Perhaps the best way to begin is by reiterating the fact that ice is food and it should be treated as such, with proper food safety practices and precautions.  At Mission Restaurant Supply we strongly believe in the importance of water filtration and below we will tell you why:

As time wears on, so does the water within your ice machine that is frozen to make ice. Water, in its natural form, carries with it impurities and minerals that will build-up within your machine in the form of lime and scale. (Find out more about that here!) This build-up creates a blockage, much like cholesterol does within an artery, and it makes it harder for the water to pass through. This inherently makes the machine have to work harder and it raises the operating temperatures of the unit which can do irreversible damage to the machine. By investing in a water filtration system, the impurities within the incoming water can be captured and sifted out before the water runs through the interior of the machine. Thus, no lime, no scale, and better operation all around.

Without this water filtration system, the ice formed with the unfiltered water will eventually have a a foul smell and a discolored appearance. Talk about leaving a bad taste in you customer’s mouth!  For your customer (and yourself) this is an undeniable turn off and an obvious indication that maintenance is not being adhered to. Investing in one of our Water Filters will do the following:

• Filter Dirt and Sediment from the incoming water
• Eliminate bad tastes and odors from the impure water
• Inhibit lime scale accumulation
• Prolong the life of your investment

Invest in a Water Filtration System (or get a replacement cartridge for your existing set-up) and start seeing clearer,  cleaner results, along with better operating performance. Have questions on which filter you need? Call us at 800-319-0690 and let us find you the right fit!

What makes a dining experience memorable for you? The question is subjective to every diner- it could be a great waiter or waitress, attention to the minute details, a fantastic dish, delicious wine- but one thing that almost always is consistent is lighting. As a restaurateur, having a warm glow and soft light on your diners’ tables is a great way to leave a lasting memory in the minds of your customers. It sets the tone, enhances the ambiance, and creates a relaxed, romantic mood that will better the dining experience. At Mission Restaurant Supply we have a huge selection of votives, tea lights and candle lights by Hollowick, a company that has been creating beautiful lighting for the foodservice industry since 1971! The product selection is reminiscent of a large treasure trove of jewel-colored votives and lamps that will bring your tables to life. There are a number of options and choosing can oftentimes be overwhelming, which is why we’ve broken down the different finishes along with some of the top-selling styles so that you will have a clear idea of the different designs available. 

Which will you choose? Shop through the extensive selection of Candles and Votives by Hollowick at Mission Restaurant Supply and achieve a warm, inviting ambiance at your dining establishment.

Want to spruce up the dining room at home? These candles are also a best-seller for our fans outside of the foodservice industry!

Throwing this kind of party takes having a reliable pizza dough recipe you can count on, and after finding Patricia Wells’s simple and delicious version, we are forever hooked.

The best part about entertaining with fresh pizza is that the dough can be prepared ahead of time (using a good food processor like this one) making it a stress-free ordeal for the host. So all that’s left to do is to set out a big smorgasbord of veggies, meats, cheeses, and whatever other toppings you enjoy, and have plenty of vino flowing!

Our latest attempt at the homemade pizza was aimed at incorporating more veggies into the mix. So Pizza Primavera it was! Chopped up mushrooms, sliced bell peppers, zucchini shreds and loads of chevre goat cheese (of course) made the perfect Pizza Primavera. Top off with a light drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of coarse salt, and some red pepper flakes and you are all set!

TIP: Lightly salt the veggies before you cook for the most delicious flavor.

Mission has all the Pizza Supplies for your home or business- from Pizza Pans to Pizza Cutters &  More!

In the foodservice industry the importance of safety when using gas-operated equipment is paramount. Having a heavy-duty gas connection hose that will not only meet code but withstand the rigors of commercial use is therefore an essential part of your kitchen safety and should be a conscious part of your design considerations. (Unfortunately, this small- yet very important detail- is a specification people often forget about until the site inspector comes to your facility.)

Picture Courtesy of Dormont

At Mission Restaurant Supply, we carry Dormont Gas Connection Hoses which comply with the latest standards in the industry. Recently, flexible commercial gas connection hoses have come to be “the norm” and regarded as the best option for your gas equipment, as opposed to the traditional hard, rigid connections of the past. There are a few key reasons for this:

Why Use A Flexible Gas Connection Hose?

• The flexibility of the design makes hooking up your gas-operated appliances from the rear connection to the gas piping much easier, not to mention much closer to the wall. With a rigid hose, there is not as much maneuverability and equipment is restricted from getting close to the wall.
• Dormont’s Flexible Gas Connection Hoses are certified by NSF International where as Rigid Hoses are not.
• Cleanability is essential throughout your foodservice facility and this couldn’t be more true than in greasy, flammable areas (i.e. by your gas-operated cooking equipment.) With a flexible gas connection hose, a range or gas- powered unit on casters can be mobile for thorough cleaning and maintenance underneath and around the unit.
• Dormont’s Flexible Gas Hoses meet updated codes, including ANSI Z21.69/CSA 6.16: Connectors for Moveable Gas Appliances and CAN/CSA B149.1: Natural Gas and Propane Installation

   

Too often, a new restaurant or foodservice facility will be designed without giving much consideration to the gas connection hoses required for operation. This small yet necessary specification item is essentially the way to “feed” your gas-powered equipment, and at Mission, we like to stress the importance of investing in a quality “feed tube” to make sure your equipment operates at its best. Dormont’s commercial gas connection hoses and kits are a great investment that will complement your equipment. To verify the size of the gas inlet and the length that your equipment needs, check the manufacturer specification sheet for more details or call one of our team members at Mission (800-319-0690) – we’d be glad to help!

NSF International :: The Public Health and Safety Company,™

“NSF”, which stands for National Sanitation Foundation, is an agency that is dedicated to protecting the environment and  public health safety across a wide range of industries and products. In the foodservice industry specifically, the NSF approval means a few things in the mind of the customer. First, this listing reassures that equipment has met health standards and has undergone rigorous inspection testing which in turn instills confidence in the end user’s purchasing decision. Second, having this stamp of safety on your equipment tells your health authorities that you have made a sound decision by investing in equipment that is constructed with proper sanitation principles in mind. Below are a few of the different NSF “Standards” that have been created to meet various equipment types:

• ANSI/NSF Standard 3: Commercial Spray-Type Dishmachines
• ANSI/NSF Standard 4: Commercial Cooking Equipment, Rethermailization & Hot Food Holding & Transportation Equipment
• ANSI/NSF Standard 7: Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers
• ANSI/NSF Standard 12: Automatic Ice Machine Equipment
• ANSI/NSF Standard 18: Food & Beverage Dispensing Equipment

ANSI = American National Standards Institute

 Underwriters Laboratories Inc. – UL

Since 1894, UL has been one of the leading agencies in safety certification with 75 years of experience in the foodservice industry dealing with cooking equipment, refrigeration, food processing equipment and food preparation for manufacturers of gas and electric equipment. Equipment can be tested for a UL listing for Electrical Safety, Gas Safety and Sanitation. This non-profit, independent agency has nearly 20 different UL safety standards just for the commercial foodservice industry.

Energy Star®:

When people see the blue Energy Star sticker on a piece of equipment, there is a level of confidence that is added to the user experience. Energy Star was introduced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy as an initiative to help the end-user find products that not only saved energy (and energy costs) but also helped the environment. Originally, this program was solely dedicated to the residential sector, ranging from home heating to home appliances, but in 2001 that all changed. At this time the EPA expanded the Energy Star® effort to the commercial refrigeration equipment sector. Later they rolled out the program to steamers, fryers, holding cabinets and other cooking equipment, and they continue to add this seal of energy efficiency to other categories in foodservice.

ETL: Electronic Testing Laboratories {ETL/Semco/Intertek}

Founded in 1896, ETL is an independent testing agency owned by Intertek that does third-party testing and and certification of commercial foodservice equipment (electric, gas fired, and other safety standards). In a nutshell, an ETL listed item is proof of product safety. ETL is recognized by OSHA as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) like UL, CSA, and other independent testing agencies and it has become a major, reputable source over the years. For a manufacturer to get the ETL approval, there must first be a design review followed by the testing period and finally a regular follow up service to ensure that standards are continually being complied to.

Crown Verity is a brand that’s made their name by manufacturing state-of-the-art Outdoor Grills and Charbroilers but they also have a number of other types of equipment, from steamers to fryers and patio heaters- Check out the whole product line here!

Crown Verity’s line of professional series portable BBQ grills is the focal point of this discussion and they are designed for the most discerning grill enthusiast. Convenience, durability, mobility and quick fire up times are just a few of the things that make them different from the competition, bringing a “stainless reputation” and a whole new level of performance to the user experience. Plus, by making commercial chefs a central piece of the puzzle throughout the design process, Crown Verity is able to deliver a product that not only solves day-to-day challenges but also conveniently creates opportunities that are unparalleled in the industry.

Why Choose A Crown Verity Professional BBQ Grill?

• Crown Verity Gas Grills are constructed of high quality 300 series stainless steel throughout, from the legs to the water pans, the bolts and connector pins to the lighter tubes. Even the cooking grates are made of #304 stainless steel as opposed to competitors’ grills which are made of 400 series stainless steel, cast iron, chrome/nickel plated or porcelain coated grates-all of which will rust over time. These fine materials will simply make your grill last the longest amount of time possible while making for easy cleaning.
• Crown Verity Grills are shipped on a wooden crate fully assembled and ready to go. That means no tools required- simply unpack, connect to gas and start grilling!
• Independent s/s burners, each at 15,000 btu take the grill to its fullest cooking potential in under six minutes!
• Want to customize your grill? Not a problem. Crown Verity has numerous accessory components , from the roll tops to vinyl covers and shelves, upgrading the experience and usability of the grill.
• Movability is a huge selling point with Crown Verity Grills thanks to the large, lockable casters for simple portability.
• All water pans are removable which makes for easy cleaning while eliminating flare ups caused by dripping grease and fat.
• Available to you in a number of sizes: 28” wide, 34” wide, 46” wide, 58” wide and 70” wide in both natural and LP gas. That’s a size everyone from serious home chefs to volume feeders like resorts and country clubs can take advantage of.

All images courtesy of Crown Verity

 Here are the top considerations for you to take in when investing in flatware:

APPEARANCE: Does it fit the decor of your establishment and compliment your tabletop? At Mission we stock a large assortment of flatware from the most basic designs to elaborate patterns.

COST: Is the cost justifiable for not only the initial purchase but replacement purchases down the line?

WEIGHT: Since the weight of flatware is a true sign of its quality, are you purchasing flatware that will make a good impression in the mind of your customer?

DURABILITY: Will the flatware you choose weather the test of time with heavy commercial use?

Stainless steel flatware is the most popular kind in the foodservice industry and it comes in many varieties for you, the most common being 18/0 and 18/8 or 18/10. The numbers represent the amount of chromium and nickel that are in the steel alloy. Chromium in effect is what gives the stainless its “hardness” and luster while nickel is what is adhered to the base metal to resist corrosion. Chromium also plays a major role in resisting corrosion. Here is the basic break down:

18/0 stainless: 18/0 stainless is the best economical option for the price-conscious customer. Here are some features of 18/0 stainless steel:

• 18% chromium 0% nickel
• Subject to staining
• Soft Shine
• Light Weight

• Cost-Effective

18/8 or 18/10 stainless: By adding nickel to the equation, this type of stainless flatware is going to be a step above the 18/0.

• Durable
• Brilliant Luster
• Rust-Resistant
• Easy to maintain
• Ok in chemical sanitizing dishmachines

Get the best variety and the best wholesale prices on Stainless Steel Flatware for your restaurant business or your home when you shop at Mission Restaurant Supply! 

{Header Image via Pinterest. Check out more from our Pinterest right here!}

Purchasing Food Storage Containers is an inevitable investment which is why we hope you’ll weigh out the various options available to you. Take a look at the CamSquare® food storage containers by Cambro that have been newly-added to the site and save on our specially-marked pricing!

The microwave oven is one of the most widely used items in all kitchens, both commercial and residential, yet interestingly, its’ performance is one of the most misunderstood. So how does it actually work?

In a nutshell, a microwave oven takes electricity and converts it into invisible electromagnetic waves which move at the speed of light. These energetic microwaves then penetrate food (from 0.5 to 0.75 inches deep) and are absorbed by the fat and water molecules in your food. This causes the molecules to vibrate rapidly which in turn creates friction and heat. This heat is what warms or cooks your food.

Pretty cool, right? 

Here are some interesting facts and interesting microwave mythbusters:

• Electricity is converted into microwaves by magnetron tubes, which were designed specifically for this purpose.
• Metal reflects energy which is why the interior sides of a microwave oven cavity are made of metal
• Contrary to popular belief, microwave ovens cook from the outside in- NOT the inside out.
• So why do they cook so much faster than a conventional oven? Microwave ovens cook faster than conventional ovens because  when the microwaves penetrate food (0.5”-0.75” deep), there is more heat created in the outside portion of the food which then moves more quickly to warm/cook the inside.
• Metal plates and aluminum foil should never be used with food in a microwave because the waves will deflect off preventing cooking. This could also result in potential overheating of the magnetron.
• Standard microwave ovens don’t have the ability to brown food. To solve this issue, manufacturers have introduced combination convection/microwave ovens which utilize dry heat and air plus speed to produce cook times up to 80% faster than a traditional convection oven.

Mission Restaurant Supply has a quality assortment of both standard and combination Microwave Ovens by manufacturers like Amana and Panasonic. Have questions on which oven is the right investment for your business or home? Call us at 800-319-0690 and let our sales team help you make the right choice!

It’s been a whirlwind 25 years, friends! We can’t believe that a full quarter century has passed since Mission’s inception in March of 1988, but we are proud of our journey and humbled by your unwavering support. (For a little history on our name and our brand, visit this article!) Many things have changed over the course of our history, from new showroom locations to new family additions, but one thing has never wavered and that is our commitment to you, our customers, along with our compassion for what we do.

The foodservice industry is a bustling, dynamic force for our economy, acting as one of the largest employers in the nation, and it is our job to make sure that all of these places of employment, including restaurants, bars, schools and hospital kitchens, are equipped with the finest commercial equipment and supplies. We were honored in 2012 to be named Dealer of the Year by FE&S Magazine and that achievement could never have been reached without your help. The Mission Culture is rooted in family, honesty, industry expertise, continuing education, respect and a commitment to always doing the right thing.  We strongly believe that these principles in addition to your relationships will help us carry on stronger than ever, now and in the future.

To celebrate this momentous anniversary, we’d like to invite you to celebrate with us at any of our 5 showrooms for the week of March 25-March 30, 2013. If you live in vicinity of one of our 5 showrooms, we hope that you will join us as we kick off the next 25 years! 

We hope to see you all there- there will be lots of door prizes, free cake, specials valid just for the week ($25 off $250 or more) and you can also register to win an Apple IPad!

Please note that our Corpus Christi showroom will be having their cake on Thursday the 28th of March, 2013 as a joint celebration of our anniversary and their newly-revamped/renovated showroom! Please call 800-319-0690 for further questions and details!