Many restaurants make use of commercial food heat lamps or commercial food warmers in order to keep their food service running smoothly. Food warmers keep foods heated to safe temperatures, allowing you to prepare food in advance. Food heated in advance is warm and ready to serve, making your service quick and your customers happy.

There are several types of commercial food warmers available, including cabinets, warming plates, chaffing dishes and more. The type of food you serve will greatly determine which type of warming equipment you will need. It is important to understand food safety requirements when purchasing warmers with a specific food in mind. You will want to make sure the warmer will keep foods heated within a safe temperature range. As you consider your need for equipment, consider these commercial food warming equipment basics:

1. Determine the best type of commercial food warmers for your restaurant.

2. Understand safe food handling before purchasing commercial food warmers.

3. Use portable food warming equipment to keep food safe for catered events.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine the type of commercial food warming equipment that will best suit your needs

There are several types of commercial food warming equipment available, each providing for a different type of food warming need. You will want to have a full understanding of the types of equipment available to make a wise purchase for your restaurant. Consider the types of food you will keep warm and the type of container you will keep it in, while you are searching for commercial food heating equipment.

I recommend: For a guide on the types of commercial food heating equipment available, visit KATOM Restaurant Supply. Browse through its buyer's guide to get a better idea of what warming equipment will work for you. A company that sells a wide variety of food warming equipment is Restaurant Source. Browsing through its web pages will help you get a better idea of the types of warmers available.

Purchase restaurant food warming equipment that will keep food heated to safe temperatures

Food safety should be a top priority for every restaurant. Keep this in mind as you look for commercial food heat lamps and other warming equipment. With a specific food in mind, you will want to purchase equipment that will keep it heated at a safe temperature to protect your customers, and employees, from food-born illness.

I recommend: Review the USDA safe food handling fact sheet before purchasing food warming equipment. Understanding safe food handling will help you to make a wise purchase of commercial food heaters. SDSU has several documents on safe food handling.

Transport cooked foods safely with portable food warming equipment

Restaurants that offer catering services will need portable food warming equipment to keep food at safe temperatures during transport and serving. There are several types of portable food warming carts, lamps and plates that will make keeping food safe a snap. Along with the right equipment, it's also critical to have knowledge on food safety.

I recommend: Everyday Health has a caterer quiz that provides helpful information on food handling safety, including portable food equipment safety. ArticleTrader.com provides a guide listing critical pieces of equipment you will need for your business, including portable food warming equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Save money on restaurant food warming equipment by purchasing used or refurbished equipment. Many times used equipment comes with a warranty, giving you a guarantee on the quality of the product.

Using commercial food warmers keeps customers happy, reduces heating bills and makes your work flow easier. Keeping the food you serve or sell appropriately warm is key to customer satisfaction. Commercial food warming equipment can be cheaper to turn on than a commercial oven for warming food.

When you use commercial food heat lamps, your work flow is smoother as you can make things in advance. Plus, you can prepare more for high demand time periods and put the items on food warming carts. Before selecting commercial food heaters, consider the following questions:

1. Which types of foods do you need to keep warm? Will your business require a heat lamp, plate warmer or portable equipment?

2. How many customers are you generally serving, especially at peak hours, holidays or events?

3. What size of commercial food warming lamps can your business accommodate? How much voltage can your company handle?

Action Steps
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Lay out dish size and type to help narrow down the choice of commercial food warming equipment

Will you be keeping food warm in a deep roasting pan, a cookie sheet pan, a service tray or other dish? Will you need adjustable racks or just one size?

I recommend: Zesco Products has warming equipment in sizes for anything from soup to pizza to hot drinks. Burkett and Sons, Inc., has countertop warmers, plate warmers, cabinets and lamps. Red Hot Restaurant Equipment has food warmers for soups, nachos, hot dogs and more.

Determine the volume of food you need to warm with commercial food heaters

How much food is your business keeping warm? Do you need equipment for four trays or 20? How many warmers will your business require? Does your business require portable food warmers for banquets, buffets or other events? These questions will help you narrow down the equipment to buy.

I recommend: FWE Equipment Specifications has a chart of their commercial food heating equipment by capacity. Hubert has food warmers for all sizes, from compact to food warming drawers to commercial food heat lamps. AAA Commercial Products sells portable food warming equipment.

Make sure commercial food warmers keep temperatures steady for food safety

Get equipment that maintains the temperatures your food requires to remain at safety standards. Find the temperatures that will keep the food you are serving safe. Choose equipment that will store and remember the temperatures needed. Check out the national standards for food warming in your industry.

I recommend: Thermodyne Foodservice Products, including food warming carts, are built to maintain temperatures at safe levels. Mission Restaurant Supply sells food warming supply drawers with multiple temperature controls.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When picking commercial food warmers, consider the moisture control options needed.
• •  Try renting food warming equipment before you buy to make sure the food quality is not compromised.

Commercial food warming equipment can be a large portion of your budget so it's necessary to train your staff how to correctly utilize them. Commercial food warming equipment education and training is important so that your kitchen is a safe and fully functional environment. Incorrect usage of kitchen equipment such as commercial food warmers is a problem that can cause unnecessary costs, cutting into your profit.

For reputable commercial food warming equipment education and training, work with vendors that know their product well and have educational materials at your disposal. Use training guides and paraphernalia that enhance your learning and always refer to included instructions and online guides. These tips can help you get started on commercial food warming equipment education and training.

1. Utilize training manuals and materials specifically for commercial food heaters.

2. Discuss proper usage with vendors that have food warmers for sale.

3. Refer to instructional materials that enhance your training in restaurant food warming equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use guides and training aids specific to your commercial food heat lamps

Educational materials about your specific commercial food warming equipment can be one of the most important factors in keeping your kitchen in working order. Consult with vendors on catalogs and training manuals to properly utilize your food warming equipment.

I recommend: FWE has catalogs for you to learn about covered plate capacity and other information so you know how to use your food warming equipment properly. Central Restaurant Products offers a helpful hints section as well as a live chat option and more information request on their products. They even include a video from Cambro Equipment on how to use their ultra pan carrier warming carts.

Consult with vendors who have knowledge of commercial food warming lamps

Discuss with a vendor that specializes in commercial food warming equipment. With their knowledge and product base, you can have an open rapport with someone well versed in your product training needs.

I recommend: Mission Restaurant Supply not only has representatives that can answer any questions about your food warming equipment, they also have an extensive list of specifications and information on their supplies. Ace Mart offers live help where you can choose to chat by phone or Internet.

Utilize manuals and educational materials about your food warming supply

Employ training guides, manuals and materials to help you train your staff on food warming carts. Specific manuals and training aids show the proper way to use your expensive kitchen equipment so that they stay in usable condition for years to come.

I recommend: Merco offers product manual downloads on all of their food warming equipment. Just choose your product and view the installation manual. Nemco also offers manufacturer specification downloads to make it easier to use your equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Refer to instructional and educational materials that are included in your purchase of food warming lamps.