What I have done is create a USB installer of my image and then put it away for safe keeping.
Internet Recovery is also a bit slow (dependent on your Internet speed/bandwidth). If you didn't have El Capitan, you will have to upgrade to it once the install is finished. If it was Mavericks or Yosemite, that's what you will get. One caveat to keep in mind is that it will install the latest version of OS X that is linked to the account/machine. I have done this personally on several MBPs. You basically hold ⌘ Command ⌥ Option R to launch an installer sourced from Apple over the Internet. Can I just build in the SSD, start the MacBook in Recovery Mode and install OS X from there on? The answer is 'yes.' I want to install a new Solid State Drive (SSD) into the Mac.
