Deutsch: Küche / Español: Cocina / Português: Cozinha / Français: Cuisine / Italiano: Cucina
A kitchen is a room or part of a room used for cooking and food preparation.In the West, a modern residential kitchen is typically equipped with a stove, a sink with hot and cold running water, a refrigerator and kitchen cabinets arranged according to a modular design. Many households have a microwave oven, a dishwasher and other electric appliances. The main function of a kitchen is cooking or preparing food but it may also be used for dining, food storage, entertaining, dishwashing and laundry.
In an industrial and manufacturing context, "kitchen" typically refers to commercial kitchens, which are specialized facilities used to prepare and cook food in large quantities. Commercial kitchens are found in hotels, restaurants, institutional cafeterias, and other food service operations. Some examples of kitchen equipment and appliances found in industrial kitchens include:
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Ovens - Used to bake, roast, and grill foods, including convection ovens, deck ovens, and combination ovens.
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Ranges - Used to cook food on a flat surface, including gas ranges and induction ranges.
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Fryers - Used to cook foods by immersing them in hot oil, including deep fryers and shallow fryers.
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Grills - Used to cook food by direct heat, including flat-top grills and charbroilers.
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Refrigeration equipment - Used to store and preserve food, including refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerated prep tables.
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Dishwashers - Used to clean dishes and cooking utensils, including high-temperature dishwashers and low-temperature dishwashers.
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Food preparation equipment - Used to chop, slice, mix, and grind food, including food processors, mixers, and meat slicers.
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Cooking utensils - Used to prepare and serve food, including pots, pans, and cooking spoons.
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Food storage containers - Used to store and transport food, including food pans, food boxes, and food bags.
Commercial kitchens typically require specialized equipment and appliances that are designed to handle high volumes of food and are often built to meet specific health and safety regulations. These kitchens play a critical role in the food service industry, providing the necessary equipment and facilities to prepare and serve large quantities of food to customers.