Prep Tables Pizza Salad Sandwich Maintenance & Repair Guide

It seems like a myth that is much easier said than done. Or is it?

Observe the refrigeration systems in major chain food service establishments, and it becomes evident that their refrigerators meet the highest standards. This achievement is not coincidental or solely due to a larger budget. Instead, it's the outcome of well-thought-out purchasing choices, a comprehensive preventive maintenance regimen, and effective training for managers and staff. It's important to note that even prominent chain restaurants adhere to a strict repair budget, showcasing the significance of their robust preventive maintenance strategies and realistic equipment life expectations.

Prep table tips to avoid repairs 

• Cover your food: Store all acidic items, such as cut onions, pickles, and tomatoes, in sealable containers to prevent corrosion and ultimately refrigerant leak in the evaporator coil. Wipe up all acidic spills immediately. Keep them uncovered and you will regret it.
• Keep Condensing unit properly ventilated: Your prep table needs breathing.
• Gaskets cleaning: Prevents mold & mildew growth as well as retains gasket elasticity. Water and mild soap are best (Handsoap would do it, avoid full-strength & citrus-based cleaning products, this causes them to become brittle and crack). Never use sharp tools or knives to scrape or clean the gasket. Gaskets can be easily replaced and do not require the use of tools or an authorized service person. When you replace get OEMs
• Self-closing spring-loaded hinged doors: This prevents warm air infiltration and keeps your fridge a lower temperature and prevents ice formation on the evaporator, a frozen coil will prevent box from cooling.  
• Cover rails or well: using lids or hood when not busy or not in use CLOSE the hood. 
• Properly seat the rails/ pans: This keeps cold air circulation as designed within the well region and reduces unnecessary heat exchange with the ambient.
• Condenser Coil Cleaning: Periodically - we discussed this many times
• No power strips or extension cords: Period.
• Properly sized power outlet: If your countertop trips a breaker, check if the circuit breaker is 15A and if you have a microwave on the same circuit. 
• Read the Manual: User manual and manufacturer maintenance suggestion.
• Read the warranty and register your product with the manufacturer
• Take a photo of the model and serial number: Many times nameplates are either not accessible, faded away, or scratched off during cleaning or moving things around. 
• Keep prep table and repair/service log.
• Keep your prep table away from direct exposure to the sun.

Contrary to what many might think, following the tips on the prep table list isn't as tricky as it might seem.

However, when it comes to finding an emergency repair technician on a Friday night, that's a challenge in itself. And trying to locate the right parts over the weekend? Well, that's a task that's almost close to impossible.

It's a known fact that not all prep table brands and designs are created equal.

Some brands stand out with their sturdiness, excellent insulation, and ability to maintain the required temperature. Take, for example, brands that offer exceptional warranty programs. In cases like a prep table freon leak, if your unit is still under warranty, brands like True will go the extra mile. Even if your "compressor is fine," they'll cover the cost of repairing the leak and provide a new compressor. This meticulous approach is because a leak could potentially reduce lubricant oil, posing a risk of compressor overheating. This warranty policy is truly one of the best in the industry.

Alright, let's get straight to the point. We're going to divide prep tables into three main categories and dive into the details of each:

• Under Counter
• Pizza Prep Table
• Salad / Sandwich Prep Table 

Under Counter Prep Table

These versatile units offer a flat top and fit snugly beneath countertops. The countertop space serves as a seamless area for food preparation, streamlining your kitchen's workflow.

What's great is the flexibility of adjustable shelving, allowing you to tailor the storage area to accommodate items of varying sizes. Ensuring precise control over temperature and humidity is essential for maintaining the quality and safety of your stored ingredients.

For those mindful of budgets, brands like Beverage Air, Everest, Valpro, and Avantco are popular choices. With proper installation, maintenance, and usage, these units can be quite effective. As you make your decision, consider the overall cost of ownership, understand the warranty terms, and remember to register your product.

When exploring options, look for models that emphasize efficient insulation and energy-saving features. Not only will this help trim operating expenses, but it will also contribute to your efforts in minimizing your environmental footprint.

Salad / Sandwich Prep Table 

Sandwich and salad prep tables are specifically designed to provide convenience in commercial kitchens. These tables feature a refrigerated well that sits flush with the table's surface. Depending on the layout, these wells can accommodate various sizes of pans, allowing for flexible pan configurations. These prep tables also come with a practical working area that includes a food-grade cutting board, typically ranging from 8 to 12 inches in width.

To enhance cooling capacity and overall productivity, manufacturers have introduced larger options like big and mega-top prep tables. These models feature three rows of pans and deeper wells. Many of these designs utilize cold air from the base area, directing it around the pans to maintain optimal temperatures.

One notable innovator in this field is Delfield Refrigeration, which offers a unique design with separate cooling systems for the pans and the base area. This design empowers operators to set rail temperatures independently, providing better control. It's worth noting that due to its advanced features, Delfield prep table repairs may require specialized attention.

In our experience, sandwich prep tables often demand more frequent maintenance, particularly cleaning the condensing coils. These coils tend to accumulate debris from factors like fry oil, airborne lint, flour, and even tiny breadcrumb particles. This buildup can occur up to four times a year, making regular maintenance essential for optimal performance.

Pizza Stations basics maintenance

Pizza prep tables are designed for speedy toppings arrangement. They feature raised rails, often angled, to facilitate easy grabbing of ingredients. The central well typically consists of a row that can be further divided into smaller subcompartments for organization.

Several reputable brands offer outstanding products and services, including Continental Refrigeration, Traulsen, and Hoshizaki. When choosing a pizza prep table for fast-paced tasks like pizza-making, consider factors like pizza production efficiency, the proximity to the pizza oven's heat, and insulation performance. Keep in mind that units with advanced features, like glycol-based systems, might be more challenging to repair.

While there's a common belief that flour-rich environments, like pizza stations, require more frequent condensing coil cleaning, this isn't entirely accurate. Airborne flour particles in the pizza-making area tend to dry up due to nearby pizza ovens. It's a good practice to clean the coils twice a year. Additionally, a quick vacuum or compressed air cleaning of the condensing coils should be done annually, and a more thorough wet cleaning with a mild detergent should ideally be performed off-season for optimal maintenance.

What should you look for before you purchase a prep table?

In the real world, when it comes to making a purchase, many people are drawn to the lowest advertised price. However, it's crucial to remember that the purchase price is just a small part of the overall Total Cost of Ownership. Making smarter purchasing decisions involves looking beyond the initial cost and planning for the long term.

Consider a scenario where owners take a forward-thinking approach and create a 20-year projection that accounts for various factors like energy expenses, maintenance and repairs, shipping fees, and potential modifications. This comprehensive view gives a more accurate picture of the real costs involved in owning and operating a product.

It's important to note that we don't have any affiliations or endorsements with specific brands. Our repair services are impartial and extend to all brands equally. Here's a case study involving a customer who needed to expand their operation and acquire a new sandwich prep table.

In the case of prep tables, proper air circulation (condenser breathing) is an absolute must for functionality. This means that there's no room for compromise – without proper air circulation, the compressor could burn out. Our customer faced a challenge when available space didn't allow for rear or side breathing units. Opting for these units would have required costly construction and a three-day shutdown of their store front.

Interestingly, the only unit that could fit seamlessly into the available space happened to come with a higher initial price tag. However, after careful consideration and number crunching, our customer made a noteworthy discovery regarding warranties.

It's a common practice for most people to prioritize the initial purchase price when making buying decisions. However, stories like this highlight the significance of looking at the bigger picture and considering factors like long-term costs and warranty coverage. Making an informed decision takes into account the entire ownership experience rather than just the initial expense.

Typical purchasing decision priority:

• Space / Location
• Unit Breathing Configuration
• Warranties
• Operating Energy Costs
• Power requirement