Time-Saving Tips and Tools for Your Kitchen

Have you ever gotten a new tool to help with a task you’ve done manually for years?

If you have, you know that slap-yourself-on-the-forehead feeling you get when you realize how much time you could have saved if only you had gotten that [fill in the blank here] sooner. Maybe you found yourself wishing you had known that this miracle solution even existed.

One of the most important parts of what we do is to make sure you know what solutions are out there to help your foodservice operation. At today’s labor rates, every minute saved adds more to the bottom line than ever before. Improving productivity, even in small ways, can add up.

Got a time-wasting operational “thorn in your side?" A quick fix may be here…

PREP

Make Cutting Quicker, Cleaner, and Easier

Dull blades slow down prep, damage food, and cause fatigue. 

The Edlund 401 Electric Knife Sharpener features a precision guidance system to maintain a perfect knife edge. An ABS plastic knife guide makes this tool easy to operate and allows the knife heel to be inserted closer to the stone to maximize sharpening area. The guide also pops out for thorough cleaning. 

The 401 Electric Sharpener sharpens knives from 3⁄16 of an inch to cleaver blades.

Add Instant Sophistication

The Single Blade Crinkle Cutter from TableCraft is a precision chopping tool that speeds up prep time and reduces the need for skilled labor. Ergonomic design supports fast and safe use. 

This dishwasher safe tool features a comfortable, polypropylene handle and measures 7.5" x .875" x 5", the perfect size for crinkle-cutting foods of varied shapes and sizes.

Use One Tool to Whip, Blend, and Puree in a Hurry

The XM-12 Immersion Blender by Sammic is the ultimate multi-tasker, saving prep and clean-up time, and reducing waste. Its advanced, tempered steel, Y-blade design quickly creates the perfect texture, from emulsifying mayonnaise and salad dressings, to blending batters, creating smooth purees, whipping airy meringue, and more. 

For volumes up to 10 quarts, the XM-12 provides maximum motor power in a compact size for easy handling and portability. A non-slip ergonomic grip reduces fatigue, while a click-on arm detaches with a quick twist for washing by hand or in the dishwasher. 

To learn more about what this versatile tool can do, watch the Sammic XM-12 video.

Push a Button and Peel Root Vegetables in Bulk

The Sammic Potato Peeler saves precious time with bulk peeling capability to expedite prep of foods like French fries, mashed potatoes, and hashed browns. 

Available in 22, 44, and 50 pound capacities, this stainless steel commercial potato peeler also peels other root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips. 

See how the Sammic Potato Peeler works here.

STORAGE

Safely Store Foods in a Snap

Why wrestle with time-consuming plastic films or foil when you can put a cover on storage containers in a snap? 

The Seal Cover for Cambro food pans is made of translucent polypropylene, so it provides content visibility, a tight seal, and a stable stacking platform all at once. 

It’s also been laboratory tested to provide 2-3 extra days of shelf life of produce and proteins when used with a Cambro Food Pan. 

For a convenient and hygienic way to dry and store seal covers and other flat kitchenware such as cutting boards, trays, and sheet pans, check out the Camshelving Premium Series Vertical Drying Rack.

COOKING

Cook and Chop at the Same Time

Hell’s Handle Beveled Edges Turner by Mercer Culinary has sharpened beveled front edges for efficient chopping on griddle tops. Its precision-ground 6" X 3" stainless steel blade provides the ideal combination of flexibility and stiffness. 

Hell’s handle is built for comfort and control with a high heat-resistant handle that stays cool to the touch by absorbing 50% less heat. A dual-textured finish gives it extra grip and slip resistance. 

The Hell’s Handle Collection includes a broad variety of utensils including scrapers, forks, and solid, perforated, and slotted turners.

SERVING

Save on Utensil Replacement

Frequent replacement of damaged utensils that aren’t designed for high heat applications wastes valuable time and costs a lot more in the long run. 

High Heat Camtensils by Cambro are made specifically for hot food service and back of house applications, with spoons and spatulas designed for stirring, serving, and flipping. 

Made from a durable, high heat resistant material that withstands -40°F to 300°F, these dishwasher-safe utensils are available in perforated or slotted and solid styles. 

Handles have an angled neck and thumb rest for comfort, a notch to rest on pans, and a hole for hanging when not in use.

Keep Tongs Clean and Easy to Access

Stainless steel Smart Tong Holders from Edlund are the fastest and easiest way to store and access most any size tong while keeping the paddles clean and sanitary in a busy foodservice kitchen. 

Designed specifically for Edlund stainless steel spring tongs, these wall mounted tong holders automatically locate the tongs in an ergonomic open position within easy reach for quick access and use in the perfect gripping position. Choose from 6 sizes that hold from 1 to 6 sets of tongs.

CLEANING

Use Reusable Towels That Don’t Need to Be Laundered

Wait! What? How can that be? Designed to be used 4 to 6 times (or shifts), these steam-sterilized towels are disposable, resulting in less laundry and lower water, chemical, and energy consumption. 

Made of 100% non-woven cotton, highly absorbent and durable Blu™ Towels from Mercer Culinary provide exceptional liquid and dirt pick-up and an ability to clean a variety of surfaces.

Each towel comes packaged as a 1 3/4″ diam. x 3/8″ puck that expands to a full-sized 9 1/2″ x 23 1/2″ towel in seconds. A more environmentally friendly alternative to woven cotton dish towels, Blu Towels are 100% biodegradable and compostable and can be purchased in packs of 12, 50, and 100 pucks. 

Click here to see Blu Towels in action.

For more information about the above products or ideas to help address your specific operational needs, contact us.