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A salad and sandwich station is a refrigerated prep table specifically designed for the task. These units typically have a flat work surface on top for preparing ingredients and a refrigerated compartment below for storing ingredients at the correct temperature making them easy to access.
A refrigerated food prep table can save a great deal of time when you prepare made-to-order menu items like sandwiches and salads.
Standard features of a salad and sandwich prep station include:
- Cut-out pan : Polycarbonate pans, called accessible refrigerated wells, fit into a recessed cold storage compartment, allowing quick access to cold ingredients from the work surface. They come in various sizes and are removable for easy prep and cleaning.
- Refrigerated compartments: These are typically adjacent to the work surface and provide storage for perishable ingredients, but they also come in drawer or cabinet configurations.
- Cutting board: Many salad and sandwich prep stations have a removable cutting board that fits the work surface, making it easy to chop ingredients and prepare sandwiches in one place.
Salad and sandwich prep stations can be valuable to commercial kitchens specializing in salads, sandwiches, or other made-to-order cold dishes. These units streamline the prep process, improve organization, and ensure that ingredients stay at food-safe temperatures.
Why Invest in Refrigerated Prep Tables
Refrigerated prep stations are a vital part of many kitchens.
Benefits include:
- Speed – Having the ingredients on hand that your line cooks, sous chefs and kitchen consultants need to fill orders keeps things moving during busy meal rushes.
- Efficiency – Refrigerated tables reduce prep time and ensure food safety by keeping ingredients cold.
- Organization – Reduce clutter with customizable ingredient pans and configurations that make sense for your menu.
Also read: Everything You Need to Know About Ice Machines
What to Consider When Purchasing?
Selecting appropriate refrigerated prep stations for your commercial kitchen depends on several important factors:
- What types of ingredients will you be storing?
- How much space do you need?
- How many employees need to use the prep table at once?
- How much volume do you prepare?
- What type of food preparation happens in your kitchen?
- How many ingredients need to be easily accessible at any given time?
Additionally, the work area is a top consideration. You will want to think about:
- Cutting boards – How much space will your team need to prep?
- Ingredient pans – Determine the best pan capacity for your operation. For example, True Refrigeration pans start at 4” deep but come in 6” and 8” deep sizes as well.
- Tabletop – Some tables have ample pan storage and a simple cutting board extending a few inches beyond the table’s edge to provide adequate room for food preparation. Others offer an extended workspace that sacrifices storage for additional prep space. Carefully consider the available kitchen space and how it will affect your line workers before selecting your model.
Also read: Choosing Commercial Blenders and Drink Mixers for Patio Season
Why a True Refrigeration Prep Table?
True is known for:
- Versatility – True’s range of chilled prep tables allows you to configure your kitchen to your exact requirements.
- Quality – Designed and built using the highest quality materials and components.
- Unbeatable holding temperatures – True combines hydrocarbon refrigeration systems with the latest energy-efficient components and patented technologies.
- Energy-efficient – True’s Hydrocarbon products harness naturally occurring propane gas to produce energy-efficient and environmentally friendly commercial refrigeration equipment without sacrificing performance. Additionally, True Refrigeration prep tables use state-of-the-art components such as electrically commutated motors and LED lighting.
- Innovative design – Insulated lids and hoods keep temperatures colder, lock in freshness and minimize condensation. A false floor traps the cold in the pan area. Lids, hoods, and floors are all removable for easy cleaning. Front-breathing models allow units to function normally, even in confined spaces or between other pieces of equipment.
- Being the industry standard – True is well regarded within the food service industry for its exceptional value. Stainless steel exteriors and NSF-approved clear aluminum interiors provide enduring quality and dependable food safety.
Few brands in the culinary world are as recognizable as True. For over 75 years, True has provided quality refrigeration devices.
Unique to the table refrigeration models, True has a patented baffle air-flow system that blows the air directly on the pans, enabling them to cool uniformly at the correct temperature. This system sidesteps the condensation and ingredient drying issues common in models from other brands. These features mean less food spoilage, fresher products, and lower energy costs.
In addition, True Refrigeration features one of the best warranties in the food industry: five years for maintenance and labour, six years for parts, and seven years for compressors. Each unit is crafted from durable stainless steel and can be custom powder-coated to match the ambiance of your kitchen space making them part of your restaurant design adding to customer engagement.
Guidance You Can Trust
Russell Hendrix is a leading distributor of commercial foodservice equipment and supplies, including True Refrigeration units. We have decades of experience and expertise to guide you through selecting, purchasing, and installing the ideal refrigerated prep table solution for your kitchen. Contact your local RH Rep today to get started.