Catering equipment prices in South Africa (2026 guide)
"What does it cost?" is the first question every catering business asks — and the honest answer is that listed prices move constantly. So instead of vague ranges, this guide shows real prices published on South African supplier websites, checked on 10 October 2026, with the source linked. Use them as benchmarks when you request quotes.
Preparation equipment
| Item | Supplier | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Meat mincer No.22 | CaterEra | R 8,995 |
| Vegetable cutter VC20MF | CaterEra | R 9,995 |
| Vegetable cutter VC30MV | CaterEra | R 16,995 |
| Planetary mixer 20L | CaterEra | R 13,495 |
| Planetary mixer 10L | CaterEra | R 15,995 |
| Spiral dough mixer 20L | CaterEra | R 17,995 |
| Aloma sausage filler 10L (manual) | Caterwize | R 4,999 |
| Meat slicer 250mm | Caterwize | R 6,799 |
Cooking & service equipment
Refrigeration, sinks & smalls
| Item | Supplier | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Display cooler 900mm (counter top) | Caterwize | R 12,999 |
| Double bowl sink 1600×650×900mm | Caterwize | R 10,999 |
| Cutting board 500×380mm | Caterwize | R 200 |
| Fryer basket (240×245×135mm) | Caterwize | R 250 |
| Measuring spoon set, 4 piece | Caterwize | R 60 |
Note the mix on purpose: prices come from more than one supplier because honest benchmarking beats a single catalogue. Caterings.co.za is published by the CaterEra team — see the disclosure.
What moves the price
- Build grade: commercial units use better compressors, motors and stainless than "semi-commercial" lookalikes — ask what the rated duty cycle is.
- Capacity: going one size up on mixers or cutters is usually far cheaper than buying twice when you outgrow the small one.
- Power: three-phase equipment costs more to install but runs cheaper and longer at volume.
- Warranty & spares: a 12-month carry-in warranty and locally stocked spares are worth paying for.
- Delivery and installation: get these in writing — "free delivery" thresholds (CaterEra's is R1,500) can still leave rigging or stairs costs.
- Timing: suppliers run specials at different times; if you can wait a month, ask whether a deal is coming.
Budgeting by business type
Home & event catering
Start with prep, one cooking unit, cold storage and transport gear. Hire for big one-offs. Much of the checklist tier-1 kit lands between roughly R15,000 and R40,000 new depending on fridge and mixer choices.
Restaurant / QSR kitchen
Cooking line, extraction, refrigeration and prep dominate the budget, and installation costs are real. Plan in phases and get a fit-out quote early — kitchen equipment commonly reaches six figures once cold rooms and extraction are included.
Bakery / production
Dough mixers, ovens, provers and display fridges are the big line items. From the table above: a 20L spiral dough mixer alone was listed at R17,995; oven choice swings the total more than anything else.
These bands are planning guidance built from the listed prices above, not quotes — send us your list for real numbers.
New vs used vs finance
Used is excellent for stainless tables, shelving and storage — and risky for refrigeration and anything you cannot afford to have fail mid-service. Finance exists in several forms (Alpaco advertises equipment funding; card payments via PayFast are standard; some suppliers offer payment arrangements) — compare the financed total against the cash price. New from a responsive supplier is the boring, reliable middle: you pay for warranty and spares, and in a working kitchen that is usually money well spent.
Get prices for your exact list
The tables above are benchmarks — your quote will be specific. Send us the list and the CaterEra team prices it properly, usually the same working day.
Frequently asked questions
How much does commercial catering equipment cost in South Africa?
Small kit runs from a few hundred rand (boards, utensils, containers) to around R5,000–R7,000 for entry machines like popcorn units or 250mm slicers; mid-range workhorses such as mincers, griddles and cutters land roughly R6,000–R17,000; and larger items like display coolers, sinks and dough mixers run into the low tens of thousands. The tables on this page show real listed prices checked on 10 October 2026.
Why do prices differ so much between suppliers?
Brand, build grade, capacity and warranty all move the number, and suppliers run specials on different categories at different times. A cheaper unit can cost more over three years if spares are hard to get or the compressor is undersized — compare specifications and warranty terms, not just rands.
Should I buy second-hand catering equipment?
For stainless tables, shelving and storage, used is often excellent value. For refrigeration and daily-critical cooking equipment, weigh the missing warranty and possible repair costs — and have used electrical equipment checked by a qualified electrician before installation.
Can I buy catering equipment on finance?
Yes, in several forms: equipment funding programmes (Alpaco advertises these), card payments through gateways like PayFast, and payment arrangements on larger orders with some suppliers. Compare the total cost of finance against paying upfront before deciding.