
Summary
Aldevra | Commercial Cooking with Cannabis
Use this kit to plan a code-aware, production-ready layout before you spend money on equipment or construction. It walks operators through:
- Defining their operation
- Choosing zones
- Picking a layout type (small, mid, large)
- Doing a basic self-check before talking to Aldevra
1. Operation Profile (Layout Intake Form)
This is the “front page” of the tool and doubles as a discovery form for Aldevra.
Business Name: ___________________________
Location / City: ___________________________
Primary Products (check all that apply):
☐ Gummies / jellies
☐ Hard candy / lozenges
☐ Chocolates
☐ Baked edibles (cookies, brownies, bars)
☐ Beverages
☐ Infused oils/butters
☐ Other: ________________________
Projected Daily Production Volume (finished product):
☐ Small: up to 25–75 lbs/day
☐ Medium: 75–300 lbs/day
☐ Large: 300–1,200+ lbs/day
Estimated Cannabis Kitchen Area: ______ sq ft
Existing Building Type:
☐ Restaurant / former foodservice
☐ Bakery / food plant
☐ Light industrial / warehouse
☐ Raw shell space
☐ Other: ________________________
How many distinct SKUs do you expect to produce at once?
☐ 1–3
☐ 4–10
☐ 10+
Do you need a separate chocolate room or climate-controlled room?
☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Not sure
2. Core Kitchen Workflow Zones
Use this table as a zone checklist. You can turn it into a PDF or simple matrix.
3. Layout Principles Reference
Highlight on the page or in a sidebar:
Your layout should:
- Flow receiving → processing → packaging → shipping
- Keep raw, in-process, and finished product clearly separated
- Avoid crossing “dirty” traffic (trash, returns, dish carts) through clean zones
- Maintain secure cannabis storage away from general traffic
- Provide dedicated handwashing near production and packaging
- Keep infused and non-infused ingredients clearly separated and labeled
4. Sample Layout Templates
You can present these as three “example layouts” with simple diagrams later. For now, here’s detailed written guidance.
Layout A: Small-Batch Gummy & Chocolate Lab (~300–600 sq ft)
Best for: Startups, R&D labs, small brands.
Suggested Zones (in order):
Entry + Receiving Wall
- Small pallet/cart area
- Shelving for dry ingredients and packaging
- 1 reach-in refrigerator + 1 reach-in freezer
Pre-Processing Table
- Stainless table with scales and ingredient bins
- Batch “staging” area for gummies/chocolate
Cooking & Mixing Corner
- 1 small kettle or stock pot with induction burner
- 1 small convection oven (optional)
- Planetary mixer (10–20 qt)
- Immersion blender
Depositing / Molding Zone
- 1–2 tables for sheet pans and silicone molds
- Optional small depositor
Cooling Area
- Countertop or undercounter blast chiller
- Speed rack or shelving for trays
Finishing & Packaging Table (near exit)
- Scale for portioning
- Heat sealer + label printer
- Storage for labels and packaging materials
Sanitation Corner
- 3-compartment sink
- Hand sink
- Drying rack for molds/instruments
Secure Storage
- Lockable cabinet for THC distillate/oils
Flow summary (for the page):
Door → Receiving/Storage → Pre-Processing → Cooking/Mixing → Depositing → Cooling → Packaging → Exit
Sanitation & secure storage sit off the main flow, away from finished goods.
Layout B: Mid-Size Multiproduct Kitchen (~800–1,800 sq ft)
Best for: Operators making gummies, chocolates, and baked goods.
Suggested Zone Allocation (rough % of area):
- 10–15% Receiving & Storage
- 10–15% Pre-Processing / Staging
- 25–35% Hot Kitchen (cooking & mixing)
- 10–15% Chocolate or Controlled Room
- 15–20% Cooling & Packaging
- 10–15% Sanitation & Utility
- 5–10% Secure Storage & QA
Zone Outline:
Front / Left: Receiving & Bulk Storage
- Pallet drop, dry storage shelving
- Walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer
Central Pre-Processing Hub
- Long staging tables
- Scales, ingredient bins
- Batch carts feeding each production line
Central Hot Kitchen Band
- Combi oven(s)
- Convection ovens
- Steam-jacketed kettle(s)
- Under hood, with clear aisle in front
Gummy Line Branch
- From kettles → mixer → depositor → speed racks → blast chiller
Baked Goods Branch
- From ovens → cooling racks → finishing tables
Chocolate Room (Small Enclosed Room)
- Temperature & humidity controlled
- Chocolate melters/temperers, small enrober
- Cooling racks
Shared Packaging Zone (Clean Side)
- Common area for final packaging for all product types
- Scales, sealers, label printers
Finished Goods Staging
- Shelving / pallet racking near shipping door
Sanitation Corridor (Dirty Side / Back Wall)
- Dishmachine
- 3-comp sink
- Mop sink
- Chemical storage
Secure Cannabis Storage & QA Corner
- Locked cage/room for THC raw materials
- Small QA desk, sample storage if needed
Flow summary:
Receiving → Pre-Processing → Hot Kitchen → (Gummy / Baked / Chocolate branches) → Shared Packaging → Finished Goods → Shipping
Sanitation, waste, and utilities run along a back “dirty” aisle that never crosses packaging.
Layout C: Large-Scale Production Floor (2,000–10,000+ sq ft)
Best for: High-volume manufacturers and MSOs.
Core Features (high-level outline):
Segregated production halls:
- Hall 1: Gummy production
- Hall 2: Chocolate production
- Hall 3: Baking / extruded products
Central shared services:
- Large pre-processing / batching room
- Central washroom/sanitation center
- Shared cold storage complex (multiple walk-ins + environmental rooms)
Material & people flow separated:
- “Clean” flow for product
- “Dirty” flow for trash, returns, dish carts
Dedicated support spaces:
- QA lab
- Secure vault storage for concentrates
- Maintenance & parts room
- Employee welfare (lockers, breakroom, PPE storage)
This layout type is perfect to position Aldevra as the design-build partner rather than “just” an equipment vendor.
5. Layout Self-Check: Design QA Before You Build
Turn this into a simple checklist in the kit:
Flow & Zones
☐ Does product move in one direction from receiving to shipping?
☐ Are raw ingredients separated from finished goods?
☐ Is there a dedicated packaging zone away from dishwashing?
Safety & Codes
☐ Is there space for required hoods and makeup air?
☐ Is there a logical location for floor drains and 3-comp sinks?
☐ Are handwashing sinks conveniently placed in production and packaging areas?
Security & Cannabis Requirements
☐ Is secure cannabis storage in a controlled-access area?
☐ Can security cameras view all production and storage zones?
☐ Is waste storage/destruction area out of public view and under surveillance?
Scalability
☐ Is there room to add another oven, kettle, or depositor?
☐ Is the electrical room accessible for future upgrades?
☐ Are walk-ins sized with growth in mind?
Don’t design your cannabis kitchen in a vacuum.
Aldevra’s team has designed and equipped commercial kitchens and regulated facilities across the country. We’ll help you translate your menu, volume, and budget into a layout that passes inspections and supports growth.
Request a cannabis kitchen layout review
https://www.aldevra.com/contact-us
Email sales@aldevra.com your sketch or floor plan for feedback





