Spray tables - learn more about these useful tools for safely cleaning your vegetable crops

Annalisa Hultberg, Extension Educator, food safety

Not all produce needs to be washed at the farm, but some benefit from a rinse if there is visible soil. Things like fresh berries, tomatoes, zucchini, many herbs and some crops like peppers do not generally need washing until the consumer eats them. In fact, washing can significantly reduce the shelf life of many delicate crops and can lead to the produce rotting quickly.  Other crops, like salad greens, many onions and root crops almost always need to be rinsed or dunked to remove soil and remove field heat.

One great option for many crops is spraying. Spraying works well because the water just washes the produce and falls away. In this way it is a "single pass", as opposed to recirculated water. Think of it as giving your produce a shower, not a bath, whenever you can. 

Here are some options for spray tables that many farms have found work well.

1. Spray tables like this one from Webstaurantstore.com are sturdy, easy to assemble and will last for years. They also double as a box storage and packing location, making them extra handy. They are extremely easy to put together, and require no tools. 

Find this spray table here

2. This table is simply screening fastened over a wooden frame. This is a good lower-cost option. The screen is not as sturdy, so you will not be able to place boxes or other heavier items on the screen. Make sure to replace the screen when it starts to rust or break, or if you feel that you cannot clean it well. Remember the screen is a direct food contact surface, like your hands, so whatever is on the screen will be on the produce, so you will need to keep it clean and sanitary. 

Photo credit: Alison Buskirk, Michigan State University

3. This is a more substantial frame with greenhouse bench top on top of the frame. If you have the ability to use power tools, building a frame like this and screwing the bench top on the top will create a sturdy and useful table. The greenhouse bench top is called Dura Bench and is available at Carlin Horticultural Supply as well as many other online suppliers. It is generally quite affordable. 

You will want the bench to have about 1 inch holes. If the holes are any bigger produce will fall through.

For plans on building this table and the wash stand next to it, see this article.

This model has casters so it can be rolled, which is a very nice feature. It also has a hose hanger, which is very handy to keep hoses off the ground.

This metal table is attached to the outside of the packshed, so that spray can be kept outside.

Remember, you do not have to wash all produce for food safety reasons. Always ask yourself, do I need to wash the produce? Does it have visible soil? If you do need to wash it, consider using a spray table to gently spray the produce clean.  

For more information on other spray table considerations, see UVM spray table design tips and photos here.