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If you plan to operate a sub and sandwich shop, food preparation equipment is essential to the success of your business. While there are many types of restaurant equipment you will eventually utilize in your restaurant, there are some staples you'll use every day. While the oven is a basic you've probably already considered, there are other supplies not to be put on the back burner. A few of the necessities you'll need are an electric tomato slicer, a proofer for your bread, a commercial bread slicer, and a refrigerated sandwich prep table. Here's what to look for:

1. The Professional Tomato Slicer

For a high volume restaurant and sandwich shop, you'll not want to be slicing tomatoes by hand. The most efficient way to slice your tomatoes is with the use of a commercial tomato slicer. This precision machine will slice your tomatoes perfectly for your sandwiches and salads. It's what every sandwich shop or restaurant needs for productivity in the kitchen.

You'll want to choose a tomato slicer with various blades and settings. This will produce different thicknesses of tomatoes for various needs. Look for straight edge blades, scalloped blades, and serrated edge blades if you want artisan type slices for specialty sandwiches.

Look for aluminum construction that is durable for everyday use. Stainless steel blades will resist corrosion. A protective blade guard is useful for keeping the machine stable while in use. Rubberized "feet" will ensure the unit will not slide around on your production table while in use.

2. A Commercial Bread Proofer or Proofing Cabinet

Before you bake your bread and rolls, you'll need to proof them. The proofer is basically a warming chamber that utilizes humidity. It will prevent the dough from drying out, which could make your bread brittle and crumbly. In addition, a proofer is used to ferment and rise the dough, prior to baking it in the oven.

Choose a proofer with a humidification system that uses several air ducts to keep the humidity in balance. You can adjust the humidity of the proofer with a control panel on the outside of the unit. The control panel will have timers as well, to help you ensure the right proofing time for specific breads and rolls.

3. The Commercial Bread Slicer

Whether you're preparing sliced bread or submarine rolls for your sandwich shop, you'll want to ensure a smooth slice every time. A counter top commercial bread slicer can save you time and provide professional results. You simply load your bread into the slicer opening of the unit, and it will slice it in a jiffy. It can slice an entire loaf of artisan bread or individual rolls one at a time. Look for a lubricated knife motor and heat treated steel blades for even cutting. Some also include removable scrap pans to catch any crumbs.

4. A Refrigerated Sandwich Prep Table

For preparing fresh sandwiches that are made to order, you'll need a preparation table that doubles as a cooling and storage unit. This is often referred to as a sandwich prep table. There are various types of prep tables that allow you to prepare your sandwiches and store your toppings and fresh vegetables. They are available in different sizes and widths for keeping your ingredients refrigerated and close at hand.

A sandwich prep table will feature a top unit/cutting board work space. It will also feature a few rows of food pans for holding the fresh veggies for your sandwiches. The interior is refrigerated to keep your food fresh and at a safe temperature.

Most all units will feature double doors to store food items that require refrigeration. The refrigeration cavity (depth) may vary according to the size of the unit. Some units feature a few drawers underneath as well to give you extra storage space. The unit should be constructed of heavy duty stainless steel to provide durability and rust resistance.  Contact a company like DSL Northwest, Inc. to find restaurant equipment like those discussed in this piece.