What are some items where looking for the "commercial" versions is the way to go?

Submitted by SignificantViolinist t3_11dv9da in BuyItForLife

One common theme in the BIFL world is, "the commercial grade of X is significantly better than the consumer grade!"

I think this tends to be true for things like appliances, but what other kinds of items fall into this category? I'm sure there are some interesting pleasant surprises most people don't think about. Also, are there any tricks for getting our hands on said commercial grade items? I imagine a lot of them don't sell in regular stores, since it wouldn't be in their best interest.

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redbucket75 t1_jab5h3q wrote

Couches, if you can find commercial couches that aren't ugly. If they're expected to hold up to the general public (and their kids, their spilled Starbucks, etc.) for years in a bank, they're gunna hold up forever in your home.

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waehrik t1_jab1v68 wrote

Receptacles (outlets) for high use areas

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danielcollier09 t1_jackaxh wrote

Any cleaner. Go buy the gallon+ at a hardware store and get an industrial sprayer. For me I use the Zep brand stuff at Lowes since it’s the closest place. The adjustable sprayers are much better and accurate than your on/off style sprayers.

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KillerSpud t1_jabbdtq wrote

Commercial grade lawn mowers may be worth it if you have a pretty big yard.

Also from what I've heard Speed Queen washers and driers are a multi generation investment.

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hagcel t1_jablksp wrote

Power tools. I haven't bought a power tool in a little over a decade now. Will eventually need a new reciprocating saw because mine got stolen, but my Dewalt cordless tools are all from 2007, except my regular drill which is from 2003. Third-party batteries for the win.

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calificen t1_jad61vv wrote

Cookware! The aluminum and stainless steel cookware used in restaurants and commercial kitchens are tough stuff! I've worked in kitchens for years and that stuff takes a beating and is still good. Same thing with Bakeware and cooking utensils. If you can find a restaurant supply store open to the public I highly reccomend you check it out! It's a lot of good stuff in there!

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slavegaius87 t1_jabq15e wrote

We absolutely love our Dexter Sani-Safe knives, and our Norton Tri-Stone sharpening stones. I got the stone when my dad passed away 16 years ago and he was a chef.

One of the things we appreciate about actual commercial grade equipment is that a lot of it is meant to be repaired, versus consumer grade which is pretty much meant to be thrown away and replaced if it breaks.

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ChicagoTRS1 t1_jad2tjc wrote

Consumer grade carpet cleaners/extraction units are absolute garbage. You are lucky if you can get a years use out of the $100 - $200 level consumer units. They used to be okay but the new models are like 100% plastic and the brushes tend to seize up and have poor suction even after very moderate use.

The Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner is the best unit you can get at a reasonable price that actually will last and works well (~$400). The Big Green is identical to the models that are for rent at hardware/grocery stores.

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MBO_EF t1_jac8y23 wrote

Paint (the type for home decorating, not for artwork!)

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cherlin t1_jacp5y1 wrote

I would actually go against this. Typically commercial use would be the builder grade paint which is actually worse than the more premium paints.

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Ok_Duck_9338 t1_jaccv0m wrote

A professional propane torch way better than bernzomatic.

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CamelHairy t1_jacb58r wrote

Salad Master cookware, Kitchenaide stand mixer

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complywood t1_jae0z74 wrote

When I was researching Kitchenaid stand mixers recently, I came to the same conclusion.. kind of. The commercial version looks like it has a significantly upgraded motor (horsepower is listed as 1.3, vs home version where horsepower isn't listed). Thing is, it also only comes in an 8 quart bowl size. That's.. kind of huge. Takes up a lot more space in the kitchen. Harder to move around and store. So there's definitely a trade-off here.

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CamelHairy t1_jae3ua4 wrote

Found mine at a yard sale for $5 back around 2010, still going strong. They basically had a great design just tweaked it over the years.

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bbhjjnbgdxc t1_jacq5k3 wrote

Tools,

Example Skil vs Skilsaw

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