If you want to start a salad bar and are wondering what commercial equipment you need, you are on the right track. You want equipment that is necessary for your business, but also suited to the specific demands and the nature of a salad bar.
Yeah, your skill as a chef matters, but when you are done taking care of everything else you need to start a salad bar, it’s the quality of your kitchen equipment that will hold up the business and allow you to operate efficiently and effectively on a day-to-day basis.
Let’s discuss the top three kinds of commercial kitchen equipment you need to start your salad bar, and also check out some suggestions from some trusted suppliers who provide this equipment at a fair and affordable price.
1. Refrigeration and Storage Equipment
Needless to say, raw vegetables and fruits are extremely perishable, and operating your salad bar will require you to store large amounts of both. This is why you must invest in the equipment to keep them fresh, healthy, and ready to be chopped up. The following refrigeration and storage equipment will help you do just that.
i. Refrigerated Salad Bar Display Unit
If you had to buy just one item to start your salad bar, it must be a refrigerated salad bar display refrigerator. This multipurpose equipment will help so many aspects of your business:
- It is designed to keep ingredients at a safe temperature (below 40°F or 4°C).
- A display refrigerator is perfect for displaying your salads to customers. It typically has multiple compartments for various salad items, such as greens, vegetables, and toppings.
- Some salad bars even come with sneeze guards for hygiene, and others feature self-service designs for customers.
So, here’s why the salad bar is the ultimate equipment in a salad bar: it simultaneously keeps your ingredients at safe temperatures, displays them beautifully, helps maintain hygiene, and makes self-service easy for customers.
How to Choose a Salad Bar
The conventional wisdom is that you must choose a salad bar that meets and matches the volume of ingredients and customer traffic. However, if you are just launching your business, it would be wise to get one that slightly exceeds the current volume. That way, you don't need to buy another one once your business expands.
ii. A Prep Table Refrigerator
A commercial salad prep table consists of a salad bar and an under-counter fridge, and you will definitely need at least one of these for your salad bar. They are great for keeping bulk supplies like backup lettuce, vegetables, or prepped ingredients handy, especially during peak times when the preparation has to be quick.
How to Pick a Prep Table
When buying a prep table, it is important to look for one with multiple compartments and easy access doors or drawers. If it includes a top rail for ingredient pans, that is even better. Check out these options for your salad bar:
Single Door Commercial Salad Prep Table Refrigerator
Depending on the size of your menu, you might need a bigger salad prep table. In that case, you can check out the many models Wilprep has in its collection. There are 48" 2 Door Commercial Salad Prep Tables, 72" Commercial Salad Prep Tables, and much more.
iii. Commercial Freezer
As the months roll by, you will need to store large quantities of ingredients like lettuce, prepped vegetables, dressings, and proteins. This is where a commercial refrigerator comes in.
Buying a Commercial Refrigerator for your Salad Bar
When buying a commercial refrigerator for your salad bar, make sure you get one with sufficient shelving to organize different ingredients and prevent cross-contamination. Here are some options from Wilprep:
Commercial Solid Door Reach-In Freezer
Wilprep's 54" double-door commercial freezer has a volume of 42.2 cu. ft. and a temperature range of -11 to 14°F, allowing you to properly store meat, desserts, and other frozen foods for your business.
The interior and exterior are crafted from quality stainless steel, ensuring lasting durability and hassle-free cleaning. The 10 adjustable shelves, each capable of holding up to 88 lb, allow you to customize your storage.
iv. Storage Containers and Ingredient Bins
You will need a variety of airtight containers and food-grade storage bins to store prepped ingredients, grains, nuts, and dry toppings like croutons.
Buying Storage Containers and Ingredient Bins
- Food safety should be your major consideration when deciding whether or not a container is fit to store ingredients in. Generally, containers made of stainless steel, BPA-free plastic, or glass are safe.
- Don’t forget to label the containers with the date and contents. This helps with food safety, but also saves you from a potential cooking embarrassment.
Salad Bar Refrigeration Equipment List
| Equipment | Purpose | Why It Matters |
| Refrigerated Salad Bar | Holds ingredients during service | Keeps food at safe serving temperatures and allows easy customer access |
| Refrigerated Prep Table | Preps and temporarily stores ingredients | Maintains food safety during prep and speeds up workflow |
| Undercounter Refrigerator | Stores backup ingredients nearby | Reduces trips to the walk-in and speeds up restocking |
| Reach-In Refrigerator | Stores bulk produce and prepped items | Keeps ingredients organized and readily available |
| Walk-In Cooler | High-volume cold storage | Essential for large operations handling lots of fresh produce |
| Cold Holding Pans and Inserts | Hold ingredients within cold units | Maintain proper temperatures and simplify refilling |
| Produce Refrigerator (optional) | Dedicated storage for fruits and vegetables | Helps extend shelf life and reduce spoilage |
| Dry Storage Shelving | Stores non-refrigerated items | Keeps the salad bar organized and uncluttered |
2. Preparation Equipment
Some preparation equipment is specifically designed to be used for prepping vegetables. These are, of course, the type you need for your salad bar. The first is a vegetable prep table.
i. A Vegetable Prep Table
As mentioned earlier, a large, stainless steel prep table will be essential for cutting, assembling, and arranging ingredients. Remember to choose one that comes with under-shelf storage to hold containers, trays, or ingredients for quick access.
ii. Cutting Boards
You need multiple cutting boards to prevent cross-contamination. Dedicate separate boards for leafy greens, fruits, and proteins (if applicable).
Getting Cutting Boards for Your Salad Bar
Consider using color-coded boards (e.g., green for vegetables, yellow for poultry) to adhere to food safety standards.
iii. Knives
Quality knives are essential for chopping, slicing, and dicing fresh ingredients. A salad bar is a perfect example of a place where you need knives designed for cutting vegetables.
Hint: For longevity, sharpness, and overall good quality, go for Japanese knives. Here is a list of knives you will need, as well as some recommendations from Kyoku Knives, a trusted dealer in Japanese knives.
A Chef’s Knife (8-10 inches)
Chef’s knives are ideal for chopping lettuce, large vegetables, and proteins.
This 8" Gyuto Chef Knife from the Shogun series, made of solid VG10 Damascus Steel, would be a perfect choice.
The beautiful hammered finish on the tang showcases exquisite craftsmanship that's as stylish as it is functional. This dependable blade delivers razor-sharp cuts that stand up to years of use. It is an ideal everyday cooking tool and can withstand years and years of use.
Kyoku also offers other chef knives in varying lengths, designs, and styles. You can choose one that best suits your cutting needs.
A Paring Knife
A pairing knife is perfect for smaller tasks like slicing fruits, peeling vegetables, and finer cuts.
This 3.5" Japanese Paring Knife weighs merely 4 oz. and will do the job flawlessly. This fruit paring knife is ideal for mincing herbs, slicing fruit, peeling vegetables, cutting cheese, etc.
A Bread Knife
If you offer croutons or bread as salad accompaniments, you would need a bread knife. This 8" Japanese Bread Knife is also made of VG10 Damascus steel. Its precision-sharpened blade, treated with the classic 3-step Honbazuke technique, effortlessly slices through bread, bagels, and more with minimal effort.
3. Cooking Equipment (for Warm Toppings/Proteins)
One of the most effective ways salad bars win over more customers is by providing delicious and appetizing salad toppings and proteins. This is definitely one area where you can distinguish yourself and rise above the competition. For that, you need some cooking equipment.
Commercial Oven or Grill
A high-quality oven or grill is needed to make and serve roasted or grilled proteins like chicken, tofu, shrimp, or warm vegetables.
Choosing an Oven or Grill
A convection oven is better for your salad bar because it has a fan, which ensures even and effective cooking. For the grill, choose one that adds flavor to proteins. Here are some options from Wilprep.
WILPREP 1/2 Pan Countertop Convection Oven
This small convection oven is perfect for beginners. It features a 1.6 cu. ft. (46 L) cavity and 4 wire racks to accommodate 4 half-size sheet pans, providing ample space and flexibility for tasks ranging from toasting and roasting to baking and broiling.
For bigger models, you can refer to Wilprep's collection of convection ovens, where you will find models ranging from 7 cu. ft to 14 cu. ft capacity
Blender
A blender is ideal for making homemade salad dressings, smoothies, or sauces. You will need a High-powered blender that can easily emulsify ingredients for creamy dressings or blend frozen ingredients for smoothies.
This Commercial Blender With Toggle Switch from Wilprep has a 3 1/2 hp motor that hits a whopping 30,000 rpm, ensuring your food gets mixed in the blink of an eye. It is a true mighty workhorse in any commercial setting.
Wilprep also has other commercial blenders with varying capacities and price ranges for you to choose from.
Steam Table
The main advantage of using a steam table is that it keeps food items fresh without drying them out. If you plan to offer warm toppings like grilled vegetables, quinoa, or cooked proteins, a steam table will help you preserve that juicy deliciousness while they are waiting to be served.
This 2-Well Electric Steam Table with Storage features two 304 stainless steel heating tubes designed for dry use. They provide fast and even heating to keep your dishes warm, fresh, and ready to serve.
You can control each well independently, setting temperatures from 0 to 200°F.
Whether it's delicate vegetables or hearty roasts, every dish will consistently remain at its ideal serving temperature. For more options, you can also check the collection of steam tables from Wilprep.
Complete Salad Bar Equipment List
|
Category |
Equipment |
Purpose |
Why It Matters |
|
Refrigeration and Storage |
Refrigerated Salad Bar / Cold Food Well |
Holds ingredients during service |
Keeps food at safe temperatures and ready for customers |
|
Refrigerated Prep Table |
Prep + short-term cold storage |
Maintains food safety during prep |
|
|
Undercounter Refrigerator |
Nearby backup storage |
Speeds up restocking during service |
|
|
Reach-In Refrigerator |
Bulk ingredient storage |
Keeps prepped and raw items organized |
|
|
Walk-In Cooler |
High-volume cold storage |
Essential for large salad bar operations |
|
|
Cold Holding Pans and Inserts |
Hold ingredients in cold units |
Maintains proper temperatures |
|
|
Produce Refrigerator (optional) |
Dedicated produce storage |
Extends freshness and shelf life |
|
|
Prep Equipment |
Stainless or Refrigerated Prep Tables |
Workspace for chopping and assembly |
Improves workflow and cleanliness |
|
Vegetable Cutter / Food Processor |
Slice, shred, dice produce |
Saves labor and ensures consistency |
|
|
Salad Spinner / Produce Dryer |
Dries washed greens |
Prevents soggy salads |
|
|
Produce Sink / 3-Compartment Sink |
Wash and sanitize produce |
Critical for food safety |
|
|
Cutting Boards and Knives |
Ingredient prep |
Prevents cross-contamination |
|
|
Portion Scoops and Ladles |
Portion control |
Controls food costs |
|
|
Scales |
Weigh proteins and toppings |
Ensures consistent portions |
|
|
Food Storage Containers |
Store prepped items |
Supports organization and rotation |
|
|
Cooking Equipment |
Griddle / Flat-Top |
Cook proteins and toppings |
Efficient batch cooking |
|
Charbroiler / Grill |
Grill proteins and vegetables |
Adds flavor options |
|
|
Range with Oven |
Roast veggies, cook grains |
Versatile cooking solution |
|
|
Convection / Combi Oven |
Even cooking for batches |
Improves efficiency |
|
|
Stock Pots / Steam Kettle |
Cook pasta and grains |
Handles large quantities |
|
|
Rice / Grain Cooker |
Prepare grains consistently |
Saves time and labor |
|
|
Hot Holding Equipment |
Hold soups or warm toppings |
Maintains safe serving temps |
|
|
Miscellaneous |
Sneeze Guards |
Protect food |
Required for self-service hygiene |
|
Serving Utensils |
Customer self-service |
Improves flow and sanitation |
|
|
Food Pans and Lids |
Hold and rotate ingredients |
Easy cleaning and swapping |
|
|
Label Holders and Signage |
Identify items and allergens |
Improves customer trust and safety |
|
|
Thermometers |
Monitor food temps |
Ensures compliance |
|
|
Tray Slides / Plate Dispensers |
Organize plates and trays |
Improves customer flow |
|
|
Gloves and Sanitation Stations |
Promote hygiene |
Reduces contamination risk |
|
|
Waste / Compost Bins |
Dispose of waste |
Keeps the area clean |
Wilprep is Here for You
Having the right equipment will definitely change the way you run your business. When you get your commercial griddle from a trusted supplier like Wilprep, nothing is out of reach. You have the ideal equipment to expand your business, add more items to your menu, and attract more customers. You can even find a more comprehensive guide on how to start your salad bar.
