Before you buy commercial kitchen equipment online, confirm three things: the item fits your space and the route in, your site has the power, gas, water and drainage it needs, and you understand the delivery, warranty and returns terms.
On our store, standard delivery is by tailgate truck to the front of your premises, so someone needs to be there to receive it and you need a plan for moving it inside. Category pages show prices ex GST, and installation isn't included: gas appliances must be connected by a licensed gasfitter, and three-phase or hard-wired equipment by a licensed electrician.
The checklist below covers each point in the order you'll need it, from measuring up to signing for the delivery.
Your pre-order checklist
| Check | What to confirm | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Size and access | The unit fits its spot and every doorway, stair, lift and corner on the way in | Dimensions on the product page, plus your tape measure |
| Clearances | Ventilation space around the unit | Product description or spec sheet |
| Power | 10 A or 15 A plug, dedicated circuit, hard-wiring or three-phase | Spec sheet, then your licensed electrician |
| Gas | Natural gas or LPG, and the MJ/h rating | Spec sheet, then your licensed gasfitter |
| Water and drainage | Water connection, floor drain or drain pump | Spec sheet, then your licensed plumber |
| Exhaust and council | Whether your cooking line needs a hood, plus council registration and food safety rules | Your council and a ventilation specialist |
| Stock and lead time | In stock, made to order or price on application | Product page, or ask us |
| Price and GST | Ex GST and inc GST totals, plus freight | Product page and checkout |
| Delivery | Tailgate to the front, someone present, help to move it inside | Shipping page |
| Warranty and returns | The manufacturer's terms and change-of-mind limits | Product page and refund policy |
1. Measure the space and the route in
Dimensions are on the product pages. Measure the spot where the unit will sit, then every doorway, hallway, stair, lift and tight corner between the street and that spot. Under our delivery terms, it's your job to check that items fit through doorways, and if a delivery can't be completed, the aborted delivery costs fall on you.
Look for anything that adds width or height. The Elementry HT-20S heated food warmer cart, for example, is 515 mm wide, but 672 mm wide with its handles fitted. Upright fridges are tall too: the NovaChill SM600GF glass door fridge stands 2115 mm high.
Then allow for ventilation. FED Thermaster bench fridges such as the TS1200TN need 100 mm wall clearance for ventilation, so the space has to be deeper than the fridge itself.
Finally, think about weight and assembly. The Grote 613 multi-slicer weighs 385 kg, and the Mecnosud PSM6120 pastry sheeter arrives in a crate, with its arms to be lifted and fitted on site. Standard delivery doesn't include unpacking, positioning or assembly, so arrange the people and equipment to do it.
Our tip: Write down the narrowest width, the lowest ceiling or door height and the tightest turn on the route from the street to the final spot. Check every item against those three numbers before you add it to your cart.
2. Check your power, gas, water and exhaust
Power
Australian mains power is 230 V single-phase. A standard 10 A power point supplies roughly 2.3 kW and a 15 A outlet about 3.45 kW. A 15 A plug has a wider earth pin, so it only fits a 15 A outlet. The same oven can come in both versions: the ConvectMax YXD-6A is 2.4 kW on a 10 A plug, while the YXD-6A/15 is 3.5 kW on a 15 A plug. Compare options in our commercial convection ovens range.
Larger equipment can need a dedicated 20 A or 32 A circuit, hard-wiring or three-phase power. The Brenner EPF4-25L pressure fryer, for instance, is rated at 13.35 kW on 415 V three-phase. Have a licensed electrician check that your switchboard and supply can carry the load and fit any new circuits. Don't run high-load appliances from double adaptors or extension leads.
Gas
Gas appliances are set up for either natural gas (from the mains) or LPG (from cylinders), so choose the right type when you order. Many commercial appliances can be converted with the manufacturer's parts, but only by a licensed gasfitter. Gas appliances sold in Australia must be certified for use here, and a licensed gasfitter must install them to AS/NZS 5601.1. Add up the MJ/h rating of every gas appliance so your gasfitter can check the supply, meter and pipework.
Water and drainage
Combi ovens, dishwashers, glasswashers, ice machines and coffee machines may need a water supply, a drain or both. Check how each one drains. The Icematic C46DP-A undercounter ice machine has an integrated drain pump, so it can go where there's no floor drain nearby; browse more commercial ice machines. The Adler DWA2050 undercounter dishwasher plugs into a 15 A outlet and must be connected to water by a licensed plumber.
Exhaust and council
Most commercial cooking set-ups need a mechanical exhaust hood. Requirements come from building rules and AS 1668.2, so check with your council and a ventilation specialist before you order cooking equipment, not after. Our commercial exhaust hoods page shows the types available, but your council has the final say on what your kitchen needs.
Council registration and food safety
If you're opening a new food business or changing an existing one, talk to your local council early about registration and what they need to see on your plans. Food premises must have hand washing facilities (Standard 3.2.3), so mark hand basins on your layout. Potentially hazardous food must be kept at 5°C or below, or 60°C or above. If you handle unpackaged potentially hazardous food, Standard 3.2.2A is likely to apply, which means a food safety supervisor and food handler training. Details are on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website, and your council can confirm what applies to you.
3. Confirm stock, lead times and quotes
When you order, payment is pre-authorised while stock is confirmed with suppliers. In-stock items usually dispatch within 48 hours. Typical transit times are:
- Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide: 2–5 business days
- Perth and Tasmania: 4–8 business days
- Rest of Australia: 4–12 business days
Some items are made to order and priced per job, and show price on application. The Grote 613 multi-slicer is one: its listing asks you to contact us for a quote and lead time. For these items, use the quote form and confirm the exact model and options before you commit, because change-of-mind returns don't apply to made-to-order or price-on-application items.
Fitting out a whole kitchen? Quotes for full fit-outs are free: send an equipment list or plans through our fit-out quote request, and we reply by email with one package price including freight.
4. Understand pricing, GST and payment
Prices are in AUD. Category pages show prices ex GST, and product pages show both ex and inc GST. GST (10%) is added at checkout, so an item listed at $2,000 ex GST costs $2,200 inc GST. Freight is calculated at checkout too. Tax invoices are available on request with your order number.
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Shop Pay. Many products also offer SilverChef Rent-Try-Buy finance, which is shown on the product page.
Found a better price?
Under our Price-Beat Guarantee, send us a link to a competitor's product, or their quote. We'll give you a discount code, or invoice you at the better price.
5. Know the delivery terms
- Deliveries are made by a third-party tailgate truck to the front of the shop or premises, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.
- Someone must be there to receive the delivery.
- Standard delivery doesn't include bringing items inside, stairs or lifts, unpacking, positioning or assembly.
- Delivery inside the front door, or extra care, can be arranged for an extra fee if you request it when ordering. We may ask for photos of the delivery location.
- Bulky, remote or offshore deliveries may cost more and take longer.
- We can't deliver to PO boxes.
The full terms are on our shipping and delivery page.
6. Inspect on arrival
Check every item when it arrives and note any damage when you sign for the delivery. Photos of the packaging and the item help if there's a problem. If an item is faulty, damaged or incorrect, contact us with photos. There's no restocking fee in those cases.
7. Warranty, installation and returns
Warranty
The manufacturer's warranty is shown on each product page, and the terms vary between brands. The FED Thermaster TCBD78B countertop drink fridge, for example, carries 2 years parts and labour plus 2 years parts only when it's registered with FED within 14 days of invoice. The Anvil COA1001 convection oven has a 12 month, back-to-base warranty. Read the terms for registration steps and whether cover is on site or back to base.
If you have a warranty problem, contact us and we arrange the claim with the manufacturer or their service agent. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law always apply.
Installation
Installation isn't included. Gas appliances must be connected by a licensed gasfitter, and three-phase or hard-wired equipment by a licensed electrician. Water and drain connections are a job for a licensed plumber. Book your trades early so the equipment can be connected soon after it arrives.
Change-of-mind returns
Change-of-mind returns aren't required, but they're considered if you contact us within 5 days of delivery and the item is unused, not installed and in its original packaging. A restocking fee of up to 25% plus return freight may apply. There are no change-of-mind returns for used, installed, made-to-order, special-order or price-on-application items. See our refund policy for details.
Frequently asked questions
Are the prices on your website ex GST?
Category pages show prices ex GST. Product pages show both ex and inc GST, and GST (10%) is added at checkout.
Will the driver bring the equipment inside?
Not with standard delivery, which is tailgate to the front of the premises. Delivery inside the front door, or extra care, can be arranged for an extra fee if you request it when ordering.
How long does delivery take?
In-stock items usually dispatch within 48 hours. Transit is typically 2–5 business days to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, 4–8 to Perth and Tasmania, and 4–12 to the rest of Australia.
Can I return equipment if I change my mind?
Change-of-mind returns aren't required, but they're considered if you contact us within 5 days of delivery and the item is unused, not installed and in its original packaging. A restocking fee of up to 25% plus return freight may apply.
Do you install the equipment?
No. We supply the equipment and buying advice. Connections are made by a licensed gasfitter, electrician or plumber, as needed.
Can I spread the cost?
Many products offer SilverChef Rent-Try-Buy finance. Look for it on the product page.
Once you've measured up and checked your services, you're ready to shop the category you need. Our store FAQs answer more questions about ordering, and if you're unsure whether something will suit your site, ask us a product question before you order.
