When planning a refurbishment, expansion, or temporary catering setup, one of the most common questions is simple:

Which mobile preparation kitchen size is right for my operation?

Choosing the correct mobile preparation kitchen ensures your team can work efficiently, maintain hygiene standards, and avoid unnecessary temporary kitchen hire cost.

Below, we break down the difference between our 3.8m Small Preparation Kitchen and 6.2m Medium Preparation Kitchen, and when each one makes the most sense.

What Is a Mobile Preparation Kitchen?

A mobile preparation kitchen is a fully equipped, hygienic workspace designed specifically for food preparation rather than heavy cooking.

It can operate:

• As a standalone prep unit
• Alongside a production kitchen
• Connected to cold rooms or dishwashing units
• As part of a complete temporary catering facility

These units are commonly used during refurbishments, emergencies, events, or large-scale projects where additional prep capacity is required.

Small Preparation Kitchen 3.8m – When Is It the Right Choice?

The 3.8m preparation kitchen is ideal if you need compact, efficient prep space without installing a full production setup.

It works particularly well when:

• You need to hire a temporary kitchen for prep only
• Space on site is limited
• Two chefs need dedicated prep space
• You are supporting an existing cooking unit

What the 3.8m unit includes

The small prep kitchen is designed for hygienic, streamlined workflow and includes:

• Upright fridge 610 litres
• Two stainless steel prep tables with undershelf
• Four-tier storage racking
• Double bowl sink with inset wash hand basin
• Wall-mounted water heater
• Fly killer
• Soap and towel dispensers
• Serving hatch on most models
• Non-slip heat-welded vinyl flooring
• Hygienic wipe-clean walls and ceiling
• Vapour proof lighting

Technical overview

• Internal height: 2.3m
• External length: 3.8m
• Width: 2.85m
• Weight: approx 3 tonnes
• 63 amp single phase electrical connection
• 15mm cold water inlet
• 40mm waste outlet

This unit is particularly suited to:

• Care homes
• Events
• Restaurants expanding capacity
• Sites needing vegetable prep, sandwich prep, or snack production

It keeps your workflow efficient without oversizing your setup.

Medium Preparation Kitchen 6.2m – When Do You Need More Space?

The 6.2m preparation kitchen is designed for higher volume operations where multiple chefs need room to work simultaneously.

If your project involves:

• Larger catering teams
• Extended refurbishment periods
• Higher daily meal volumes
• Complex prep requirements

Then the 6.2m unit provides the extra capacity needed.

What the 6.2m unit includes

The medium preparation kitchen expands on the smaller unit with:

• Upright fridge 610 litres
• Four stainless steel prep tables with undershelf
• Four-tier storage racking
• Double bowl sink with inset wash hand basin
• Wall-mounted water heater
• Fly killer
• Soap and towel dispensers
• Serving hatch on most models
• Non-slip safety flooring
• Hygienic wipe-clean interior
• Vapour proof lighting

Technical overview

• Internal height: 2.3m
• External length: 6.2m
• Width: 2.85m
• Weight: approx 4 tonnes
• 63 amp single phase connection
• 15mm cold water inlet
• 40mm waste outlet

This size is ideal when prep becomes a bottleneck in your operation.

Small vs Medium Preparation Kitchen – Key Decision Factors

When deciding between sizes, consider:

1. How many chefs need to work at once

Two chefs working comfortably may only require 3.8m. Larger teams will benefit from 6.2m.

2. How long the hire will last

Longer projects often justify more space for efficiency.

3. Available site space

Measure access routes, vehicle clearance, and positioning areas before choosing.

4. Integration with other units

If linking to production kitchens or cold rooms, layout matters.

Can Preparation Kitchens Operate Alone?

Yes. Both units can function as standalone temporary catering kitchens or be linked to other mobile kitchens to create a full commercial setup.

This flexibility makes them suitable for:

• Refurbishments
• Emergency kitchen replacement
• Event catering
• Construction site catering
• Long-term commercial kitchen hire

Planning Services and Installation

Both preparation kitchens require:

• 63 amp single phase electrical connection
• Mains water supply at minimum 1.5 bar pressure
• 40mm waste outlet connection
• Suitable access for delivery

Planning these services early ensures smooth installation and avoids delays.

Which Preparation Kitchen Should You Choose?

If you need compact, efficient prep support, the 3.8m unit delivers everything required without unnecessary space.

If your project demands higher capacity, multiple chefs, or longer-term use, the 6.2m unit offers the working room to maintain productivity.

Choosing the right preparation kitchen size ensures smoother operations, better workflow, and controlled temporary kitchen hire cost.