I've have an opportunity to move back home (Pennsylvania) and open up a bakery shop for my cakes.

This is a big step for me since I'm fairly new and a big risk for me as well.

I'm trying to come up with a list of what I would need for my commercial kitchen so I can check into what it's actually going to cost me. I'm going to compare New vs Used, but I'm not even sure at this point (I'm currently home based) what equipment I'm going to need.

I figured the basics being:

Oven
3 compartment sink
fixtures for bathroom (sink, toilet)
hand sink
commercial dishwasher
mixer
counters
display case
walk in cooler?
shelving unit

What am I missing (I'm sure there is a ton since I've only just had this thrown in my lap!

I would love everyone's input and suggestions!

Thanks so much in advance
Alicia

I highly recommend calling the state, county, or city health inspector or agricultral department and ask them what is required in that area.

Every state is different, and within a state every county is different and within that county each city/town may have different rules. I would contact them and ask them for a list of what is needed for a bakery.

great advice leily, def. call your state. but you may also want to consider a freezer, not just a cooler. and a walk in cooler is great (i love the one in my rented kitchen) but you could likely get by without a walk in, depending on your volume, and i think it would be cheaper. think about places to store your cakes while they're cooling, and storage for all your equipment. you prolly want to get a grease trap too, BC has a lot of grease in it. a digital scale that can hold at least a couple pounds is essential. i would also get a commercial grade food processor if you bake from scratch. i use my food processor all the time for carrot cake and italian cream cake and anytime im wanting to chop nuts or finely chop my grated coconut.

good luck!

Depending on your state requirements you might need a seperate mop sink.

3 compartment sink
mop sink
hand sink
rack/shelves to air dry dishes
convection oven
2 door fridge
2 door freezer
20 qt. mixer
7 qt. mixer
double burner hot plate (for making sugar syrup for icing/etc)
prep tables
shelves for ingredients, etc

this is just in the kitchen. I have a separate area for decorating that has all of my other stuff in it.

Forget the dishwasher and walk-in cooler- invest in quality freezer and refrigerator.

I have:
4 deck oven (only use 2 usually)
80qt mixer, 20 qt mixer, and 2 kitchen aides
3 door freezer
3 door refrigerator
5- 6 ft tables
4 rolling pan racks (GREAT Investment)
Airbrush/compressor
Lots of full sheet pans
Pans pans Pans
Lots of shelving and drawers for storage
Microwave
Digital scale (I use a mail scale)
Don't have a storefront...so no display cases.