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Sandwich Prep Table Guide

Sandwich Prep tables are essential pieces of restaurant equipment for any foodservice business. Sandwich prep tables combine the necessity of a refrigerator with a convenient cutting board so you can quickly and easily assemble your ingredients to create signature dishes.

They come in a variety of sizes and styles with a whole host of different internal components. With so many options, finding the perfect unit can be a challenge. That's why we've broken down the most important information you need to know about prep tables when you're shopping.

Sandwich Prep Table vs. Pizza Prep Table

Sandwich and salad prep tables serve different purposes than pizza prep tables, but they're not as different as they sound. Sandwich prep tables come with thinner cutting boards designed for sub and sandwich bread, and most come set up for use with 1/3 size food pans in the top storage area.

Pizza prep tables feature a larger cutting board area with a raised rail and a top storage area designed for 1/6 size food pans. So if you can't find sandwich prep table that suits your needs, browse our selection of pizza prep tables to see if another one would be better.

Doors vs. Drawers

The second factor to consider is whether you will need a sandwich prep table with drawers or doors on the front. Regardless of your preference, both types of sandwich prep tables will have a top section with a lid that is designed to hold food pans. Sandwich prep tables with doors have a refrigeration cavity very similar to reach-in equipment measured in cubic feet, complete with shelves that can hold a wide variety of foods.

Sandwich prep units with drawers generally come with less refrigeration space, but each drawer is laid out to hold more food pans filled with ingredients, making them easier to access and swap out with empty pans from the top storage area. There are also sandwich prep tables made with combinations of doors and drawers for greater versatility.

Sandwich prep tables come in various door configurations, ranging from 1 to 5 doors; our most popular are the 2-door and 3-door. If you have specific space requirements or need help finding just the right prep table, contact us and our staff will be happy to help you find just what you’re looking for. Pizza prep tables also come in combination models with doors and drawers, a popular model with such design is the Universal PP60SC-2-1.

It's important to remember that doors and drawers may complicate the routines of more compact kitchens, depending on where you place the unit. Doors usually close automatically, but drawers typically do not.

It's more difficult to close drawers when a passing cook or server has their hands full, which can be a distraction in your kitchen. On the other hand, longer doors may not open all the way in more compact areas, which would make drawers a better option.

Refrigeration

Here are three methods used for refrigerating the top food pan section of prep tables: air cooled, cold wall, and liquid jacket. Air cooled units are an excellent solution for restaurateurs who are just starting out. Air cooling is standard on sandwich prep tables, and it's coupled with low maintenance and labor costs that make them easy to use without requiring a lot of know-how. On the flip side, their power is more limited than alternative refrigeration methods.

Cold wall model sandwich prep tables run refrigerant lines through the table's structure to keep the interior cool. They often allow a greater variety of pan and shelf configurations so you can customize your storage options. They also have a greater output potential compared to air cooled units. However, cold wall systems can lead to uneven pan temperatures, which can upset the uniformity of your food once prepared.

Liquid jacket is the newest form of cooling and typically used in pizza prep units, utilizing low-profile internal designs to maximize storage space while consuming low amounts of energy. It's also the best option for keeping your ingredients a uniform temperature. Unfortunately, this refrigeration type is the most expensive of the three, making it viable for only established businesses.

What to Know Before Purchasing a Sandwich Prep Table

What Size Do I Need? Measure the space you desire to place your sandwich prep table. The width on sandwich prep tables vary although, the height is generally 45". The depth of the sandwich prep table is important, be sure to consider the depth of the sandwich prep table with the doors open. You want to make sure your kitchen / work place is the best, most effective, and most efficient it can be.

What is the Warranty? Brand new sandwich prep tables will offer a one (1) year parts and labor, five (5) year's on the compressor warranty. Do not accept anything less. Reason I am saying that is the minimum you should accept is because there are certain re-sellers that offer 1-6 month warranty on commercial refrigeration including sandwich prep tables. Generally these units will be cheaper, but that old saying you get what you pay for here. I have seen thousands of sandwich prep tables throughout the years from Lowe's to highest quality. From my experience the warranty is comforting and useful. Generally mechanics that work with commercial refrigeration charge between $50-$75 per hour which can get costly quick.

Where was this Unit Manufactured? Commercial Refrigeration made in the U.S.A usually gives the best warranty. I prefer made in U.S.A manufacturers because they are easier for me to reach if need be. Having said that these days a lot is manufactured oversees. And reputable brands like True, Beverage-Air, Leader and more have manufacturing plants outside of the United States. Their products are good quality and do have good warranties. From experience of personal preference I like the quality of United States made products more. Speaking of some great products that are made outside the U.S.A, the iPhone comes to mind first. That’s a perfect example of how great products can be manufactured outside the United States.

Do I Need Swivel Casters? We added swivel casters to our sandwich prep table. The swivel casters make it easy for me to move the sandwich prep table for cleaning. I paid $109.99 for my set. They were pre-installed, so I received my prep table with the casters installed. I think it’s really an easy upgrade for me to make. Keeping a clean kitchen is imperative to success. This makes it that much easier to clean up for an affordable price.

Does This Prep Table Come with Interior Lighting? We have interior lighting in our sandwich prep table. The interior lights work good for us, especially for the smaller, harder to find items. We did not have to pay extra for interior lighting. Inside lighting can be helpful to see the storage better. Its most certainly can be helpful.

How Many Pans do I Need? We use the pans to store lettuce, tomatoes, turkey, cheeses, and other cold cuts, and vegetables. We have a total of 24 pans. Know approximately how many you'll need to use. Generally the larger the prep table the more storage it will have for pans.

Do I Need a Sneeze Guard? In our business, our guests chose what to include in their sandwich. They form a line in front of the prep table, and chose (by pointing their finger) what they would like to include. The sneeze-guard is durable and keeps my business safe and clean. I paid an additional $499.99 for a 4ft sneeze-guard. If you have a similar infrastructure, I highly recommend to add the sneeze guard option your sandwich prep table. The price of the sneeze guard will vary depending the quality, durability, and size. Sandwich prep tables with sneeze guard. The price is often measured by foot.

Who to Buy From? When purchasing online, make sure the company you are purchasing from has a BBB (Better Business Bureau) rating. The company I purchased from had an A rating. By now you've probably purchased from several online retailers and local retailers. My advice is to use 1 supplier for everything. If the company is honest stick with them.

Do I Need an Oversized Compressor? In my kitchen at times it gets extremely hot. My local mechanic recommended I purchase a sandwich prep table with an over-sized compressor to withhold the high temperatures. The sales agent was friendly and sold me an over-sized compressor model FREE of charge. If your kitchen may be very hot in times be sure to include that detail to your sales agent.