A refrigerated salad and sandwich prep table is an excellent addition to any restaurant or fast-casual eatery that offers cold foods. Whether you run a "build your own" sandwich shop or offer a variety of salads, a refrigerated prep table will make it easy to prepare customer orders efficiently and without compromising food safety.
If you're considering a salad and sandwich prep table for your restaurant, it's essential to know what to look for and your options.
What to Look for When Choosing a Sandwich Salad Prep Table
When choosing a sandwich and salad prep table, there are several things to look for and consider before making your final decision.
Size
The size of the table is important. It must fit in your kitchen, and it must be able to accommodate your needs. Next, consider how you'll use the table and the flow of your kitchen.
Durability
If you invest in an authentic salad prep table, it's important to make sure that it will last. Therefore, the table's construction should be a major consideration. It should be built for commercial use. Stainless steel is an excellent option because it's stronger than aluminum and, in many cases, is corrosion resistant.
Maintenance
If you're buying a salad prep table refrigerator, you will need to consider maintenance. The table itself is easy to maintain. Routine cleaning is all that's needed. However, the refrigeration unit may need regular maintenance to increase its lifespan.
Make sure that you'll be able to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance.
You may also want to consider choosing a table where the drop-in section is enclosed. The enclosure will prevent food from spilling into any storage areas that may be beneath the table.
Versatility
Another important thing to consider is the versatility of the table. Does it include features and options that allow it to be used for other purposes?
For example, you can choose a table with single or double overshelves that provide more storage space above the prep area. In addition, reversible cutting boards allow you to maximize the lifespan of this important element of the table.
Refrigeration Methods
A salad sandwich prep table refrigerator can be cooled in a few different ways:
- Cold Wall: With this cooling method, there are refrigerated lines that are placed through the table. The lines keep the pans colder, but the way in which the pans are cooled may leave some colder than others. Even cooling can be an issue with this type of refrigeration.
- Air Cooled: Most prep tables will use this form of refrigeration, which blows cool air onto the pans. Air-cooled systems are easy to use and require minimal maintenance compared to other cooling methods.
- Glycol: Although it's a more expensive cooling method, glycol is energy efficient. Because it's in liquid form, the food is evenly cooled and remains at a consistent temperature.
Choose the refrigeration method that works best for your kitchen and fits your personal preference.
Drawers, Doors, or Both?
Do you want a prep table with drawers, doors or both? Both types have pan rails to hold food pans. The table may have a solid lid or a clear glass lid that covers the pan rails.
- Tables that have drawers usually have less refrigeration space. However, these drawers can hold food pans filled with ingredients, and this makes them easily accessible when swapping out pans.
- Tables that have doors have refrigerated cavities that can store a variety of food items.
- Tables that have doors and drawers give you the best of both worlds.
Determine which of these options will work best for your restaurant. Consider what types of foods you serve and how you serve them.
Salad Prep Table Reviews
With all of these factors in mind, you can start comparing different salad and sandwich prep table units. We offer a wide variety of salad and sandwich prep tables to meet your needs.
Beverage Air SPE60-16
The SPE60-16 is a 60" refrigerated prep table is designed for salad and sandwich prep. The table gives you easy access to all of your ingredients, which are kept cool by the air-cooled refrigeration system.
Made with galvanized stainless steel, this table can withstand heavy commercial use and offers corrosion resistance.
Beverage Air SPE27A
The SPE27A is a compact unit from Beverage-Air that features a stainless steel exterior and an aluminum interior. The unit is 27" wide and 41" tall, making it ideal for smaller kitchens.
The built-in refrigeration system keeps foods at a safe holding temperature.
Universal Coolers SC-72-BM
The SC-72-BM is a self-contained refrigerated sandwich prep table with a bottom-mounted 1/3 HP compressor. The unit uses an eco-friendly refrigerant and offers plenty of space for storing ingredients.
The unit has one half-sized and two full-sized refrigerated doors. The top of the table has enough room for five full-size pans. The interior walls are made of stainless steel, and the back exterior features galvanized stainless steel to prevent corrosion. Integrated door lights make it easy to see what's inside the unit.
Atosa MSF8304GR
For restaurants that do higher volume or have menus dedicated to sandwiches and salads, the MSF830GR offers ample space for prep.
The unit spans 72" wide and stands 44" tall with stainless steel housing and doors with recessed handles for easy access. The unit comes with pre-installed shelves and a side-mounted compressor unit. There are three doors on this unit, and it features a solid lid to cover the rail pans.
The refrigeration unit can hold foods at temperatures ranging from 33В°F to 40В°F, making it ideal for any sandwich or salad shop.
Two food pans and a cutting board ensure that you have all the space you need for prepping and serving sandwiches and salads.
These are just a few of the many refrigerated salad and sandwich prep tables that we offer. No matter whether you're looking for a compact unit or a large table that can accommodate high volumes of food prep, we have a model that will meet your needs and budget.