Types And Uses Of Kitchen Equipment

Overview

Walk into any working kitchen, from a bustling buka in Mushin to the stainless counters of a Lekki hotel, and the first thing you notice is the equipment. The heavy cooker against the wall, the humming refrigerator, the blender screaming through a bowl of pepper, the knives and pots, and in the corner the wooden mortar waiting to pound yam. A caterer who knows this equipment, what each piece is made of and what each is for, works faster, safer and cheaper than one who does not.

In this lesson you will learn how kitchen equipment sorts into three clear groups, large or heavy, mechanical and small equipment or utensils, with the Nigerian local implements every home cook already knows. You will study the materials each piece is made from and why, the jobs they do, and the sensible questions a caterer asks, cost, durability, capacity, power and safety, before spending money on any of them.

Objectives

  1. Classify kitchen equipment as large, mechanical and small equipment
  2. Identify common kitchen equipment and utensils and their uses
  3. Describe the materials used in making kitchen equipment
  4. Explain the factors to consider when selecting kitchen equipment
  5. Match each item of equipment to its appropriate task

Lesson Note

A young caterer in Ibadan wins her first big order, small chops and jollof rice for a wedding of three hundred guests. She has the recipes and the confidence, but on the morning of the event she is grinding pepper in a small hand blender meant for a family of five, boiling rice in a pot too small for the crowd, and slicing onions with a blunt table knife. The food is late and her name suffers. Nothing was wrong with her cooking. Everything was wrong with her equipment. Knowing what each piece of kitchen equipment is, what it is made of and what job it is built for is not background knowledge for a caterer. It is the difference between a smooth service and a ruined one.

Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Types And Uses Of Kitchen Equipment. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. Which of the following is classified as mechanical equipment? A. Gas cooker B. Chopping board C. Electric blender D. Clay pot Answer: C
  2. The best material for a kitchen work table because it does not rust and is easy to clean is: A. Wood B. Plastic C. Aluminium D. Stainless steel Answer: D
  3. The most suitable local implement for pounding boiled yam is the: A. Grinding stone B. Mortar and pestle C. Sieve D. Colander Answer: B
  4. Which factor is MOST important when a caterer with an unreliable electricity supply is choosing equipment? A. Colour B. Power supply C. Brand name D. Weight Answer: B
  5. A piece of equipment that keeps perishable food safe by cooling it is the: A. Deep-fat fryer B. Food mixer C. Refrigerator D. Slicing machine Answer: C

Past Questions

Wondering what past questions for this topic looks like? Here are a number of questions about Types And Uses Of Kitchen Equipment from previous years

Question 1 Report


(a) List five general service equipment found in a Restaurant

(b) List four knives and state their uses