Starting a bakery that will run efficiently, produce consistent products and cope with a busy production schedule relies on your choice of equipment . For any bakery, investing in reliable tools is not just about meeting demand but about maintaining high standards that guarantee customers returning.
With over 60 years of experience supplying UK bakeries, the team at Creeds Direct knows exactly which pieces of equipment make the biggest difference. To help you in your journey, this article has collated the essential equipment for starting a successful bakery.
Are You Starting a Bakery Business?
If you’re thinking of starting a bakery business, chances are you have a deep passion for baking and want to transform that love into a thriving business.
Maybe you’re an entrepreneur at heart, spotting an opportunity in the market and using your business savvy to fill a niche or serve your community with your unique baked goods.
Or perhaps you’re starting small, testing your creations from home before leaping to a full-scale bakery. Whatever your situation, you will need the correct commercial bakery equipment.
What Type of Oven Does a Commercial Bakery Need?
The most essential machine for a bakery starts with the oven.
Bakery ovens are crucial for baking cakes, bread and pastries. The most common options for commercial bakeries are:
Convection ovens are versatile and widely used in smaller bakeries and cafes. They circulate heat evenly and are suitable for a broad range of products.
Deck ovens are a favourite for artisan bread bakers. They deliver a high, direct heat ideal for achieving great crust and texture on tin loaves and sourdoughs.
Rack ovens are the best choice for high-output bakery production. Multiple trays bake at once, making them ideal for larger wholesale bakeries.
By investing in a high-quality commercial oven, you not only improve the consistency and quality of your products but also increase efficiency. You will find deck ovens are popular for bread, while convection ovens are ideal for other baked goods.
Read our article on How to Choose the Right Commercial Oven for Your Bakery.
Do You Need a Commercial Dough Mixer When Starting Out?
Yes, and it should be a priority purchase. Mixing dough by hand at any kind of commercial scale is not practical. Commercial dough mixers, also known as dough kneaders, are vital for preparing large batches of dough and cake batter. They use rotating paddles or blades to knead dough efficiently, developing the gluten that ensures a good rise when baked.
For a start-up bakery, a spiral mixer is often the best initial investment. Planetary mixers are also worth considering if your product range includes cakes, creams, or lighter batters alongside bread.
Read our dough mixer comparison guide to find the right mixer for your bakery
or
Explore the full dough mixer range at Creeds Direct.
Models can be available on flexible finance for Limited Companies, so you do not have to absorb the full cost upfront.
What Preparation Equipment Does a New Bakery Need Day to Day?
Beyond the big machines, a bakery needs a solid set of preparation tools to run smoothly. These are the items that get used constantly throughout a working day.
Key prep equipment for a new bakery includes:
Dough dividers: for portioning dough quickly and accurately. Essential once you move beyond the smallest volumes.
Pastry sheeters: for rolling and laminating dough to a consistent thickness. Great for croissants, pastries and pies.
Bread Slicers: allow you to quickly and evenly slice through loaves. They significantly reduce time and effort compared to manual slicing.
Proofing cabinets: these maintain the right temperature and humidity to let dough rise evenly. (Regulated proofing is one of the key factors in consistent bread.)
Mixing bowls, scrapers and spatulas: the smaller tools matter more than people realise . Quality prep utensils save time and keep stations organised.
Our food preparation equipment range covers everything from heavy-duty industrial tools down to everyday utensils.
Read our guide on the Essential Food Preparation Equipment Every Bakery Should Own
or
Explore the full food preparation equipment range at Creeds Direct, which covers everything from heavy-duty industrial tools down to everyday utensils.
What Storage and Refrigeration Does a Start-Up Bakery Need?
Refrigeration keeps your ingredients fresh and prepared in advance without compromising quality.
The storage and refrigeration equipment a start-up bakery needs is:
- Cold storage for perishable ingredients like dairy and eggs
- Space for pre-prepared dough that needs to prove overnight
Cold Storage Solutions are available at Creeds Direct in different sizes to suit your specific bakery no matter how large or small. These solutions ensure that perishable ingredients, such as dairy, yeast and dough, are kept at optimal temperatures to maintain their freshness and quality.
What Bakery Utensils Does a New Bakery Need?
In addition to these essential machines, new bakeries need to invest in high-quality bakery utensils which will be used day-in and out in the bakery.
At Creeds Direct, you’ll find baking utensils for beginner and experienced bakers to help you start a successful bakery. Follow this list for your bakery utensil essentials:
- – Bakeware: solid stainless steel and aluminised steel tins, baking rings, frames and trays.
- – Baking brushes: pastry, round wash, grease and table brushes.
- – Bread slicer blades: titanium-coated , Teflon-coated, and steel options.
- – Cutting equipment: pastry cutters, confectioners’ harps , apple peelers, croissant cutters and scissors.
- – Knives: dough, chef, slicing, utility, palette, confectioners’ knives and more.
- – Oven thermometers: infrared, probe, cold room and jam/sugar thermometers
- – Storage shelving: wire storage shelves made of coated steel, perfect for ambient, freezer or cold room temperatures.
- – Display equipment: food display products made out of SAN (styrene acrylonitrile)
- – Food packaging solutions: colour-coded bag sealing tape, heat sealing tools, bags and film
- – Food preparation equipment: mixing bowls, sieves, bakery scrapers, spatulas, whisks, rolling pins and food scoops.
How Do You Display Your Products Once They Come Out of the Oven?
Presentation sells. Your baked goods should look as good as they taste, and the right display equipment plays a big part in that.
Our bakery display trays are made from SAN material, which is scratch-resistant, shatterproof and heat-resistant up to 90 degrees. They are designed for a busy commercial environment and come in a range of sizes and in 2 colours to fit different requirements .
Where Do You Start When Buying Equipment for a New Bakery?
Start with what you need to produce your core products and build from there. A dough mixer, a good oven, basic prep tools and refrigeration will get you up and running. Add specialist machines as your volume grows.
At Creeds Direct, we’re here to help you every step of the way, providing high-quality bakery tools and utensils for both beginner and experienced bakers.
If you are putting together a list and want advice on what suits your specific setup, the Creeds Direct team is here to help. We have ex-professional bakers on hand who understand what a real working bakery needs.
Contact us today and equip your bakery for success or explore our website and take the first step toward building your dream bakery!
