Fish Cleaning Table Troubleshooting Before You Buy
Before purchasing a fish cleaning table, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure that it meets your needs and works effectively. Have you ever owned a fish cleaning station before that just wasn’t up to par? Not durable enough, not easy to clean, or maybe you’ve owned one that you loved at first, but it just didn’t stand the test of time. How about coming home from a long day of fishing and simply dreading going through the process of cleaning the day’s fish; has this ever been you?
Or maybe coming home ready to clean the fish, fired up about the day’s catch, but it’s simply too dark to see out there anymore without getting out the shop lights and three or four extension cords to make it happen? Picture this. You’re coming home from a nice morning of fishing, whacking on them with the boys, ready to get your filets ready before a shower so you can go be with the family and boom, and the next thing ya know it’s beaming down 102 degrees, so hot it takes the breath out of ya.
If you’ve ever found yourself in any of these scenarios, or maybe you’re just a first time buyer; here are some troubleshooting considerations and tips to keep in mind before purchasing your fish cleaning station.
Fish Cleaning Table Factors To Consider
When it’s time to spend money on a fish cleaning table, you want to make the best decision possible with your money. Let’s discuss each of these factors and highlight a little bit of why they may or may not be a dealbreaker for certain brands or designs when making your decision.
Quality Of Material
If the fish cleaning table you’re interested in isn’t composed of quality material then it will have a short lifespan. There’s no doubt about it, you get what you pay for, and purchasing a fish cleaning station that’s made of cheap materials will lead to purchasing another one down the road, most likely much sooner than you think.
A durable surface allows for solid, clean cuts every time it is used.
Size
The fish cleaning table’s size is another thing to consider. Inadequate size of the fish cleaning station leads to a crowded workstation, making the fish cleaning process harder and last longer than it needs to be. Not only do you want to prevent an overcrowded cleaning area, you also want to be able to process larger species of fish like Tuna, Swordfish, Red Snapper, etc. A small table will not allow a certain caliber of fish to be cleaned easily.
Stability
The next thing is the table’s stability. Cutting fish on an unstable table is not only extremely dangerous, but also far less effective than doing it on a nice, hard, and stable surface that’s not wobbling around with every move of the fishmonger’s cuts.
Durability
Related to table stability is fish cleaning table durability. A durable surface allows for solid, clean cuts every time it is used. Not only does it offer proper cuts, a durable, robust construction and strength of surface and frame means that the fish cleaning station will last a long time, weathering many storms and many cleaning sessions.
Fish Cleaning Table Maintenance
Maintenance and cleaning are the next things to consider. Clean tables equal clean hygiene. When it comes to a food surface, said surface should always be cleaned and maintained before, during, and after the fish cleaning process. If a table is properly designed, maintaining your fish cleaning station against bacteria and gross leftovers is much easier.
Design
Which brings us to our next factor, fish cleaning table design. Table design takes into account many small factors that can really make or break the quality of your fish cleaning station.
To start are accessories and attachments. A fish cleaning station with proper accessories like leg drains, water hose attachments, and built-in cutting boards aids towards maintaining a truly clean fish cleaning table without unnecessary hassle. Not only that but cup holders, sink accessories, and knife sharpeners can also be game changers when considering having everything you need at your fingertips right in front of you on the same fish cleaning station.
The next thing that goes into fish cleaning table design is table height and ergonomics. No one wants to come home from a day of fishing and start working on the filets just for the table to be too low, causing them to excessively bend over, which leads to back pain. If your fish cleaning station is set to the proper height and designed specifically for you and your needs, it will be an absolute game changer and make using your fish cleaning station much more enjoyable.
Height and ergonomic factors are things you should consider when choosing fish cleaning tables.
Last but not least is reviews and ratings. Before purchasing your fish cleaning station, do a deep dive and research multiple brands in order to determine which brand and design may be best suited for you and your needs as well as the designs that will be worth your money. Someone else’s story and experience may have cost them money and a negative experience that you don’t have to go through yourself and on the other hand, someone’s positive experience with a certain brand or design may lead you in the direction you need to go in order to find what you need.
Each one of these factors goes into the happiness of the customer’s purchase as well as the quality of the customer’s use of the fish cleaning station. There are plenty of brands out there on the market today. However, Killerdock seems to be the company that has set themselves apart from everyone else. Keeping up with the latest technology and constantly coming up with new accessories or designs, Killerdock manufactures some of the best, USA made fish cleaning tables available, while offering unbeatable customer service to match.
Material And Durability
Strength and durability are at the top of the list that sets Killerdock apart from other fish cleaning table manufacturers. A Killerdock fish cleaning table should be the last fish cleaning station you have to purchase and if properly maintained, Killerdock’s “Upscale” and “Slam” series fishing tables are built to last a lifetime.
Handcrafted tables, made of high quality materials, will last you a very long time.
Killerdock fish cleaning tables are made of marine grade aluminum (5000 series aluminum) and protected with a resin based anti-corrosion clear coat that covers the entire unit in order to combat the saltwater and salt air of saltwater fishing environments and would function extremely well in freshwater environments too. A King Starboard cutting board is applied to the top of the fish cleaning station and offers an optimal cutting surface for cleaning fish.
Ease Of Cleaning
Killerdock’s sleek seaward design makes for easy cleaning after getting the table bloody and fishy with the most recent harvest. A patented water intake system and patented leg table draining system makes for the perfect “spray and drain” scenario, toss a little bit of scrubbing and soap on the table, give her a quick rinse and Killerdock’s resin based clear coat will make cleaning as easy as one, two three. Also, the solid surface of this fish cleaning station doesn’t allow for any chunks of meat or fish scales and slime to get stuck inside the slots on the table, also no chunks of fish or blood will fall on you and your feet while cleaning fish. Another pro of the solid surface is no filets will be lost to the cracks in the tables falling to the water or onto the dirty ground.
Additional Features To Consider
There are several features that come installed on every station, a cup holder, knife holder and knife sharpener can be found on each side of the table. Additional features include a fish cleaning sink, drawers, and umbrella holders. The fish cleaning sink is perfect for a quick washing of the hands when cleaning fish and can also serve as a clean area to put processed filets or drinks on ice until you go inside. Fish cleaning sinks are adaptable with the Killerdock tables and can be added on even after purchasing one of their fish cleaning tables without one at first. Drawers being added to the station makes the perfect space for extra storage for any tools related to fishmongering or even extra lines for someone who needs to dock up. Umbrella holders can be a great addition on the “Upscale” table as it doesn’t come with the canopy like the “Slam” fish cleaning station does. These umbrella holders will hold an umbrella up to 9’ in diameter. The “Slam” fish cleaning station canopy can also be customized and your choice of canvas color. Not only does the “Slam” table have the canopy but also boasts a work station light for those late night fish cleaning sessions and is also nice for relaxing on the dock at night when needing some light around. Killerdock now offers new powder coating for their tables as well, if the customer wants to get that more rugged affect then Killerdock has made that feature available as well. They also offer deck furniture, if you’re in the market for some durable, eye pleasing outdoor furniture Killerdock has what you need.
Having drainage built into the legs of the fish cleaning table is a nice design feature.
Installation On Your Dock
Killerdock offers the biggest and strongest base plate for fish cleaning stations on the market. Even though the fish cleaning station is much stronger than others that are available, your station can only be as strong as the surface it is bolted to. With a good and proper foundation Killerdock can withstand winds upwards of 150 mph without flying off the dock.
Replacement Parts And Warranty
Killerdock’s excellent customer service, design and manufacturing quality guarantees that any fabrication aspects of the table (bends, welds etc) are covered for the duration of the tables lifespan. There are several maintenance upkeep tips offered by Killerdock upon purchase and if followed, your warranty will never be voided and your fish cleaning station should last forever. If required, new hose coils and nozzles are offered by Killerdock but they aim to build these things to truly last forever. The only part they should need to be replaced after years of abuse is the cutting board surface. Over time, many fish are cleaned; knicks, cuts and scratches take their toll and the King Starboard Cutting Surface will need to be exchanged for a new one. Contact Killerdock for a simple correspondence and they’ll get it handled.
Final Thoughts On Fish Cleaning Tables
In conclusion, Killerdock seemingly has THE nicest fish cleaning station on the market and checks off everything you’d be wary of and everything you’d be looking for in a fish cleaning table. With their willingness to work with any budget and customer, Killerdock is able to create any table size needed from 3.5-12’. The sleek and professional design of their tables are patented and more stylish than other fish cleaning stations on the market. Keeping up with technology, adding accessories for the table and manufacturing such a quality fish cleaning station has been what Killerdock is all about. From strength and durability to quality materials and manufacturing to patented designs and added accessories, once you’ve purchased a Killerdock you’ve purchased the fish cleaning station to last a lifetime. Whether saltwater or freshwater, if you’re an avid fisherman Killerdock has the ability to service you one of the most useful tools around, if in the market for a fish cleaning station then look no further, Killerdock and its amazing employees have got you covered with everything you may want and need.
