Preparation Tables

What Are Preparation Tables?

The need for preparation tables depends on the type of restaurant and its expected clientele. Head chefs at luxury restaurants require their personal space to prepare intricate dishes; whereas, fast food restaurants only use it to make sandwiches, pizzas, and other snacks. Therefore, the difference is in usage. 

Additionally, most benchtops are easy to clean because they are made using stainless steel. This makes them more hygienic, despite the high turnover of orders. Also, they are sturdy, and unlike the wooden variants, they won’t absorb bacteria. A commercial kitchen bench can also be refrigerated to maintain the integrity of cold cuts and other perishables. 

Different Types Of Preparation Tables

According to the number of menu items in a restaurant and their prep times, there are different types of commercial prep tables to choose from. However, two of the most common ones include: 

Sandwich Or Salad Prep Counters

The most common type of prep station seen in almost every eatery is the salad prep counter. This stainless steel workbench is ordinarily flat and has a preparation surface attached to the wells indented into its surface. They have an enhanced refrigeration system, and at times come combined with commercial food warmers. 

Furthermore, the airflow in the refrigeration unit ensures that the food present in open containers is below 41°F but still far from the freezing point, increasing its shelf life and helping it look appetizing. Their cabinets are also usually made of stainless steel, with a 10-inch cutting board attached. This board is typically made of high-density white polyethylene plastic, making it easy to clean and sanitize. 

Pizza Prep Counter Top

The pizza prep stations bear a resemblance to salad prep counters; however, they also vary in multiple ways. These all-purpose pizza prep countertops are most often known as raised rail prep tables. Like salad prep counters, the pizza prep stations also have a refrigeration system that maintains the freshness of condiments. 

Usually, the refrigerated area is around 4 to 8 inches above the countertop, making preparing and dropping ingredients on the pizza relatively easy. Moreover, a standard pizza prep countertop has a cutting board and a 19-inch wide cabinet. This makes it twice as large as salad prep counters, helping make larger pizzas. 

Just like salad preparation tables, the cutting board is made of high-density white polyethene plastic and is adjustable and removable for easy cleaning. It also has an evaporator that discharges forced air and recirculates it over and under the pans. These features make it an all-rounder of commercial kitchen equipment.

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Preparation Table

A commercial kitchen deals with several different food items; therefore, it is essential to consider the day-to-day cooking requirements before getting a commercial prep table. Here are certain factors that must be kept in mind:

Type Of Food Being Stored

As mentioned, the two main types are salad and pizza prep stations; however, some high-end restaurants also require space for the head chef to prepare gourmet dishes. Those prep tables usually go right next to commercial cooktops for efficient cooking. Therefore, restaurant owners must consider the inventory and menu before deciding on commercial prep tables. 

Food Preparation

Each type of prep table comes with customized storage configurations according to the food being prepared on them. The choice of prep stations depends on whether that space is required to store raw meat or condiments and seasonings. 

Volume Of Food

Another factor determining the choice of preparation table is the number of customers that are fed daily. Is the restaurant open 24/7, or does it only have dinner and lunch service? It is critical to understand the number of ingredients required for easy access and storage at a given time. That can only be calculated when there is a rough estimation of the number of customers expected.

Moreover, the number of chefs who will use the prep table also has to be accounted for. Therefore, it is better to choose extended commercial prep tables so that there is enough room to fit commercial dishwashers underneath them. This provides chefs with easy access to a cleaning machine, leaving no clutter for the following user.

How to Sanitize Metal and Plastic Laminate Food Prep Tables

Whether it is aluminium, plastic, copper, stainless steel, or a laminate-topped table; all of them can be cleaned and sanitized following simple steps:

Wipe Down And Remove Debris

First, visible food pieces and crumbs need to be removed using a microfiber cloth. Next, before sanitizing, mix a solution of hot water and dishwashing liquid to clean the surface thoroughly. Frequently rinse the cleaning cloth out, ensuring that all the surface greasy and sticky smears are removed. Finish by wiping down the surface with a clean cloth dipped in fresh water. 

Surface Disinfection

It is better to use a water and chlorine bleach solution on stainless steel and plastic laminate only. If used on other metals, it can cause discolouration. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide would be the best cleaning solution for stubborn stains. Ensure that an adequate amount of spray or wipes are used so that the preparation table surface remains wet for around 4-10 minutes. 

A commercial kitchen bench, commercial char grills, and massive display cabinets make up the heart and soul of every industrial kitchen. ArchiPro takes care of all these needs with their vast collection of preparation tables, commercial deep fryers, and everything in between! 

If you need assistance to find the right preparation tables for your home or office, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals, ready to assist with all requirements and questions. Simply click "Contact supplier" on the product's page, or visit the supplier's website directly from the product's page.