Buyers Guide: Choose The Right Preparation Refrigeration
A clear, practical guide for business owners and operators. Use this to match your needs with the right preparation solution so you can make a smart long-term investment.
1. Why the right preparation fridge matters
The right preparation refrigeration keeps ingredients within arm’s reach at safe temperatures, preserves food quality, streamlines assembly, and keeps you compliant. Choose well and you reduce waste, improve service flow, and minimise power costs while safeguarding food safety.
SKOPE Promise: Quality you can trust, energy efficiency that helps reduce running costs, and expert support that stays with you for the life of the equipment.
2. Define your needs
Use this checklist before you compare models.
a. Menu and product
What are you preparing most: salads, sandwiches, pizzas, bowls, or mixed menus? Confirm GN pan sizes and depths, cutting board width, and pan layout for peak periods.
b. Kitchen layout
Where will the unit sit: back-of-house or open kitchen? Measure footprint and lid-opening clearance, and decide on free-standing bench or drop-in collar integration.
c. Temperature range
Look for consistent temperatures across every pan and rapid pull-down after openings. Consider performance in high ambient conditions.
d. Compliance and records
What level of temperature monitoring and downloadable history do you require for HACCP compliance?
e. Running costs
Think about power costs and the energy efficiency requirements you have. How energy efficient does your prep station need to be?
What are your top priorities?
- Protect food quality: even pan temperatures, fast temperature recovery after openings, gentle airflow at the well
- Keep costs down: energy-efficient operation and smart controls that reduce waste
- Fit tight spaces: compact footprints, front-breathing options, drop-in integration for bespoke benches
- Work quietly: low operating noise for open kitchens
- Make cleaning simple: removable wells and brackets, washable filters, wipe-clean stainless finishes
3. Understand the main preparation types
| Preparation type | Description | Best for | SKOPE fit |
| Salad preparation | GN 1/3 and 1/6 wells with hinged and sliding lids and integrated cutting board |
Salad, sandwich, bowl and cold-prep lines |
ReFlex Salad Prep ProSpec Preparation |
| Pizza preparation | Wider work surface and sliding lids over a larger well |
Pizza and flatbread assembly |
ReFlex Pizza Prep |
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4. Explore SKOPE preparation ranges at a glance
These ranges are engineered for real-world kitchens. You get commercial build quality, intelligent airflow, and controls that help you run a more efficient, reliable operation.
ProSpec Preparation
Premium, heavy-duty prep stations with full stainless-steel construction inside and out. Heated pan collar to reduce condensation, ChillGuard airflow above and below pans, left or right service options, and a removable refrigeration cartridge for easier servicing. Available as free-standing units or with a drop-in collar for seamless bench integration.
ReFlex Salad Prep
A value-packed salad and sandwich line with precise temperature control, app-enabled monitoring and compliance, removable wells and magnetic brackets for fast cleaning, and durable 304 stainless construction.
ReFlex Pizza Prep
A purpose-built pizza prep line with a wider cutting board and sliding lids over a larger well. Delivers strong efficiency, app-enabled control and compliance, and robust construction for busy service.
| Range | Best for | Energy efficiency | What stands out |
| ProSpec Preparation | Premium, high-volume kitchens and open kitchens |
★★★★★ | Heated pan collar, ChillGuard airflow above and below pans, drop-in collar option, removable cartridge |
| ReFlex Salad Prep | Value-focused salad and sandwich lines |
★★★★ | App-enabled control and compliance, removable wells, magnetic brackets |
| ReFlex Pizza Prep | Value-focused pizza and large-format assembly |
★★★★ | Sliding lids, wider work surface, high GN capacity |
5. Match scenarios to products
Small café or food truck
Constraints: very tight space, low noise, fast access
Recommended: ReFlex Salad Prep (2-door)
Why: compact footprint, front-breathing options, simple loading and quiet operation
High-volume cold line
Constraints: heavy traffic, frequent lid openings, strict compliance
Recommended: ProSpec Preparation (3-door)
Why: even airflow across pans, heated pan collar, removable cartridge servicing
Open kitchen or front-of-house prep
Constraints: customer-facing noise sensitivity, premium finish
Recommended: ProSpec Preparation with drop-in collar
Why: integrated bench aesthetic with high performance and quiet operation
Pizza production
Constraints: wide assembly area, many ingredients, frequent access
Recommended: ReFlex Pizza Prep (3 or 4 door)
Why: sliding lids, wider cutting board, high GN capacity
Multi-site operators and franchises
Constraints: repeatable compliance, energy targets, remote checks
Recommended: ReFlex Salad Prep or ReFlex Pizza Prep
Why: smartphone monitoring and downloadable temperature history to streamline audits
6. Plan for installation and lifetime value
Think about the below requirements before making your decision
Installation readiness
- Power supply and outlet type
- Ventilation and clearances per specification
- Load-in routes, door widths, lifts and floor strength
- Lid opening height and service-side selection
Maintenance and running costs
- Cleaning access for wells, filters, seals and hinges
- Regular temperature checks, controller updates, and data downloads if required
- Estimate daily energy use based on duty cycle and ambient temperature
- Preventive maintenance schedule and record keeping
7. Questions to ask before you buy
Here are six outcome-focused questions that keep the conversation simple and practical.
- What problem does this range solve best for a kitchen like mine?
- How will it protect food quality during peak service and affect my power bill over time?
- What do I need on site for smooth delivery and installation?
- How easy will it be for my team to use, clean, and maintain?
- If something goes wrong, what is the warranty and who will help me and how quickly?
- Why is this the best choice when I consider total cost of ownership?
8. Next steps
- Talk to a SKOPE expert about capacity, GN configuration and specification
- Compare models on SKOPE website
- Get a tailored quote
Why SKOPE
Quality and reliability proven in busy kitchens. Energy efficiency that helps reduce running costs. Innovation that makes daily operation simpler. Partnership and support from a local team.