Opening a fish and chip takeaway shop is an exciting venture with lots of potential. But before you start serving up crispy, golden fish and perfectly cooked chips, you need to make sure your kitchen is equipped with the right tools. The quality of your equipment directly impacts the efficiency of your operations, the taste and safety of your food, and ultimately, your customer satisfaction.
In this detailed guide, we cover the essential equipment you’ll need, featuring top brands like Henny Penny, Turbo Air, Blue Seal, Cossiga, and Cullinaire — trusted names in the hospitality industry.
Essential Equipment for Your Fish and Chip Shop
1. Deep Fryers: The Heart of the Operation
The deep fryer is the most important piece of equipment in your shop. It cooks your fish and chips to perfection, ensuring they are crispy outside and tender inside.
Henny Penny Deep Fryers are industry-leading for their durability, precise temperature control, and efficient oil filtration systems. These features extend oil life and improve cooking consistency, which saves costs and delivers great taste every time.
2. Commercial Refrigeration: Keep Ingredients Fresh
Seafood and potatoes need to be kept fresh and at the correct temperature to comply with food safety regulations and to maintain quality.
Turbo Air Refrigeration units provide energy-efficient, reliable cooling options for your kitchen. Options range from under-counter fridges for easy ingredient access to large upright refrigerators for bulk storage.
3. Chest Freezers: Bulk Storage for Frozen Goods
To ensure you never run out of essential ingredients like frozen fish and chips, a Chest Freezer is crucial. They offer large storage capacity while maintaining consistent freezing temperatures and energy efficiency.
4. Cooking Surfaces: Blue Seal Griddles and Stoves
Aside from frying, you may want to expand your menu with grilled or sautéed items. Blue Seal Griddles and Stoves offer reliable, even heat distribution with robust construction built for commercial kitchens. These appliances are perfect for cooking burgers, sausages, or warming sauces and sides.
5. Food Display Cabinets: Cossiga Cold and Hot Displays
An attractive and practical food display is a great way to entice customers and keep items at safe serving temperatures.
Cossiga Cold and Hot Food Display Cabinets provide excellent temperature control, keeping your fried foods crispy and fresh or your sides like mushy peas and sauces hot.
6. Chip Dump: Cullinaire Chip Dump
Busy service times require fast, efficient systems. The Cullinaire Chip Dump is designed to keep chips hot and crispy without drying them out or causing sogginess, ensuring quality from fryer to customer.
7. Bain Maries: Perfect for Warm Sides and Sauces
A bain marie keeps your sauces, mushy peas, curry, or gravy at consistent serving temperatures without burning or drying out. This equipment is essential for offering a full fish and chip meal experience.
Bonus Equipment to Consider
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Stainless Steel Work Tables: For food prep, durable and easy to clean.
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Extractor Fans and Ventilation: To keep your kitchen smoke- and odor-free.
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Packaging Equipment: For takeaway orders, such as greaseproof paper and containers.
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Point of Sale (POS) Systems: To streamline ordering and payment.
FAQs About Fish and Chip Shop Equipment
Q: How many fryers do I need to start with?
A: It depends on your expected volume, but most takeaways start with at least two fryers—one for fish and one for chips—to avoid flavor crossover and optimize cooking times.
Q: What size freezer do I need?
A: A chest freezer with at least 300–400 liters capacity is a good starting point, but larger operations may require multiple freezers.
Q: Are touch screen controls better on fryers?
A: Touch screen fryers like some models from Henny Penny offer precise control and programmability, which can improve consistency and reduce operator errors.
Q: How do I keep chips crispy after frying?
A: Using a chip dump like Cullinaire’s helps by maintaining heat while allowing moisture to escape, keeping chips crisp for longer.
Q: Can I get all this equipment from one supplier?
A: Yes! Hospitality Connect offers a wide range of top brand commercial kitchen equipment, including Henny Penny, Turbo Air, Blue Seal, Cossiga, Cullinaire, and more — making it easy to outfit your entire fish and chip shop.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right equipment for your fish and chip takeaway shop sets the foundation for success. Investing in quality products from trusted brands like Henny Penny, Turbo Air, Blue Seal, Cossiga, and Cullinaire ensures your food is cooked perfectly, kept fresh, and served efficiently.
Ready to open your takeaway with confidence? Contact Hospitality Connect today to browse our range and get expert advice on setting up your kitchen!
