French onion soup crocks are probably the most widely used crocks in the restaurant industry, but there are a few other crock options from which to choose and differences in styles. Crocks can come in sizes from as small as 8 ounces to as large as 20 ounces or more. The style you choose should be specifically based on the use. Most people don't want a 20-ounce bowl of French onion soup, but if it is going to be a family style appetizer, the 20-ounce crock may be just what you need.

Commercial soup crocks also come in different colors besides the traditional two-toned brown. There are many color and style variations including crocks with handles and lids. Get a better understanding of the different styles by:

1. Reviewing the basic French onion crock options.

2. Looking at soup crocks for sale that have handles.

3. Considering soup crocks types and styles with lids.

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Compare the options in basic French onion soup crocs

The standard French onion soup crock is a staple in many a restaurant, but the crock is sold in several colors and sizes. Watch for crocks to be dishwasher safe, microwave or oven safe depending on your needs.

I recommend: Use websites like The Find to compare different soup crock options. The site contains both traditional style French onion soup crocks with other less traditional options. To buy crocks in bulk, consider making your purchase from The WEBstaurant Store. It sells crocks in cases of 12.

Choose a handled soup crock as a twist on the original concept

The handled crock can come in handy in several situations. The handle remains cooler making the soup easier to serve and safer for the customer to move around on the table in front of him. A handled crock can also add an ambiance factor you just won't get with a simple crock that resembles a soup bowl.

I recommend: Galasource Ventures sells a handled crock in a simply elegant eggshell color, or Restaurant Sources offers a white handled crock that is just as simple yet elegant. Compare prices and check out reviews of handled and non-handled crocks at NexTag.

Consider purchasing soup crocks with lids

While a lid isn't always practical, it can be a real life saver in the kitchen and beyond if you're worried about your soups cooling off too fast. The crocks with lids are made to help keep your items warmer longer, but they also provide your customers with the element of surprise when they get to open their crock right at the table.

I recommend: Chef Central sells a simple onion soup crock in the traditional brown color with a lid, but if you are thinking about finding something with a more exotic twist, look at the crocks from Polish Pottery. The store offers many different color patterns and designs to compare.

Whether you're in the catering business or own a restaurant, French onion soup crocks can prove to be a staple in your inventory. Apart from their old world appeal, soup crocks are also well suited to keeping your soup dishes at an ideal serving temperature.

Whether you're looking for something elegant or something practical for serving your dishes, you can use French onion soup crocs to good effect. There are three approaches you should consider when purchasing soup crocks:

1. Purchase stoneware French onion soup crocks to lend your dishes an air of authenticity.

2. Before you serve your soup, you need to prepare it. You can do this in commercial soup crocks for the sake of practicality.

3. For catering purposes, consider soup crocks designed for durability and replacability.

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For authenticity, purchase stoneware French onion soup crocks

While there are several types of soup crocks for sale online, the only truly authentic type of French onion soup crock is the stoneware version. Whether you're using soup crocks for home entertaining or in your upscale restaurant, using a stoneware soup crock instead of a plastic version will provide an added note of ambience. Most epicureans will claim that you ruin the flavor of your onion soup if you use the wrong soup crock.

I recommend: There are several restaurant supply retailers that can help you find authentic French onion soup crocks for sale. Browse The WEBstaurant Store to compare soup crock makers and prices. Kitchen Kapers offers stoneware soup crocks in sets of four that are perfect for Individual servings. Royal Industries offers authentic French onion soup crocks available in cases of 24.

Buy commercial soup crocks for preparing your soup

In your kitchen it won't always be feasible to prepare your soup in individual French onion soup crocks. Instead, considering buying a soup crock pot that can handle large volumes. When your dish is ready to serve, you can easily transfer it to French onion soup crocs. Think of it as having two types of crocks for soup: soup crocks for preparation and soup crocks for presentation.

I recommend: Visit A City Discount Restaurant Equipment and Restaurant Supply to find soup crock makers and commercial soup crocks for sale. They have a good selection of large-volume soup crocks. Search through Cooking.com to filter your search for commercial soup crocks by price.

Find durable French onion soup crocks for catering and entertaining

If you're going to be transporting your cooking or serving large crowds, you don't want to risk damaging your most expensive French onion soup crocs. Luckily, there are several styles of ceramic and plastic soup crocks for sale that are perfect for catering operations. These durable French onion soup crocs are microwave safe and easily replaced.

I recommend: The Home Marketplace Online offers a practical selection of commercial soup crocks for sale. To outfit your restaurant or catering business you can find commercial soup bowls and plastic soup crocks at Instawares Restaurant Supply.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Soup crocks are available in several sizes, from 8 to 16 ounces. Keep your demographic in mind when buying your inventory. For an upscale restaurant, a smaller size may be appropriate. For a family style restaurant, a larger soup crock may be ideal.

Whether you run a fine dining restaurant or a sandwich shop, soup crocks are an integral part of the dining experience. A French onion soup crock, sometimes just referred to as onion soup crocks, can be purchased authentically and add style to your food service business. There is a variety of soup crocks for sale; you simply have to know how to save money while still offering your patrons an authentic dining experience.

French onion soup crocks can be purchased in bulk and have free shipping in order to save money but there are other things to consider as well. You can also find a soup crock style that is durable. While plastic soup crocks may be less expensive and useful for smaller restaurants, stoneware soup crocks may be ideal for a more refined restaurant. It all depends on what atmosphere you are trying to offer.

1. Purchase crocks for soup in bulk quantities.

2. Consider commercial soup crocks from vendors that offer free or reduced shipping.

3. Determine what type of commercial soup bowls is best for your restaurant.

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Save time and money by purchasing bulk amounts of soup crocks

Soup crocks are an item you will need plenty of so it's in your best interest to not only have enough when needed but to take advantage of the savings bulk quantity purchasing can net you. You can get a case of 24 soup crocks for as little as $69 at certain vendors.

I recommend: The Webstaurant Store has soup crocks in case quantities for bulk purchase savings. Royal Industries also has cases of 24 soup crocks with or without handles.

Take advantage of free or reduced shipping on your soup crocks purchase

Shipping on commercial soup crocks can be costly with some vendors, especially soup crocks made from china or stoneware due to their weight. Choose vendors that offer free or reduced shipping to save up to $75 depending on the weight.

I recommend: Chef's Resource has large soup crocks cookware and offers free shipping as well. Zesco has a handy shipping calculator that allows you to see the rates before you commit to a purchase. You can spend $325 and the shipping is estimated to be as low as under $25.

Choose the right type of soup crock for sale that is beneficial to your business

Depending on your type of restaurant, you will want the soup crocks you use to reflect your business. If you have a cafe or diner, you may want plastic soup crocks to save money. Plastic soup crocks can cost as little as $79 for a case of 250 but they are a one time use type crock.

I recommend: Wasserstrom has plastic soup containers available in cases of 250. Instawares offers plastic soup crocks with handles that have a stone color for a more expensive look and feel.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always check your commercial soup crocks order as soon as it arrives for breakage and damage.

Soup crocks are not only practical and functional, but they can be decorative as well. In order to properly serve soup to your customers you should determine whether you need French onion soup crocks or handled crocks. Be sure that the crocks you purchase are made of stoneware and are oven safe. Research soup crocks key terms in order to serve your customers soup the way they deserve to be served.

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French onion soup crocks

French onion soup crocks are the most commonly used soup crocks. French onion soup is often served in a ceramic or porcelain soup crock to keep it hot and to melt the cheese on top of the soup. The soup is served in the crock to the customer.

I recommend: The WEBstaurant Store describes the traditional French onion soup crock.

Commercial soup crocks

Commercial soup crocks are much larger than those used to serve soup at the table. A commercial soup crock allows the chef to prepare a large volume of soup at one time to then serve individually from the large commercial crock.

I recommend: Chef's Resource describes the specifications of a commercial soup crock.

Handled crock

A handled crock has an additional handle that can be used for functionality or just as an aesthetic feature. A handled crock can also be used to serve soup individually at the table and, other than the handle, is similar to the traditional soup crock.

I recommend: The Restaurant Source describes a type of handled crock.

Crocks with lids

Crocks with lids can help hold the heat in better than any other type of soup crock. With the added lid, the heat is held in until the minute the soup is served to the customer. The lid also adds to the presentation of the soup crock.

I recommend: Chef Central displays a restaurant-approved crock with a lid.

Stoneware

Most soup crocks are made of stoneware. Stoneware is a clay substance that is designed to withstand extreme heat. Once the crocks are made they are then glazed for firing purposes.

I recommend: Bay Village Store outlines a stoneware soup crock.

Oven safe, heat resistant

All soup crocks are designed to be oven safe and heat resistant so that the soup can be heated right in the crock. Often the soup is made in a different vessel, poured into the soup crock and put in the oven with the cheese on top to further heat the soup and melt the cheese.

I recommend: La Belle Cuisine explains the importance of a soup crock withstanding extreme temperatures.