Expert: Dan Griffin - 12/28/2007

Question
i am thinking of building a commercial kitchen at home for my baking bussines. can you give me an advise about planning and layout as well as space required.  thank you

Answer
Many cities and neighborhoods have covenants and restrictions on home based businesses.  YOu should perhaps check this aspect out before proceeding with an extensive remodel.  A commercial kitchen will probably not be best for resale values of your home.

You've just not given enough information to even start an answer.  If you are baking cup cakes or cookies, I imagine several residential stoves would do an excellent job with a large counter top or side table to cool,decorate, and box.  If you are doing wedding cakes or enough bread to sell at a boutique or mall outlet, your needs will be larger.

I cannot envision an existing residential kitchen large enough to make an efficient baking facility.  We just built one that is pastry baking only.  I don't remember the exact dimensions, but close to 40 by 100.  It has 2 rotary stacked ovens, extensive mixing machines, flour hoppers, stainless and wood work tables down the center, and large stainless sinks and counters down the other wall.  The walk-in cooler, can wash rack, HVAC system, bulk storage, and washer and dryer are outside this baking space.  Efficient electric ovens, etc use 3 phase power that you do not have and probably cannot get.  Gas fired equipment can run into millions of BTU's that will require larger gas service.  Health department rules will be enforced and your existing ho water is probably not hot enough and there are extensive sanitation requirements.  It really does depend quite a bit on what you are setting out to accomplish.

On the other hand, one of the most successful venues at the local state fair is the cinnammon roll booth.  They operate out of trailer that is probably 8 wide by 40.  They do not hold supplies as they are resupplied all day long, and some of their space is tied up with retail.  It is a very tight, highly efficient, single product specialty shop.

I don't want to burst your bubble, but I think you have a lot more research to do before remodeling.