Prep Equipment

Prep tables are known as one of the most neglected pieces of equipment in the kitchen since they are high use and can be difficult to move for cleaning. For example, many ingredients involved with pizza prep, such as flour, sauce and a variety of toppings, these tables get messy.

With the race for operational efficiency and cost savings at its peak, operators need to establish surroundings that include the right equipment in the right place. A worktable represents one item that can be the most effective with proper planning.

Since pizza prep tables, or topping tables, come in a range of sizes and capacities, operators need to determine how much space they need to store and prepare ingredients. End users also should decide what size pans they will use as well as whether drawers, shelves or a combination of the two will best serve the operation.

Typically, pizza prep tables feature a raised condiment rail that keeps the topping pans higher than the surface on which staff make the pizza. Some units use a flat surface and wider openings for topping storage. Made-to-order pizza concepts, including those in the fast-casual space where customers can view pie ingredients, tend to favor these pizza prep tables.

Local health codes govern the number, types and sizes of prep sinks commercial kitchens must have. These regulations also address water levels necessary in each sink, backsplash heights and drain board sizes.

The biggest differences between standard and pizza dough mixers are that the latter has lower RPM (revolutions per minute), utilizes gears instead of belts, has a dough hook attachment and features heavy-duty construction. This makes pizza dough mixers, often called spiral mixers, better suited for dense dough. Mixer designs have generally remained unchanged in the last 50 years.