Used Kitchen Equipment for Restaurants: What to Buy Used vs New

Used kitchen equipment for restaurants can cut your startup budget, but only if you buy the right pieces used. The short answer: stainless steel tables, sinks and shelving, simple refrigeration, ranges, griddles and basic ovens are smart to buy used. Ice machines, dishwashers, espresso machines and complex combi ovens are usually safer bought new, or used only with a full inspection and service history. This guide sorts equipment into those two groups and explains how to decide.

We sell both new equipment and certified pre-owned units, so we have no reason to push one over the other. The right answer depends on how hard the machine works, how many things can fail inside it and how much you rely on it every day. If you want a step-by-step inspection checklist for local buyers, we cover that in a separate guide: used restaurant equipment in Vancouver: how to find quality deals. This page is about the used-versus-new decision itself.

Used vs new kitchen equipment: how to decide

Ask four questions about each piece before you choose:

1. How many moving or electronic parts does it have? A stainless table has none. A combi oven has boilers, pumps, sensors and a control board.
2. How hard does it run? A cooler that runs 24 hours a day wears differently from a mixer used twice a week.
3. What happens if it fails? If a failure shuts the kitchen down, new equipment with fresh manufacturer support may be worth the extra cost.
4. Can you verify its condition? A unit you can see running and test in person is a better bet than one you cannot inspect.

Equipment that is smart to buy used

Stainless steel tables, shelving and sinks

These have no machinery. If the steel is sound, the welds are tight and the surface is smooth and cleanable, a used piece does the same job as a new one. Browse stainless work tables, stainless shelving and pot sinks first when you want to save. Check for dents that trap food, rust at the legs and loose casters.

Refrigeration with simple designs

Reach-in refrigerators, prep tables and undercounter units from known manufacturers are a common used purchase. Cooling systems are sealed and mostly straightforward. Look at the gaskets, door hinges, interior lining and condenser coils, and ask to see the unit holding temperature. Many buyers start with used commercial refrigeration. Pick a unit with a service-friendly design, since parts for popular models are easier to source later. An example of a pre-owned listing is the EFI 3-door refrigerated prep table.

Ranges, griddles, charbroilers and hot plates

Gas cooking tops are built from steel, cast iron and valves, and they age well. A used range, griddle or charbroiler is a good value if the burners light evenly, the knobs and valves turn smoothly and the cooking surface is flat. Gas appliances must carry a recognized certification mark before they can be installed in BC, and a licensed gas fitter has to connect them under permit. The Atosa 48 inch natural gas griddle is an example of the kind of unit that suits the used route.

Basic ovens, mixers and food prep machines

Convection ovens, deck ovens, planetary mixers, slicers and food processors are mechanical and repairable. Check that motors run smoothly, the guards and safety switches work, and the gearbox does not grind. Ask whether parts are still available for the model.

Smallwares and racks

Pans, racks, carts and utensils rarely justify buying new unless you want a matching look.

Equipment that is better bought new

Ice machines

Ice is food, and an ice machine that has not been cleaned correctly can hold biofilm that is hard to see. Evaporators, water systems and sensors wear, and descaling history matters. A new ice machine starts clean and fits your water conditions. Used can work if the seller can show service records and you can inspect the interior.

Dishwashers and glasswashers

Dishwashers face heat, chemicals and scale every day. Pumps, heating elements, wash arms and booster heaters all wear, and a failing machine stops your whole dish room. New commercial dishwashers and glasswashers are usually worth the cost. If you do buy used, check that it can meet the final-rinse temperature your health authority expects.

Espresso machines and coffee brewers

Boilers, valves and pumps in espresso machines develop scale and leaks. The cost of rebuilding often closes the gap with new.

Combi ovens and steamers

Combi ovens have steam generators, sensors, control boards and software. They are expensive to repair when something fails, and a unit that was descaled poorly can have hidden damage. A new combi oven is simpler to support. If a used one is on the table, require full service records. The Lainox 10-pan electric combi shows what a pre-owned combi listing looks like, with the details to review before you buy.

Fryers, if oil management matters

Used fryers can work well when the tank has no leaks and the thermostat and high-limit are in order. New is a better choice if you need a built-in filtration system or a specific energy rating.

Certification, installation and the BC rules that apply to used equipment

Used does not mean exempt from code. In BC, electrical equipment must carry a certification mark from an accredited agency (for example CSA or similar) and gas appliances must bear a certification or approval mark before they can be installed. A used appliance missing its data plate or mark may need a field approval, which adds time and cost. Gas work is done by a licensed gas fitter under permit, and your health authority will want to see that equipment is easy to clean. Check the data plate for voltage, phase and gas type before you buy, because a 208 V three-phase unit will not run on a single-phase circuit without changes.

Where to buy used equipment

You have three common routes: online classifieds, auctions and dealers. Classifieds and auctions can offer low prices but put the inspection and the risk on you. A dealer that sells certified pre-owned equipment inspects units first and can answer questions about the model. At Babak Food Equipment our own used stock is sold as certified pre-owned. Browse the full used restaurant equipment category, and see our guides on leasing used restaurant equipment if you want to spread the cost.

Used vs new summary table

Frequently Asked Questions

Browse our Used Restaurant Equipment category or compare against new in refrigeration and cooking equipment. Visit the Burnaby showroom at 7190 Randolph Ave or call (604) 566-9747 to request a quote. Pricing, availability, delivery and installation are confirmed at the time of purchase.