crucial to ensuring the efficient and safe operation of fuel-powered equipment like stoves, ovens, and grills. Less gas causes equipment to underperform, resulting in longer cooking times. At the same time, too much gas is a safety risk and increases the chance of a kitchen fire.

An electronic manometer is convenient for setting gas pressure at the manifold. It provides digital readings for accurate measurements, helping you ensure the equipment is functioning correctly. Additionally, detecting gas leaks is vital to prevent potential severe hazards, so for ultimate peace of mind, add a gas leak detector to your tool kit as well.

Oil and Shortening Test Kits

TEST KIT, FRYER OIL, 2-COLOR

Monitoring oil quality is another essential but often overlooked aspect of maintaining restaurant equipment. When fryer oil is overused, it may build up carbon, grease, rust, and calcium, which affects the flavor and texture of food and cause health risks. But replacing oil before it's time isn't a good idea either — no one wants to increase operating costs unnecessarily.

Luckily, checking oil quality is simple with the right tools. Add the Fryer Oil Test Kit and the Shortening Test Kit to your gear to ensure the oil is being replaced at the right time. These affordable test kits use oil color guide tubes to make the process a piece of cake. But, because employee subjectivity can be a drawback of these tests, it is important that you verify that your clients maintain their fryer oil correctly.

Temperature Calibration

THERMOMETER,INFRARED, GUN STYLE

Proper temperature calibration is another fundamental aspect of maintaining restaurant equipment and, likely, one of your most frequent types of service calls. All kitchen workhorses — ovens, stoves, refrigerators, and freezer units — must operate at their correct temperature to ensure safety, efficiency, and food quality.

Since incorrect temperatures lead to undercooked or overcooked food, spoilage, and compromised customer satisfaction, having an accurate tool to verify temperature readings is a must. Our favorite, the Infrared Gun-Style Thermometer, is fun to use and allows technicians the ability to quickly and accurately measure appliance temperatures between -45 to 400 Celsius.

In this fast-paced business, restaurant owners and managers often need help with preventative maintenance. That's why your role as a skilled and proactive equipment technician is vital to the industry. You know that regular equipment testing is essential for keeping their kitchen online while maintaining food quality and safety. By incorporating these test kits into your routine, you'll provide the forward-thinking service that sets your business apart.

For more tips on essential gear, check out Every Service Tech Needs These Parts and Repair Tools.