Whether you run a butcher shop, deli or food production facility, investing in food processing machinery is a big step. Choosing the right equipment impacts everything from efficiency to food quality to long-term costs. But with so many options available, it’s natural—and sensible—to have questions. You need to know that you're getting something that's not only safe and reliable, but also user friendly.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a handy checklist of things to look out for, so you can browse more efficiently, make informed decisions, and get the right setup for your food preparation area.
Suitability: Matching Machinery to Your Needs
Every business’ requirements are different, so before you embark on extensive research between different brands, you need to narrow down what type of product will fulfil your needs. This will depend on the nature of your business (is it a deli? A small bakery? A mass–production plant?) and the types of food you’re planning on processing—such as vegetables, bakery or meat.
Your answers to these questions should help you determine not only the type of machinery, but also the scale of throughput it needs to be able to cope with. Purchase kit that’s too big, and you’re wasting money and space; too small, and you’re creating a bottleneck, holding up other processes in the food preparation area. Don’t just look at the here and now though. Take into account any business plans you have for the next couple of years, particularly if you’re keen to expand.
Once you’ve established the basics, it’s time to look more closely at the specifics of each machine.
Is Food Processing Equipment Safe to Use?
Image source: mealpro via Unsplash
First and foremost, it’s essential to ensure the food processing equipment you introduce meets food safety regulations. If they don’t, you risk contamination and injuries, which is why non-compliance is taken so seriously. You may be hit with penalties or recalls, your business won’t be able to function at full capacity, and it can be a costly process putting things right.
Different countries and regions have their own food safety regulations. In Europe, products—and everything we sell here at SMS Food Equipment—should carry the relevant CE food safety symbol.
Other things to look out for are:
Food-grade Materials
Any machine that comes into contact with food should be made using appropriate materials. For example, our slicers, mincers, and sausage fillers are constructed from high-quality stainless steel, which resists corrosion, is easy to clean, and prevents bacterial buildup.
Hygienic Design
Be aware of the configuration of different types of equipment. Some brands (including those we stock) are designed with quick disassembly and easy cleaning in mind. Check whether there is space to get into any crevices, so that the whole device can be disinfected. If this isn’t highlighted in the product details, or evident from photos, take a look at reviews to see whether other customers have commented on it at all.
Built-in Safety Features
Check whether the machine includes additional protections, such as emergency stop buttons, hand guards and non-slip feet. These are all features that will help prevent accidents in busy food preparation environments, where injuries can be both common and preventable.
What Else Should I Look At Before Purchasing Food Processing Machinery?
Quality and Build
Image source: Rohan G via Unsplash
Investing in quality equipment should feature high on your priority list. Not only will well-built machinery perform more consistently, but it will also have a longer lifespan, saving you money further down the line. We’ve already talked about the hygienic benefits of choosing kit made from food-grade stainless steel, but it has another important advantage: durability.
All components should be built to withstand commercial use without excessive wear and tear. For instance, motors need to be powerful enough, and blades sharp enough, to withstand high volumes of food processing before they require replacement.
Efficiency
Ultimately, the purpose of food processing machinery is to increase productivity. This will only be achieved if the equipment speeds up your processes, reduces waste along the way, or, ideally, does both at once. Always take note of:
- Processing Speeds: Make sure the kit is high-powered so that you can complete tasks in less time
- Precision and consistency: Features like adjustable slicing thickness and precision mincing plates ensure uniform cuts every time and therefore minimise waste
- Energy efficiency: Some machines are designed to use less power while delivering high performance, helping you save on energy costs.
- Easy maintenance: Removable parts will help expedite cleaning regimes
Technical Support and Spare Parts
Food processing equipment is a long-term investment—and one that benefits from additional support. Find out whether the machine you want qualifies for a warranty, how long this is for, and how it is honoured.
It’s also useful to have experts on hand to advise you if something goes wrong—so research what additional services the vendor offers. It’s advisable to take up the option of ongoing technical support and maintenance packages, to keep the machine working better for longer.
Finally, think ahead, by researching compatible spare parts. If they can be sourced quickly and easily, you can avoid disruption to your production further down the line, when a component breaks or wears out.
Cost and Value
Working out the true value of food processing machinery can be tricky, because there are ongoing running costs to consider, as well as less frequent expenses that crop up from time to time. Energy usage, maintenance and machine lifespan all affect your return on investment, so balance these against the initial outlay of purchase.
But although you can never be certain what a machine’s going to end up costing in the long term, rough predictions are possible. There is often a consensus in the industry about which brands make reliable machinery, which models are energy saving (without compromising on performance), and which offer durable components.
Image source: Jakub Żerdzicki via Unsplash
To get a better idea of whether your choice will prove to be a sensible investment, read reviews, and particularly look for articles that compare different options. For instance, we’ve written a deep dive weighing up the cost of a high-quality Berkel machine against that of a generic, cheaper slicer. (Spoiler: we found that consumers would actually make a saving over five years if they went with the more expensive option. Sometimes bargains really are too good to be true.)
If you’re after top-drawer products, but struggling with the upfront expense, there is another option. Take a look at used machinery from a trusted vendor that has inspected the equipment’s functionality and is willing to vouch for it. You may not get all the benefits of buying new, such as a warranty, but you might be able to pick up a quality bit of kit at a more affordable price.
User Friendliness
In the midst of weighing up return on investment, longevity and hygienic design, it’s easy to forget that real humans are responsible for operating food processing machinery on a day-to-day basis. But user friendliness isn’t just a ‘nice to have’. It directly affects both efficiency and safety in the workplace, as well as having wider implications on staff morale.
It becomes obvious to a user very quickly if their needs have been considered. Ergonomic designs are those where the placement and ease of controls is intuitive, which reduces staff training time and the likelihood of dangerous mistakes. You may also want to look out for programmable settings, touchscreens or automated cleaning cycles.
Delivery, Installation and Training
Some food processing machinery is complex to install and set up, so when buying, make sure you know whether you’re just being shipped a piece of kit or are getting a more complete service. Staff also need training in how to use new equipment, so that they can use it safely and to its full advantage; check if your supplier offers this before you hit the ‘buy’ button.
Ready to Find the Right Equipment?
One of the easiest ways to ensure you’re buying a great machine is to purchase from a trusted supplier, with a reputation to uphold. At SMS Food Equipment, we make decisions easy: all our machinery is designed with safety, reliability and efficiency in mind.
Browse our range today and find the best fit for you.