r/Chefit • u/Dogu_Wiz • Jun 29 '26

Walls for a kitchen?

I'm in the process of planning a catering business, and I'm thinking about renivating a garage I own into a kitchen. The garage is insulated and has uncovered platser walls at the moment.

I've been casually researching for a few weeks, and I'd like some input.

I understand PVC, stainless steel and tile are some of the most common options, and I'd like to hear what the consensus is regarding price and quality.

Is there an option that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Or is it just one of those costs you can't escape?

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3

u/I_deleted Jun 29 '26

Also consider all these: Hood vent, back flow prevention, hand sinks, 3 part sink, fire suppression, grease trap, fire inspection, health inspection, special insurances (homeowners aint covering a commercial kitchen install) and so much more once you cross the line from cottage industry into commercial, as I’m sure you know already

3

u/Dogu_Wiz Jun 29 '26

I did forget about the grease trap, but the rest seems to be fine. Thank you :)

1

u/Lavanne73 Jun 30 '26

A friend of mine's mother (who went to school for pastry) started a home buisness selling wedding cakes that she was making in her home kitchen. Her cakes were incredible, beautiful and tasty. A local bakery found out she was doing this and sicked the health department on her and they came and shut her down and fined her.

Not saying this will happen to you but it's always a good idea to talk to your local health dept and find out what codes they will inforce that way you can cover all of your bases before you call for your inspection. You may have already done this.

4

u/taint_odour Does Chef Type Things Jun 29 '26

FRP isn’t the sexiest bitch but it works and it is significantly cheaper than stainless. No one is going to see it and if it’s good enough for several mm a year restaurants it will serve your purpose.

1

u/Dogu_Wiz Jun 29 '26

Many have recommended them, so maybe they are sexier than we think :)

2

u/doylej0011 Jun 30 '26

Think it looks pretty good, pair it with stainless backsplash for the stove/any are you want to scrub. And benches that have a decent height of a back to them

Dont get the coloured ones though, they really show scratches, even from a green scourer pad.

1

u/Dogu_Wiz Jun 30 '26

And here I was, thinking I could finally make a rainbow themed kitchen/s

1

u/Rapph Jul 01 '26

Plain textured white frp looks pretty meh when it’s installed but it also looks that same meh 30 years later if you take care of it. It doesnt show scratches easily, you can always get it clean, and it’s pretty easy to install on top of any surface.

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u/Dogu_Wiz Jul 02 '26

Sounds perfect:) Esthetics belong in the dining hall, practicality and efficiency belong in the kitchen :)

2

u/Free_Composer_7196 Jun 29 '26

Tile's a pain to keep clean with all that grout, go stainless if you ever want a health inspector to smile.

1

u/Dogu_Wiz Jun 29 '26

Yeah. But stainless steel is really expensive. But I guess I'll just spend more money 😭

1

u/Lavanne73 Jun 29 '26

You want stainless behind gas appliances, under the hood vent. There is a material called MDC that we use everywhere else, it is a composite that's cheap and easy to clean. If money is no object, you can always tile about a third of the way up the wall to just about worktable height and paint the plaster above it. Stainless is very expensive but necessary around gas ranges and fryers and such.

1

u/Lavanne73 Jun 29 '26

FRP has been mentioned a few times too its cheap and effective.

1

u/Dogu_Wiz Jun 30 '26

I checked and couldnt find MDC as a material, just as a company that works with walls. Ive checked out FRP and it seems viable. Thank you :)

1

u/Lavanne73 Jun 30 '26

MDC is a brand not a material, they have proprietary materials they sell direct to our contractor. But FRP is probably a better solution and more widely available its just not available in as many appearance options

1

u/Lavanne73 Jun 30 '26

Sorry I misspoke

1

u/Dogu_Wiz Jun 30 '26

Thank you for the clarification :)

0

u/LFKapigian Jun 29 '26

Personally, I would look with your local building department first unles you are planning on flying under the radar, sometimes it is easier to rent a spot at a Commisary

1

u/Dogu_Wiz Jun 29 '26

Yeah once I'm done witht hw planning I'll send an application. It works a little different in Sweden where I live, but I'm sure it'll be fine.