Food Warming Equipment to Keep Buffets Piping Hot

Whether you are thinking of a buffet display or a carvery, keeping your cooked ingredients warm whilst waiting for service can be a tricky task. The food needs to stay at a heated temperature whilst not being allowed to cook any more. There is nothing worse than slaving away to prepare and cook everything to perfection for it to be ruined by either becoming soggy and overcooked or being allowed to go cold.

There are a number of small catering appliances that can help caterers to warm, display and serve cooked foods.

The principle of a chafing dish is simple: the ingredients are placed in food pans, which are then placed over a water pan filled with approximately half an inch of water. The food pans fit snugly into the water pan and do not allow any air to escape from the heated water below. The water is heated by either an electric source or a chafing gel candle. 

The build-up of heat and steam gently but effectively keeps your food items heated to the perfect temperature. Chafing dishes are so simple to use that if buffets or carveries are part of your business plan, they become an essential piece of catering equipment. Likewise, if you are planning to expand into offsite catering or undertake any BBQs or Hog Roast jobs, chafing dishes provide an ideal way to keep your side dishes and accompaniments heated, fresh and ready to serve.

Although the benefits are massive in regard to chafing dishes, there are certain choices and considerations that must be considered before you make your final decisions as to which piece of equipment meets your requirements.

• Shape: Commonly either circular or rectangular. Each shape has its own particular use. Round dishes are typically used for sauces or side dishes, while rectangular dishes are more often used to heat main courses.
• Power source: Electric heat may be safer in regard to fire codes and the use of naked flames, and are also ready to go every time they are needed; there is no chance of the fuel ever running out. Perhaps the only negative point may be that there may not be a power outlet nearby where your chafing dishes are situated. This leaves a lot less option for flexibility in regard to an electric chafing dish placement. A chafing gel heat source can be placed in a specially designed holder below the chafing dish, which adds the added bonus of being more portable and ready for use anywhere and anytime. If catering an offsite event, portability and adaptability to fit in with the host’s requirements are essential and providing these qualities is made easier when using a chafing gel heating source.
• Lid type: There are three different choices: hinged lids, roll-top lids and removable lids. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. 

• Hinged lids - designed so that when opened, the lid doesn’t flip open all the way, which results in covering any chafing dishes behind. This lid lock feature allows the lid to be kept open while service is in progress.
• Roll-top lids - easier to use when the guest's hands are full of plates, cutlery, etc. In a buffet or carvery line. Roll-top lids are easily flipped open and closed without the need to use two hands, therefore having to set the plate down. With a simple one-handed motion, the guest can retrieve what they want and replace the lid with a swift movement.
• Removable lids - the least expensive of the three options. Although they are effective, they can cause problems when the guest needs to either put the lid down somewhere while they serve themselves or lay their plate down whilst they hold the lid in one hand and serve with the other. These are the least efficient of the choices and can cause the food to be left open and, therefore, cool for longer than necessary.

Finding the perfect chafing dish for your needs allows you to take care of the heating practicalities of a buffet, carvery, BBQ or Hog Roast whilst also potentially creating a visually pleasing service area.

Obviously the correct storing of pre-prepared ingredients is essential, but never overlook the displaying of your products. Some establishments may require the use of a reliable, durable and hard-working buffet display. If your food display looks appealing and appetising then you can let your products speak for themselves and attract the attention they deserve from the customers. With ambient buffet displays and hot buffet displays available, every menu is catered for. 

You may also want to consider areas such as:

• Food arrangement in a logical, organised flow from starter dishes to mains to sides and desserts.
• Beverage dispensers for coffee, tea, juice and other cold drinks.

Heated display cabinets, food warmers and hot plates are also a popular choice for warming foods while optimising display.

For health and safety reasons, it is essential that food be served at a government-approved, specified, safe temperature. This prevents any chance of bacteria forming and causing a potential food safety issue. 

Understandably, in a busy restaurant which consistently receives a high volume of customers, cooking separate portions of vegetables and potatoes can be an unrealistic expectation. 

Similarly, in a café or canteen, this problem may arise. Although not always the most preferable option, preparing and cooking in bulk and then storing whilst still retaining temperature can be an obvious solution to many mainstream catering businesses.

Available in a variety of sizes, bain maries are an essential piece of kit that can accommodate all of your ingredients, meaning they are ready to be served at the appropriate temperature. The broad range of bain maries ensures that any kitchen can produce quality dishes on a large scale. With wet heat and dry heat bain maries available suitable for moist or dry dishes, menus can be held at optimum serving temperatures without losing quality.

Chip scuttles provide a perfect way to store previously prepared bulk amounts whilst retaining their temperature and their freshness. As chips seem to be a lasting firm favourite with the majority of customers, the sheer amount required for one shift will require a degree of prior planning and preparation. By investing in a chip scuttle, you will always be able to meet the demand of the paying public. Chip scuttles can also be used to hold wedges and other dry cooked ingredients.

Nothing makes a more warming and delicious snack or starter than a good quality, well-seasoned homemade soup. By providing guests with a daily choice of ‘fresh soup of the day’, you are offering a subtle amount of variety to an otherwise unchanging menu. Soup kettles and hotpots provide an excellent way to keep your broths heated to temperature but without spoiling. The range of soup kettles available on today’s market gives the potential buyer a choice of elegant and stylish pots which would complement any working kitchen or service area.