The idea of what a kitchen looks like has become more flexible. Today’s operations can range from quick-serve restaurants and food trucks to catering and ghost kitchens.
Just as the concept of kitchens is flexible, operators like you are also looking for flexibility in the kitchen. Your kitchen team has a specific food prep process, and today’s equipment must be able to enhance that process while accommodating individual preferences and future menu growth.
Unique frying prep process
Because each kitchen or chef has a unique process, there are nearly endless ways to prepare a protein or vegetable for frying. Some operations marinade their proteins first; some use a wet batter, then dry breading; some do a multi-step coating process. It all depends on the cooking method and flavor profile.
Regardless of the final menu items, we know operations don’t want a one-size-fits-all equipment solution. Looking at the entire food prep process, there are four key areas where flexibility can have a positive impact on your back-of-house operation.
Workflow
Understanding how much space is available for the food prep process and the placement of the fryer makes a difference on whether the process should move from right to left or left to right. Equipment that can be set up for either direction offers greater flexibility and efficiency and saves time.
Ergonomics
Chefs and other employees responsible for food prep are different heights and could be either right- or left-handed. Being able to adapt equipment to meet the individual’s needs makes it more comfortable for the user, increasing throughput and employee satisfaction.
Set-up
There are a lot of components that go into your frying process — from pans for marinades and ice baths to breading basins, baskets and dip pots. Workstations that allow for all necessary food prep components to be kept close at hand ensures the process is as streamlined as possible, especially if that equipment is tailored to your specific operation’s needs.
Staging
Depending on their process, some operations put food immediately into the fryer, and others prefer to stage. If your equipment is designed with staging needs in mind, you’ll ensure adequate space while increasing efficiency.
Incorporating flexibility into equipment
Manufacturers that understand these flexibility considerations — both through observation and discussions with operators, chefs and other employees — can develop products that meet your unique needs. They can look at your current situation and see how equipment can be customized to fit your food prep process.
Through this review process, they may also uncover opportunities to incorporate automation. Automating manual processes can ensure and maintain consistency, while still keeping the same flavor profile and appearance your customers have come to love. Some cooks don’t like the idea of changing from a hand breading or sifting process. But with the promise that the end result will be as good or better — just that much more efficient — it’s an easier transition for them.
AyrKing leverages its decades of experience and feedback from restaurant customers when developing food prep equipment — including the latest addition to its Breader Blender Sifter (BBS) line.
Introducing a flexible breading and sifting station: the BBS Flex
The AyrKing BBS Flex series focuses on operational flexibility. The models are purpose-built to easily add, remove or reconfigure components and accessories — even on-site from shift to shift. The modular design enables it to meet the varying needs of foodservice operations. The BBS Flex can also improve flavor consistency while reducing hand-sifting time by up to 80% when preparing fried food items.
With options to customize for individual operations, the BBS Flex offers choices between stationary feet or casters and a fixed or foldable back panel. For capacity and throughput, the ancillary accessories like the side shelves, back panel and bun pan rack can create a greater landing area for finished products before you put them in the fryer.
Benefits of the BBS Flex
There are additional features of the BBS Flex that are beneficial to operators, including:
- Adjustable configuration: In just seconds, adapt the BBS Flex to fit employee height or workflow orientation by adjusting the placement and elevation of components, such as lug or breading pan height, dip pot/pan height and shelf placement
- Increased sifting capacity: Handle more breading per sifting cycle with the BBS Flex’s larger sifting cavity, saving time that can add up over the course of a shift
- Compact design: Take up less floor space and reduce freight costs with the BBS Flex’s compact footprint — as small as 31” x 31” — and its collapsible shipping design
Find the flexibility you need
Could you use more flexibility in your kitchen? Learn more about the BBS Flex models — and see which model might work for you — by visiting this product page.
