Using a food display case, including a portable food display case, to showcase your products is a good way to let customers see the food while keeping it at the appropriate temperature and safe to eat. There are various supplies you need to keep the cases looking new and visually appealing.

Whether you are ordering new or used deli cases, it is important to have all of the necessary supplies on hand to ensure the food display boxes effectively showcase your product. Keep these suggestions in mind when you purchase supplies for your food display cases:

1. Use lights in the food display case.

2. Make the display case visually appealing.

3. Ensure that the display case looks its best.

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Illuminate the contents of the food display case

Lighting is a major factor in how food looks in your food display case. If you are using a hot food display case, heat lamps are a good choice as you can shine them directly on the products closest to the customer. For refrigerated food display cases or dry cases, such as pastry cases, strip lighting or incandescent lighting are the appropriate choices as they stay fairly cool when lit.

I recommend: Pegasus Associates Lighting sells strip lighting for food display cases. This company offers wholesale prices and discounted shipping options. BulbTown.com has a varied selection of lights for food display cases, including safety coated, shatter proof heat lamps and incandescent lights.

Use food display case accessories

Food display cases with accessories are more visually appealing than bare display cases. Accessories, such as risers and grates make the food more easily visible than if you were to lay the food flat in the case. Grates also keep oil and water off the product. Thermometers are necessary to ensure the temperature in the case stays within the safe range. Signs that label and price the food make it easy for customers to identify the items they need.

I recommend: Hubert sells supplies for food display cases. You can find signs, risers, tongs, grates and thermometers, along with numerous other items on this website. Twin Supply sells displayware for display cases. This company offers discounted prices.

Keep the food display equipment clean

Dirty food display cases are a turn off for customers. Additionally, a dirty display case is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. By keeping your food display case clean, you ensure that the display case is appealing to your customers. This will, in turn, let customers know that your establishment is clean and sanitary.

I recommend: The WEBstaurant Store has an aerosol stainless steel cleaner and a liquid stainless steel cleaning solution. This company sells its products in bulk at wholesale prices. Instawares offers specialized cleaners for restaurant use, including foaming glass cleaner. This company offers deeply discounted prices on all of the products it sells. Additionally, customer service agents are available during regular business hours to help you select the most appropriate products for your needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Anytime you clean the food display case or do any work to it, such as changing the lights, cover the food completely or take it out of the case to ensure that it isn't contaminated.

Food display cases boost sales in restaurants, delis, bakeries and grocery stores. A well stocked food display case is inviting to customers, tempting them with delectable baked goods or savory meats and cheeses. A food display case with artfully arranged goods will encourage sales as well as add to the overall welcoming feel of a restaurant, deli or bakery.

Food display cases come in many varieties, including refrigerated and heated, wall models and counter top cases. Some food display cases are encased in glass, while others are open. A food display is ideal for showcasing a restaurant's specialty or store's weekly specials.

When looking at food display cases, think about the following:

1. Function - What type of food display case do you need? Hot, cold? Multi-temperature?
2. Efficiency - Many food display cases use a lot of electricity, for lighting, heating and cooling purposes. Select a model that is energy efficient.
3. Appearance - Are the food display boxes going to play an integral part of the overall design and look of your business? If so, you want to pick food display equipment that will enhance your business, not detract from it.

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Tempt customers with well stocked pastry cases

Baked goods can almost sell themselves, when they are in a beautiful food display case. Clever bakers know that positioning well stocked bakery display cases near the entrance will turn customer's thoughts to dessert, right when they walk through the doors. To help display baked goods to their full advantage, select pastry cases with interior lighting.

I recommend: Find pastry cases at Gourmet Display, who carries several types of tabletop food display cases. ACityDiscount is another vendor who carries a large variety of food display equipment.

Stay cool with food display coolers

A food display case is ideal for cold produce, such as meat, cheese and salads. Showcase beverages, from soda and juice to beer and wine with refrigerated display cases. Many refrigeration systems for food display cases include a condensation evaporator and a self contained air cooling unit, for maximum efficiency. And remember, refrigerated display cases need to be at 41 degrees to safely store perishable foods.

I recommend: Instawares and Display Case Company carry both deli cases and other refrigerated coolers. Brrr Refrigeration & Design is another vendor of refrigerated coolers and food display cases, including pass through coolers, ideal for convenience and grocery stores.

Keep warm with a hot food display case

Businesses that deal in hot foods such as delis and restaurants can showcase their food in a safe and hygienic environment with a heated food display case. Tabletop deli display cases are lightweight and durable, ideal for ever-rotating food displays. Many hot food display cases have more than one temperature, making them perfect for buffet lines and self-service counters.

I recommend: Delfield carries heated deli cases with attractive curved glass fronts and easy maintenance laminate siding. BakeDeco.com carries heated floor models that are well insulated, to ensure maximum efficiency. Henny Penny is another distributor of heated food display cases, including full size steam tables, and counter top models.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A weekly washing with a sanitary cleaner is the easiest way to keep your food display cases looking new. Select cases with removable shelves and/or doors, for easier cleaning.

Food display cases are an ideal way to show off your food products. These cases keep the food within a preset temperature range, which keeps the food tasting fresh and keeps it safe for consumption. Most food display cases provide access on only one side to ensure that only employees handle the food. There are, however, some self-service display cases on the market.

Food display cases come in a variety of styles and with numerous features and accessories. Once you decide if you need a lit or unlit display case, consider these food display cases basics when you are deciding on the appropriate model for your company's needs.

1. Use heated display cases to keep hot foods within the appropriate temperature range.

2. Keep chilled foods cold with refrigerated food display cases.

3. Protect foods served at room temperature with dry food display cases.

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Keep hot foods hot with heated food display cases

Keeping hot foods, such as pizzas and fried chicken, hot while they are in display cases is vital to food safety. Many of the hot food display cases on the market today include a humidifier or at least water pans that keep the food from drying out.

I recommend: Instawares offers numerous food display cases, including a hot food display case that includes a humidifier. ABestKitchen.com has a variety of specialty heated display cases, including a hot food display case that includes a pretzel revolver.

Show off chilled foods in a refrigerated food display case

Chilled foods, such as pudding, dairy products and potato salad, have to be kept below 40 degrees to prevent food poisoning. Refrigerated food display cases make keeping these foods chilled while showing them off to customers possible.

I recommend: Big Tray offers refrigerated food display cases. This company offers free freight on all of the display cases it sells. Display Case Showcase has a large selection of refrigerated food display cases, including chilled pastry cases. This company offers glass and acrylic food display equipment.

Display products that can be at room temperature with a dry food display case

Dry food display cases are food display cases that keep food at room temperature. These are ideal for products, such as donuts and cookies, that can safely be stored without having to be chilled or heated. It is important that you use a dry display case made for use with food to ensure there are no harmful chemicals or paint used to make it.

I recommend: Industry Kitchens is a dry foods display cases supplier. This company has ambient air bakery display cases in curved, straight and corner models. This company offers discounted prices. Restaurant Source offers a varied selection of non-refrigerated food display boxes and cases, including wall mounted models. This company offers wholesale prices and discounted freight charges.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check the temperature in the food display case several times per day to ensure that the temperature stays within the acceptable range.

Food-display cases not only display your food, they also need to keep it looking fresh and appetizing to your customers. There are many features that are key to a good food-display case. If you are serving baked goods or other foods that have the potential of drying out, it's important to have a humidifier in your display case. On the other end of the spectrum, if you have an abundance of condensation you may need a condensation evaporator. Knowing the key terms for food-display cases will allow you to make the best choice for your establishment.

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Self-service display cases

Self-service display cases allow customers to access the food themselves. You can use these in grocery stores and at buffet restaurants to keep food stored appropriately and ready to eat.

I recommend: Achieve Display describes and shows three types of self-service display cases.

Heat lamps

Heat lamps keep the food warm inside a food display case after it's cooked but before it's ready for you to serve or eat. Heat lamps also keep the food at a safe temperature to avoid spoilage and to prevent the growth of bacteria.

I recommend: Restaurant Equipment World explains how heat lamps can help you keep food warm and looking fresh.

Food humidifier

Food humidifiers keep foods moist. Without making your food soggy, they emit just enough moisture to make sure that foods prone to drying out stay moist and appealing to customers.

I recommend: MyPopcornMachine.com shows the benefit of having a humidifier for soft pretzels.

Risers

Risers in food-display cases allow you to maximize your space by creating several different levels on which to display your food. You can use risers to display meats, cheese and pastries.

I recommend: Hubert Company shows a photo of a wood riser that not only allows you to maximize your space but also helps keep your food fresh longer.

Condensation evaporator

You can place a condensation evaporator inside a food-display case to prevent the food from becoming soggy or oily. A condensation evaporator can also reduce the extra condensation produced by an air conditioner unit.

I recommend: Bush Refrigeration shows a few food-display cases that come with condensation evaporators.

Sneeze guards

Sneeze guards protect the food from potential germs, especially in self-serve food-display cases. They serve as a barrier over the food to protect it from sneezes or anything else that may be a potential contaminant.

I recommend: Erestaurantsupply.com shows the specifications on one type of portable sneeze guard.