Top 10 Easy DIY Fixes For Your Restaurant

Between the front and back of house operations, chances are you have several different supplies and equipment that are used regularly in your restaurant. High-volume wear and tear on your equipment takes its toll on your products, and you may find yourself with breakages and breakdowns. The good news is that many items can be fixed yourself at a fraction of the price you’d pay for a service technician.

At Tundra Restaurant Supply, we sell over 22,000 parts that cover everything from beverage and cooking equipment parts, to electrical, furniture, janitorial and more. Getting just a little handy around the restaurant will save you time, and more importantly, money. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of 10 Easy DIY Fixes you can do now:

1. Utility Carts

The unsung workhorse of your kitchen, utility carts help your staff move dirty dishes, fresh utensils, and any other bulk items quickly and efficiently. If your cart loses a caster, it’ll be down for the count. Keep the workflow moving by stocking up on casters from brands like Rubbermaid.

2. Pre-Rinse Hoses

In a busy kitchen, your wash station is key to being clean and organized during the rush. When a breakdown happens, save yourself the cost of purchasing a brand new Pre-Rinse Assembly (which can set you back anywhere from $200 to $700), and instead locate your model’s pre-rinse hose part and make the fix yourself.

3. Refrigeration Gaskets

A tight seal on your refrigerator door is crucial to maintaining a low temperature that keeps product fresh and safe for diners. Not only that, when the seal on your door is weak, your refrigerator has to work harder to maintain a proper temperature—which creates a downward spiral of higher energy costs and poor performance that could result in more costly fixes down the road. Lucky for you, refrigeration gaskets are easy to replace and cheap enough to keep a few extras on hand. Be sure to check out our Refrigeration Door Seal & Gasket Buying Guide for more information »

4. Burner Valves

If your gas range seems like it’s on the fritz in your restaurant, don’t be alarmed. Burner valves regular the gas flow within your equipment, and chances are a quick replacement of this small part will get you cooking again. And the good news? It’ll only cost you $100 or less.

5. Food Storage

Your staff is in and out of your food storage containers several times a day, taking a toll on latching mechanisms. Luckily several manufacturers sell replacement covers, latches and more so you aren’t footing the bill for an entirely new container.

6. Mop Buckets

They’re not the most glamorous item in your business, but you can’t imagine keeping on top of your operation without it. Mop buckets serve a key purpose of keeping your restaurant clean (and in code). Don’t let a loose (or broken caster) prevent you from doing the job quickly and efficiently; keep a few casters on hand and you won’t be sorry.

7. Refrigeration Hinges

Your refrigeration hinges serve an obvious purpose—keep the door on! Protect your product within your refrigerator, walk-in, blast chillers and more with proper hinges. A quick hinge fix can save you a lot on unspoiled product. Interested in learning more about your refrigeration equipment? Check out our Refrigeration Buying Guide here »

8. Floor Drain Covers & Strainers

Less of a DIY and perhaps more of a simple fix, floor drain covers and strainers keep your pipes clean from debris. Prevent a pipe backup (and a bigger expense) cheaply and easily by stocking up on several of these products.

9. Light Fixtures

Sharp objects and darkness don’t mix. Keep the lights (and your thumbs) on and intact by keeping light fixtures on-hand for unexpected burnouts. Your kitchen staff will thank you.

10. High Chair Strap Kit

Kids are surprisingly strong, so don’t be surprised when you go through 4 or 5 high chairs before you find one without a broken strap. Have a few straps available to switch out and your diners will thank you.