9 Labor-Saving Smallwares
Foodservice moves fast and finding and retaining talent to meet demands can be hard. More than a third of operators have job openings that are difficult to fill, with the biggest challenge finding applicants for back-of-house positions, notes the 2019 State of the Restaurant Industry Report by the National Restaurant Association. Nearly anything that can save time or effort on the line helps. And while big equipment pieces boasting automation or programmability, for example, get a lot of attention, smallwares also can offer solutions. To help operators, Foodservice Equipment Reports reached out to manufacturers to spotlight their laborsaving smallwares.
CLEVER WEDGER
With one motion, the Citrus Wedger cuts whole lemons or limes into eight or 16 wedges for drinks, cocktails or food garnishes. Non-skid rubber feet increase stability. Stainless blade is easy to replace.
Bar Maid
bestinthebar.com
BURGERS ON DEMAND
Use the EBP 7-in. Burger Press to quickly shape burgers and control portions. Inserts let you produce the burger size and weight you prefer. Choose from an insert for three 2½-oz. sliders or inserts for 4½-in. or 5-in. burgers.
Edlund/Ali Group
edlundco.com
SINGLE-HANDED SAUCING
ProPortion Handheld Dispensers dole out consistent, accurate portions—streamlining service and increasing profi ts. The boost in line speed can save an operation almost $250/year per dispenser in labor, says the company.
Server Products
proportiondispenser.com
GO-TO FOOD PROCESSOR
Slice, dice, wedge and core with the InstaCut 5.1. Its pop-in, pop-out blade assemblies make it simple and e cient to switch operations. Design includes cast aluminum sled-leg base; rubber feet keep equipment in place.
Vollrath
vollrath.com
PUT PEN TO PAN
Who has time for sticky paper labels? Pan Pens are nontoxic, food-safe markers that you can use to write directly on the surface of food pans. They endure heat and moisture and are easy to read. Wash the pen o with hot water.
Vortex Creations
panpens.com
SIMPLE SLICE
Produce hardboiled-egg slices that are intact and uniform in thickness. Engineered ABS plastic with stainless wires and a curved cradling feature make for a design that stands up to foodservice, yet gently and securely holds eggs for a clean cut.
Nemco Food Equipment
nemcofoodequip.com
EASY POUR
The ValveTop on the InvertaTop squeeze bottle allows you to store sauces with the top down, reducing the need to jog the sauce to the tip during use. Fill from the top and dispense from the bottom.
TableCraft
tablecraft.com
CAREFUL CUTTER
Safely and effciently open bagged foods and packaging with the Viper PRO Multi-Purpose Tool. The design minimizes laceration injuries and substantially lowers the risk of cross-contamination. The NSF-certified tool is dishwasher safe.
CrewSafe
crewsafe.com
DIY DAIRY SERVER
Reduce labor by setting out this creamer (SH-MAE10) and allowing customers to self-serve. The design of the spout minimizes dribbling to keep countertops free of marks and sticky residue.
Zojirushi America Corp.
zojirushi.com