Shipping containers are becoming a popular choice for construction, thanks to their cost-effectiveness and sustainability. These shipping containers can be converted into a portable kitchen that is not only functional but also compact and mobile, making them ideal for businesses that need to move frequently.
Additionally, the durability and versatility of shipping containers make them a reliable option for businesses that require a sturdy and adaptable workspace.
Flexibility and mobility have become increasingly important, both in our personal lives and in business in today’s fast-paced world. This has led to a growing interest in portable solutions that can be easily moved and adapted to different environments.
One such solution is a portable kitchen, which can offer a unique and versatile way to meet cooking and dining needs in a range of settings.
Whether you are a homeowner looking to add a functional and stylish kitchen to your backyard or a business owner seeking to provide catering services at various locations, a portable kitchen can offer a creative and viable solution.
Why use a shipping container for a portable kitchen
Shipping containers have emerged as a practical building solution for everything from homes to long-term storage, mobile workshops, small businesses, and more. For people looking for some extra kitchen space for either residential or commercial purposes, a converted shipping container might fit the bill.
Shipping containers are popular for a number of reasons. They are often much more affordable than buying or renting a brick-and-mortar space. They are also an eco-friendly building option because they can make use of recycled materials – perfectly good shipping containers that sit idle after a single cargo trip – rather than using traditional construction materials.
Shipping containers make extremely durable kitchens thanks to their steel construction, designed to withstand high winds and all sorts of weather aboard cargo ships. This makes them highly secure against intruders and pests, and they require less maintenance than many conventional buildings. Shipping containers are also beloved for their versatility. These containers can be transformed for virtually any purpose and any design sensibility. And, they are portable, so you can transport your kitchen wherever you need to be.
If you have a culinary business or you’re looking for supplemental kitchen space at home, consider the benefits of a shipping container kitchen.
Choosing the right shipping container and portable kitchen
So what does it take to build a shipping container kitchen? Gateway Containers specialises in supplying a wide selection of containers and performing expert modifications so your container is ready to use for any purpose you choose.
The right size container for your kitchen depends on how much space you’ll need. The most common sizes are 10-foot, 20-foot, and 40-foot long containers that all measure 243.84 cm wide and 259.08 cm high. Consider the appliances you’ll be using in your kitchen, how many staff members will be working in the space, and what kind of storage capacity you will require.
The design of your outdoor kitchen will depend on your vision and purpose for it. If you’re a small business owner, you might want a walk-up window where patrons can place and pick up their orders. If you are a caterer who plans to do prep work at your primary kitchen and then heat and serve the meals from your mobile kitchen, storage and refrigeration might be your primary concern.
Regardless of your kitchen design, any shipping container kitchen will need basic modifications in order to be fully functional and to meet food safety standards as in any other kitchen.
In any kitchen, mobile or otherwise, proper ventilation is essential. While cooking can produce unwanted byproducts like grease, excess heat and other pollutants, there are ways to minimise their impact, such as using proper ventilation systems. Ventilation is important to maintain air quality and to help prevent fires. In addition to regular ventilation, your container kitchen can be equipped with range hoods and fans to vent excess heat and smoke to the outside.
Of course, your kitchen will also need electrical wiring, lighting, running water, and temperature control. Add your choice of flooring, wall coverings, and branding. Finally, you will have the option to install any combination of refrigeration, freezer, range, oven, deep fryer, rotisserie, pizza oven, barista bar, dishwashing station, and anything else you need.
Outdoor events and catering
Shipping container kitchens make a perfect cooking venue for outdoor events for residential homeowners, community organisations, caterers, and restaurants.
For an outdoor event like a music festival or community celebration, a portable kitchen allows vendors to feed a crowd on location.
At a wedding or other special occasion, a catering team with a portable kitchen has no need to go back and forth to the indoor kitchen, and the ability to cook and serve food without being affected by weather. Your catering jobs will no longer be limited by even location when you can bring a fully functional kitchen anywhere your clients wish.
Even homeowners can use a portable kitchen for backyard barbecues, intimate weddings, and holiday parties of large groups. Cooking for a crowd isn’t always feasible in the average home kitchen; a temporary container kitchen can expand your capacity for food prep and storage.
Additional cooking and prep space in the kitchen
Whether you have a big event coming up, or you’re looking to expand your capabilities, a shipping container kitchen can afford you ample extra workspace. Use a portable kitchen as an extra prep and cooking area in a busy kitchen, or for supplemental storage space so you can serve more people and order inventory less often.
Worksite kitchen
Construction companies and other groups who work in the field deserve to enjoy a hot, fresh meal when work takes them far from home. A shipping container kitchen can serve as a place for your team to prepare and eat daily meals without leaving the worksite.
Pop-up restaurant
If you’re a restaurant owner looking to introduce your menu to a new set of customers, you might consider a container kitchen pop-up restaurant. A pop-up kitchen or cafe is a mobile, versatile alternative to a food truck.
You can set up a new location temporarily, or open a smaller-scale version of your flagship restaurant offering takeout only or outdoor seating. It’s up to you! You can even design your container kitchen to allow for drive-thru service with windows at car height.
Shipping container kitchens can be designed to your specifications and to reflect your branding with eye-catching colours and your company logo.
Charity and community organisations
If you need to feed people where they are, a portable modular kitchen can be a perfect solution. Many people experiencing food insecurity also don’t have access to transportation to get to food banks or other charities that offer help. With a mobile kitchen, your organisation can reach more people in need. Your group can prepare and serve hot meals to underserved communities with greater ease.
Likewise, shipping container kitchens can be deployed after extreme weather or if a natural disaster leaves people temporarily without access to their own kitchens or food.
Home renovation or temporary kitchen setup
Depending on the size and scope of your remodel, a home kitchen renovation can take anywhere from six to ten weeks. If you’re having custom work done, it can be even longer. Rather than spending two or three months eating takeout and fast food, consider using a temporary kitchen in a portable shipping container.
Shipping container kitchens allow you to enjoy a fully functional kitchen while yours is undergoing renovations. And, when you no longer need it, the container kitchen can be packed up and moved away.
Conclusion
The many uses for a converted shipping container kitchen are practically endless. Homeowners, caterers and party planners, and restaurateurs alike can benefit from a compact, mobile kitchen that is designed to meet your unique needs. From large outdoor gatherings to exciting new business ventures, container kitchens open up a whole new world of possibilities.
They are durable enough to be used in almost any weather condition; they are versatile enough to be designed for all kinds of uses; and they are quicker and less expensive to build than a traditional kitchen space.
Is a shipping container kitchen the right solution for you? Consult with experts at Gateway to find out. Gateway has more than 20 years of experience supplying and modifying shipping containers and container structures for commercial and residential clients. The team can work with you to understand your needs and help you make a plan that meets your needs and respects your budget.
Gateway is one of only a few container suppliers in the region who work directly with the shipping lines. They are able to offer the widest selection of new and used containers in various sizes and grades – all at the best possible price. Gateway also guarantees delivery to South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. Contact Gateway today to find out more about our custom modifications and shipping container solutions.
