Which Restaurant Equipment Should You Buy New and Which Can You Buy Used?

Nobody ever said opening a restaurant would be easy or cheap. In fact, you’ll find that when you start shopping around for restaurant equipment—from the major kitchen appliances to the furniture to the utensils, serving and cleaning supplies—the costs will add up quickly. Therefore, there are some pieces of restaurant equipment that you may want to buy new and some items you can buy used from a top reseller like Kohn-Megibow Company.

Why Buy New Restaurant Equipment?

The answer to this is pretty simple. If money is not an issue, then you can go out and buy top-of-the-line restaurant equipment brand new. It will typically come with some sort of warranty and, of course, it’s fresh from the manufacturer. That’s not to say it won’t ever break down or wear out. New doesn’t always imply perfect, but it is nice having the peace of mind of a warranty program.

Of course, the one major disadvantage of buying new restaurant equipment is the expense. New stuff costs more and, just like a new car, some of the most expensive items will depreciate significantly as soon as they leave the showroom floor. It most likely won’t be worth what you paid for it ever again.

Why Buy Used Restaurant Equipment?

Sadly, a lot of restaurants don’t make it. However, that means there is a lot of great used restaurant equipment out there that you can buy at significantly reduced prices. Buying used items—especially larger and more expensive appliances like commercial stoves, ovens and refrigeration units—can really save you a ton of money. You might be paying pennies on the dollar compared to buying the same equipment new. This goes for all the restaurant equipment you need, whether it’s pots and pans or tables and chairs. 

The trick to buying used restaurant equipment is finding quality items that are still in great working condition. It’s unfortunate that some restaurants don’t last long at all, but that means their equipment is still relatively new. You want to buy from a reputable seller that properly inspects and cleans all the equipment, and can provide information about any active warranties.

KMC Restaurant Equipment Supply

When you buy from KMC, you’ll know exactly what kind of condition the used restaurant equipment is in. We thoroughly inspect, clean and test the items—and we also make note of any known existing warranties—before they are put up for sale in one of our bi-weekly used restaurant equipment items. Buying at auction is usually your best bet for getting the lowest possible price on what you need. However, if you want to avoid the risk of a bidding war or can’t make the next auction date, you can buy used restaurant equipment directly from our Anaheim warehouse. We also offer new restaurant equipment.

Whatever you need to get your restaurant started, Kohn-Megibow has you covered. Visit the KMC website for more information or contact us today for the best new and used restaurant equipment in Orange County.