The Parts You Should Already Have
Commercial kitchen equipment breaks at the worst possible times because it runs hardest during peak hours. Waiting for parts to arrive during service means lost revenue and frustrated staff. The smart move is to keep critical components on hand before problems occur.
Start with high-wear items specific to your equipment. Mixer beaters and bowls crack or wear out from constant use. Slicer blades dull after processing hundreds of pounds of meat and cheese. Dishwasher arms clog with food debris and need replacement when cleaning won’t restore proper spray patterns. These hobart parts should live in your storage area, not on a supplier’s shelf three states away.
Gaskets and seals fail more predictably than mechanical parts. A bowl gasket costs a few dollars but will shut down your mixer when it splits. Door seals on dishwashers and warming cabinets degrade from heat and cleaning chemicals, usually lasting two to three years before needing replacement. Order these during routine supply runs, not during emergencies.
Small electrical components cause disproportionate problems relative to their cost. Switches wear out from daily cycling. Indicator lights burn out. These parts cost under $50 typically, but finding the right one takes time if you’re starting from scratch during a breakdown.
Identifying Parts Without the Manual
Equipment documentation disappears over time. Manuals get lost, technical sheets end up in the trash during cleaning, and previous owners never pass along maintenance records. You’re left staring at a broken machine with no clear way to identify what you need.
Every piece of Hobart equipment has a data plate showing model and serial numbers. These plates mount on the machine frame, usually on the side or back, where they won’t get damaged during use. The model number tells you which parts fit. The serial number indicates when the machine was built and whether any production changes affect parts compatibility.
Take photos of these plates and store them digitally. When you need parts, send these photos to your supplier. They can cross-reference the information faster than you can describe what’s broken over the phone.
Component-level identification gets trickier. Gears, bearings, and motor parts often have no visible markings. This is where parts diagrams become essential. Hobart publishes exploded views showing every component and its position in the assembly. These diagrams assign reference numbers to each part, linking to part numbers you can actually order.
Genuine Versus Aftermarket Parts
Price differences between genuine and aftermarket hobart kitchen equipment parts tempt budget-conscious operators. A genuine planetary gear costs three times what an aftermarket version runs. The savings look attractive until the cheaper gear fails six months later and damages other transmission components.
Food contact surfaces demand genuine parts. Bowls, beaters, and anything touching ingredients need to meet NSF standards and use approved materials. Aftermarket suppliers sometimes cut corners on metallurgy or coatings that affect food safety. The money you save isn’t worth the liability risk.
Mechanical drive components—gears, shafts, bearings—need precision manufacturing. Tolerances measured in thousandths of an inch determine whether parts mesh smoothly or create excessive wear. Aftermarket manufacturers don’t always match these specifications, even when parts appear identical.
Electrical components present less risk with aftermarket options. Switches and basic wiring parts often work fine as substitutes. Even here, though, verify that replacement parts carry proper UL listings and voltage ratings matching your equipment.
Building Supplier Relationships That Actually Help
Finding a parts supplier willing to answer technical questions makes more difference than price comparisons on individual orders. You need someone who understands Hobart’s product lines, knows which parts supersede older versions, and can troubleshoot problems over the phone.
Test suppliers with small orders first. Order routine maintenance items and evaluate their process. Did parts arrive quickly? Were they packaged properly? Did the invoice match what you ordered? These details matter more during emergencies when you can’t afford mistakes.
Ask suppliers about their stock depth. Some companies dropship everything, meaning your order sits waiting while they wait for their supplier. Others maintain inventory ready to ship the same day. Direct questions about stock status tell you whether they can support your needs during actual breakdowns.
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