The 10 Best Food Prep Tables
This wiki has been updated 17 times since it was first published in December of 2018. The key to good cooking is organized, methodical preparation, and that requires a certain amount of space. Ordinary tables are too low for most tasks, and may not be strong enough to survive the chopping, pounding, and kneading chefs might put their equipment through. These food prep tables, on the other hand, are made of robust materials and stand at comfortable working heights. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
September 07, 2020:
There were a few features we looked for when selecting our food prep tables. Durability was a top priority, as we want chefs to be able to carry out nearly any task on these, without fear of bending or breaking them. A generously-sized surface area was also important because cooks need to be able to spread out when they work. Some extra storage space was also a positive, in case users are operating in small kitchens, or just need a way to keep the items they're using for the task at hand, nearby.
As far as tough construction goes, the Honey-Can-Do Urban, the Royal Gourmet PW2448D, the Seville Classics Commercial-Grade, and the Gridmann Kitchen Work all earned spots thanks to their entirely stainless steel builds. Though the John Boos Cucina Elegante and the John Boos JNS08 are not 100-percent steel, the parts that aren't are made with solid hardwood, so they're also built to last. The Tricam Outdoor did not meet our durability standards, as it tends to rust, so we eliminated it during this update. While the John Boos Stallion is certainly sturdy, we removed it to make room for the Casual Home Kitchen Island, which also has an attractive wood top and an elegant design.
If you need more cabinets, drawers, and shelves because your more permanent kitchen fixtures don't provide enough, you may like the Clevr Rolling Trolley, the Home Styles Liberty 4513-95, or the Keter Unity, each of which have plenty of space to store things. They also each have wheels so you can roll them from your kitchen, to your barbecue area, to your dining table.
December 18, 2018:
It's easy to understate the importance of a good prep table, but any cook worth their sea salt will agree that it's actually a very important part of the kitchen. You'll see the Gridmann, Seville, and Suncoo most often in professional situations. There are some great outdoor options here, like the Royal Gourmet, Keter Unity, and the Tricam, which is intended for those who like to harvest their own meat. The Honey-Can-Do is extremely functional, and while everything from John Boos is awfully costly, it's also just about the best such equipment that money can buy.
Special Honors
Kitchen Source Chris & Chris Stadium Kitchen Work Station The Kitchen Source Chris & Chris Stadium Kitchen Work Station not only gives you a place to prepare ingredients but, thanks to its waste ring and trash bag holder, also makes it easy to throw away the scraps without leaving the prep area. It has two shelves and two drawers, and a small organizing tray and rod on the side. kitchensource.com
ULine Stainless Steel Cabinet Workbench The ULine Stainless Steel Cabinet Workbench is ready to meet the demanding needs of a commercial kitchen with its rust- and corrosion-resistant construction. It has a large cabinet with a sliding door that makes it easy to store and access essentials, and it has a convenient backsplash to minimize messes. Optional casters are available, should you like to improve its mobility. uline.com