Grilling Tips & Techniques

How do you grill?

As this weekend is Labor Day weekend, most people will be firing up their grills for one of the last times this summer, if not the last time. So, we want to make sure your grilling is done perfectly. Rounding out the season with the best grilled meal possible. Read on to find out our grilling tips and techniques that we think everyone should know when it comes to grilling their meats and vegetables.

One. The first tip, that sometimes people forget, is to give your grill plenty of time to preheat. If you don't preheat your grill, it's a good chance your food will cook unevenly. One side can be charred while the other still raw, and that's no way to serve food. Approximately 15 - 25 minutes is a good amount of time to wait once you've turn on the grill. A grill is more temperamental than a skillet on a stove, but even that you are supposed to give time to preheat. Why not start off on the right foot by simply waiting a few minutes?

Two. Now, when it comes to putting the food on the grill, it's always better to marinate your food first. This is an item of preference, but most grilled food is better when it's been marinated. Look online for marinating recipes, or find bottles of premade marinades at your local grocery store. You'd be surprised at how well grilling locks in a flavor. Foods like chicken or fish hold a flavor amazingly when they're marinated, so don't skip this important step.

Three. The amount of thoroughness food is to be cooked differs based on both type of food and personal preference, so you always want to check the temperature when you're grilling. The last thing you want to do is undercook food, making others ill. Use a guide for the optimal internal temperature before serving. To do this properly, use a meat thermometer. Simply stick the end of the thermometer into the center of your food and wait for the reading. If it matches the temperature for that type of food, it's ready to be served. There are plenty of guides online that break optimal temperature down by food category.

Four. Once you're finished cooking, you can do the next most important step: clean off your grill. This is easily done by using a grill scraper. If your food stuck last time, or there are remnants of crispy black on your grate, you need to scrape this off. Obviously you can't just wash off your grill easily, or stick it in the washing machine, so to care for your grill, you must instead scrape the metal rods.  Just think, if this was a skillet, you'd wash it before using it again, so why is a grill any different. Scrape it off so you get the best taste possible. For this simply use a grill scraper like this one here.

And there's the list. Do you already use these techniques while grilling? Do you have others that you'd like to share? Leave your tips or techniques in the comments section for others to read!


photo credit: Robert S. Donovan via photopin cc

Limited Edition Bacon N' Egg Chef Shoes!

Whether its in a fast food restaurant, working as a drive-thru employee, or the head chef in an upscale restaurant, a chef uniform can have its dull days. So why not liven up your uniform with a touch of personalization. If you've heard of the manufacturer MOZO, then you know you have options for your footwear. If your position allows it, you can even choose from shoes that are yellow, green, brown, print, pink, or plain black. However, besides colored options, you also have a limited time option, that's only available from Public Kitchen Supply.
These shoes are a fantastic choice for any chef that has a sense of humor, and the best part, you don't have to be a chef to wear them. If you love unique styles of footwear, than these are for you!
MOZO shoes are among the most comfortable footwear available. With their unique materials and clog shaped silhouettes, their main goal is to keep your feet cushioned. The Bacon N' Egg Sharkz Shoes are a pairing of one shoe bacon and one shoe egg with a combination that will be sure to start some conversations wherever you go. The print is just the tip of the iceberg though, with their MOZOFit™ System, they allow you to create the most customized fit ever thought possible. Thanks to three removable insoles found within the shoe, you are able to take one or two out, or put them in depending on the size of your foot. No other shoe boasts such a unique sizing technique.
The Bacon N' Egg Sharkz shoes use some of the most lightweight materials available. No one wants to have heavy shoes when they're stuck in them all day long. Having lightweight materials makes you feel like your feet aren't confined for hours. The bottom sole is slip-resistant, with the understanding that the floor of a restaurant kitchen is typically anything but clean and dry. You need shoes that support you and keep you moving quickly.
When you're ready to kick your chef uniform up a notch, try these Bacon N' Egg Sharkz Shoes. Only available at Public Kitchen Supply and only for a limited time.

Which Vitamix Blender is Right for You?

Which blender is right for you? That's the question. Every chef, whether they're in a restaurant kitchen, or in their own home kitchen, has different needs. So, how do you translate your needs into purchasing the perfect kitchen tool for yourself?
One of our most popular manufacturers, Vitamix, produces top-notch blenders for both restaurants and home users. With a huge line of blenders and accessories for these given blenders, which do you choose? We, at Public Kitchen Supply, will try to help you make the decision.
First, let's take a look at the Vitamix Drink Machine. This simple blender is one of the more affordable and basic commercial-grade blender models from Vitamix. A simple control panel with a polycarbonate container allows the user to blend just what they need. Though affordable, it is still packed with a 2 peak HP motor that works hard. It even has six pre-programmed settings that can be customized so that you can create the same blends every single time. The Drink Machine blender is even smart enough to turn off automatically when it is finished. It's a great Vitamix blender for those looking for an affordable yet high quality option.
	Next, The "Quiet One" Blender. This blending system tends to find itself more in restaurants or bars; places that will spend a little bit more money on their blenders to ensure the atmosphere is not disrupted. The included sound enclosure works hard to block the sound from traveling. Heavy-duty, dependable, and durable are the perfect adjectives to describe this commercial blender from Vitamix. 34 programs available for consistency and a easy-to-read LCD display means that it was meant for commercial use, and easy to train employees on. This "The Quiet One" Blender is great for busy coffee shops who need quick and reliable equipment.
Another affordable option from Vitamix is the BarBoss Advance Blending System. A wide range of features make this system unique for a commercial blending unit. With the sleek red base, it's designed to stand out on a bar countertop. It contains just six programs for consistency and includes a pulse button. Like the rest of the Vitamix blenders, this one includes a clear polycarbonate blender container for blending your perfect portions. Like the Drink Machine blender, this compact blender is packed with a 2 peak HP output motor that handles thick ingredients just as well as thin liquids, making it great for bars who need an affordable yet powerful blender.
	High-Performance Blending is synonymous with Vitamix and in particular the Blending Station Advance from Vitamix. This commercial-grade system is one of the highest-quality systems that Vitamix has to offer and its no surprise why; it'd be difficult to pack any more features into a blender than they already do. From a sound enclosure that blocks the noise, to a 3 HP motor, to the standard automatic shut-off feature, it's great for commercial locations that serve blended drinks or foods. The greatest feature by far though is its 93 variable speeds and 34 program settings to provide the best consistency. If you run a restaurant or smoothie shop, you'll be more than satisfied with the performance this Blending Station Advance will provide.
And there you have it. Those are those most popular commercial-grade blender options from Vitamix. So how exactly do you decide which is for you? Start by making a list of your must-have features. Whichever option both fits your budget and has the most amount of features is the right blending system for you! We hope this list helps you find the ideal one, and feel free to peruse our site at Public Kitchen Supply for more Vitamix blender options and their accessories.

Tipping Controversy: Warranted or Not?

What are your thoughts on automatically added tips when you're dining at a restaurant?

If you haven't heard about this recent tipping controversy, then let us, at Public Kitchen Supply, give you some back story and pose a few questions. In the last few weeks, some New York City restaurants are coming under fire for building in a tip to your bill when you dine out at their restaurant. Yes, you may say they already do that on parties that have over 8 people. This is not the same, this is every table, regardless of the amount of people.

These restaurants claim that these tips, though added to your bill when it's brought to you, is "optional." You have the power to cross out the 18% tip and instead include your own or, if you're feeling generous, you can include an additional tip beyond the 18%. 

As you can imagine, some people are obviously upset over this. It creates the sense that you have to pay their percentage, even if you don't feel it's warranted. When it comes down to it, most people don't want to feel forced to pay a waiter or waitress a set amount of money. They get that amount of money regardless of how well or poorly they performed. If you see your bill and you've automatically got an 18% tip on the bill and your waiter forgot your salad, left your drink empty for several minutes, and then messed up your entree, you would expect to have the option to leave a poor tip, not see a bill that already gave them an 18% tip. 

Some people also assume that automatically building in a tip creates a sense that the wait staff can slack off because they know they're getting an 18% tip regardless of how they perform, so why go above and beyond?

While these restaurants have signs saying you are allowed to cross out that tip and leave your own, some people feel like that's poor etiquette and that you should just pay that amount if they want to go back to that restaurant at some point. So how do you deal with a restaurant that does this? Would you continue to go or stop so you don't feel the pressure? 

If you were a restaurant owner, would you add a "optional" automatic tip to every bill?

If this caught on and became a national trend, would you feel it was justified?

Farmers Market Tips

One of the greatest things about summer is the ability to go to farmers markets every weekend. You get to skip the grocery store and go straight to the farmer who can give you the freshest produce possible. They can help you find the ripest fruit, teach you tips on how to pick one item over another, and tell you how long it should keep. It's personalized service! At Public Kitchen Supply, we know that to use our kitchen smallwares, you have to start with great ingredients.

Personalized service isn't the only benefit of a farmers market though, it's also healthier for you, not to mention it's helping your local farmers. Fresh produce can have such a richer flavor than store bought produce, it's incredibly hard to pass up.

Don't expect to just find fruit and veggies at a farmers market either, some vendors bring baked goods like homemade breads, biscuits, or cookies.  Now, the basics of farmers market shopping. Get there early! The earlier you are, the better selection you have to pick from. Here's the way it works: most farmers will bring a batch of goods and once they're gone, they'll pack up and leave. If you come later in the day, half the sellers may have already come and gone. Find out what time your local farmers market opens and get there close to opening. Not so early that people are still setting up, but not so late that you miss the goods. Also remember to bring cash and your own bags. In this day and age, we're used to people providing us bags and taking debit cards. Do not expect that of a farmers market. You might end up having to take multiple trips back to the car if you forget bags or might not getting anything at all if you forget cash. To reiterate above, ask questions. Most of the sellers don't mind answering questions about what they're selling. So if you're wondering something, just ask! Also, don't go overboard. Think about what you are actually willing to make throughout the week. You don't want to overbuy and end up wasting the food simply because it looked good. Only buy what you will use for the week. You can always come back next weekend and buy more! And there you have it. The basics of a farmers market from Public Kitchen Supply. It's a great way to enjoy the weather, get the freshest produce available, and have great meals all week long.

Touch Free Restrooms: the New Restaurant Trend

Did you know that a dirty restroom affects the way people perceive a restaurant's cleanliness? In fact, approximately one-third of people will never go back to a restaurant that has a dirty restroom, as discussed in this article from UPI.com. A survey claims this impressive fact; however, at Public Kitchen Supply, we do have a solution for this problem.
The solution is simple. Eliminate the transfer of germs or waste. With ever-changing technology, more and more of our appliances are becoming automated. Only just a few years ago we were amazed/shocked by automatic toilets. We love them, when they work; have hated them when they flush unprovoked, but all-in-all have learned to accept them as the new norm. Now, if you go into a public restroom you assume it'll flush for you, eliminating having to touch the germ-ridden handle.	Rubbermaid - Auto Flush
San Jamar - Chef Revival  Paper Towel Dispenser	It's no wonder that since then, more restaurants are turning their entire restroom into a touch-free haven. It's becoming easier to do this with the amount of touch-free restroom supplies being offered. You can choose to have your toilet flush automatically, your sink water turn on and off for you, the soap dispense automatically into your hand. Then, you can dry your hands with a paper towel dispenser that senses when you need a piece. All that remains left to be turned automatic is the toilet paper dispensers and doors.
Switching from the traditional manual appliances to touchless restroom supplies is a great way to keep your restaurant feeling clean. The less your customer has to touch, the more clean they feel, and the more clean they'll perceive your restaurant to be. It all goes hand-in-hand. If you're willing to spend a bit more to turn your restaurant restroom into an up-to-date automatic restroom, then they'll know you're serious about hygiene. The hygiene of your restroom translates back to the hygiene of your kitchen. Logically, there's a good chance you'll put into effect the same ways to eliminate cross-contamination of food and germs where the food is being made as you did in your restroom.	Chemco - Touchless Dispenser  for Hand Sanitizer
Whether you've already got touch-free appliances in your restaurant bathrooms and need to replace them, or you're ready to update, Public Kitchen Supply wants to help you. We know it can be tough and that's why we've got a selection of automatic restroom supplies on sale right now like our Auto Faucets and Hand Dryers.

Rubbermaid - Milano Auto Faucet	World Dryer - Auto Hand Dryer	Rubbermaid - Foot Step Trash Container

How to: Pick and Cut a Pineapple

With each new summer, people wonder how to cut a pineapple correctly, and the truth is - there's no wrong or right way. There is an easy way, however, and we’ll walk you through it step-by-step.
Step One: Pick Your Pineapple –
Smell. Your nose is the most important tool here. When you pick a ripe pineapple it should, in fact, smell like a pineapple. It should have that sweet smell if it’s ready. The best place to smell for this is at the bottom of the fruit.
There are a few other tricks for picking the ripest pineapple, but smelling it is the tried and true method that most people swear by.
Step Two: Prepare Your Pineapple –
It’s highly suggested that, just like any other fruit, you wash your pineapple first with either warm water or with a fruit cleansing spray that you can find in your local grocery store. Though you don’t eat the outside of a pineapple, when you cut through the outside rind, any contaminates can be transferred into the pineapple itself, contaminating the fruit.
Once you’re done washing, pick your knife. We suggest a sharp and durable blade such as a Chef's Knife or a Cook’s Knife. The thicker blade of either of these two knives allow you to cut through more of the large fruit than a tiny steak knife or paring knife. You can find a great selection of knifes to select from in our cutlery category.
Step Three: Start Cutting –
The best way to begin cutting your pineapple is to slice off the top part of the pineapple, with the leaves, and then the bottom part. Slice as close to the rind as you possibly can to preserve more of the fruit.
Next, you’ll want to cut off the sides of the pineapple. This is best done by standing the fruit up and simply slicing down longways along the sides. It will probably take you about five passes to get all the sides off.
You’re almost done! Next you’ll want to slice your pineapple into rings. This helps you get the core out faster. Now that you've got your slices, grab a paring knife to cut out the core. Stack a few rings at a time to do this. Once the core is out, either keep it in rings or turn your rings into pineapple pieces by dicing it. For this, continue to use your Cook’s Knife or Chef’s Knife.
Voila! You’re done. It’s much simpler than people think especially with Public Kitchen Supply’s wide selection of high-quality cutlery to make the slicing go faster. If you’re looking for more than just the tools we've used here, simply visit Public Kitchen Supply on the web www.PublicKitchenSupply.com.