Apr 28th 2023 - Team
What Are Chafing Dishes? How to Choose the Best
Chafing dishes... what are they? It's a simple method for keeping food warm until it's time to serve. Here, you'll learn about the various chafing dish sizes and their respective purposes so that you may select the finest one for your event.
What Are Chafing Dishes?
A chafing dish is a multi-component device that maintains the temperature of hot food for significantly longer than would be possible with a standard meal pan. You may get chafing dishes in a wide range of sizes and styles, making them suitable for a wide range of catering needs.
Chafing Dish Origins
The French word chauffer, meaning "to make warm," is where we get our English word "chafing dish." Chafing dishes are large, shallow pans that employ low, indirect heat to keep food warm. They boil water to make steam, and the heat they employ can be either fuel, electricity, or induction heating. The food in the pan above is heated by the steam.
What Is a Chafer Used For?
Food that has already been cooked can be kept warm in a chafing dish. These meals will usually be laid out in a buffet-like line, and diners will help themselves. Chafing dishes are ubiquitous in the hospitality industry and can be found in hotels, restaurants, and catering halls. Keep in mind that chafing dishes are only meant for serving food at a serving temperature and not for cooking.
How to set up a chafing dish
Chafing dish setup can be risky, but these instructions will help you accomplish it fast and safely:
- The base should be positioned where it will remain while in use.
- Take the top off the can of chafing fuel and set it inside a suitable holder. The holder, with its dampening cover attached, should be placed on the stand.
- Fill the empty water pan and place it in the stand, making sure it is stable.
- Put about an inch of boiling water in the pan.
- Using your hand safely away from the flame, fire the fuel using a stick lighter.
- Cover the water pan and set it on top of the heated food pan.
Chafing Dish Sizes
There are three common sizes of chafing dishes: full, half, and two-thirds.
Chafing dishes of this size are typically rectangular and may contain 8 to 9 quarts of food. They are the most widely used chafer size and are typically used to store and serve main dishes.
Commonly square or rectangular, half-size chafers can accommodate up to five quarts of food. They're handy for storing and delivering sweets and savory accompaniments to meals.
Chafing dishes of the 2/3 size can accommodate up to 6 quarts of food and can be either circular or square. They're handy for holding and presenting little extras to guests.
Types of Chafing Dishes
Chafing dishes come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and designs, making it challenging to choose the best one for your company. To make things easier, we described each chafing dish's specific use.
Rectangular Chafing Dish
Most chafing dishes are rectangular, making them an important part of any catering set. Main courses can be served with ease from these full-size chafing dishes placed along the buffet line.
Used primarily for serving big portions of a main dish or a variety of side dishes. Many structures can hold pans of varying sizes and the sizes range from 3 quarts to 15 quarts.
Vollrath 46040
Round Chafing Dish
Chafing dishes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but one that stands out from the crowd is the round variety. Rather than spending extra time scraping leftovers from the edge or corners of a food pan, you can simply stir the meal in a circular motion whenever you need to.
The perfect size for eggs, casseroles, chili, and dips, among other scoopable dishes. They have curved legs that provide extra support for frames. The sizes range from 10 ounces to 14 quarts.
Rosseto SK049
Square Chafing Dish
You can complement your rectangle chafing dishes with square ones because they are typically used for serving appetizers and sides. They are small and lightweight, so you can easily transport them to and from the event without worrying about them taking up too much room at your table.
Perfect for displaying and serving salads, cereals, dips, and sweets.
Many are designed with an induction-compatible base for use with a warming plate. The sizes range from 3.5 to 8 quarts.
Vollrath 46135
Oval Chafing Dish
An oval chafing dish, with its egg form, is a sophisticated addition to any buffet. You can add some flair to your presentation with an oval chafing dish, some of which are just as large as standard rectangular chafers.
Excellent for presenting main courses, condiments, and sweets
have a reflective sheen to convey a sense of refinement. The sizes range from 4 quarts to 6 quarts.
Winco 603
Disposable Chafing Dish
Disposable chafing plates have all the warming capabilities of regular chafers, but you may save time after service by throwing them away instead of washing them. These chafing dishes are perfect for backyard barbecues and other relaxed gatherings.
This is an inexpensive option for continuing the production of chafers and is perfect for gatherings that require minimal cleanup time. They are perfect for eateries that provide catering services.
Drop-In Chafing Dish
Disposable chafing plates have all the warming capabilities of regular chafers, but you may save time after service by just tossing them in the trash instead of washing them. These chafing dishes are perfect for informal gatherings and celebrations in the great outdoors.
They are a more cost-effective option than continuing the production of pricey chafers. They're also perfect for parties that need to be cleaned up quickly and fantastic for eating establishments that provide catering menus.
Coffee Chafer
Coffee chafer urns are commonly used to store and dispense hot coffee and water for tea in hotels, at buffets, and at catered events. Your coffee and other liquids will remain hot for longer in these insulated chafers. You may quickly and easily re-fill your hot beverages because they include a lid with a knob.
Perfect for presenting steaming drinks during parties, indoors, or out.
You can also add two side handles to make it easier to carry and raise. It also ranges in capacity from 1 to 5 gallons.
American Metalcraft MESABUSS13
Soup Chafer
You can keep your soups, stews, sauces, and gravies warm during your service with the help of a soup chafer, also known as a marmite chafer. It has a wide base to keep it steady on the table and a tall, narrow design that facilitates ladling.
Use for other cooked grain dishes such as oats, grits, etc. You may also add two side handles to make it easier to carry and raise and range in capacity from 1 pint to 14 quarts.
Chafer Griddle
Chafer griddles simplify your business while providing a remarkable display cooking experience for your guests. They are perfect for cooking and presenting a wide variety of items, including pancakes, French breakfast, meats, veggies, and bacon. The open design of this chafer allows the aroma and sound of cooking food to attract customers.
Convenient for both preparation and presentation in the kitchen. They also contain liquids, such as juices, by having elevated edges. They make for a fresh, cutting-edge presentation.
Induction Chafing Dish
Instead of using a heated water pan like traditional chafing plates, induction chafers are meant to be used with induction cookers or warmers. There is no risk of burns or fires when using an induction cooker because it simply heats the chafer. If you're looking for a chafing dish that can keep food at a consistent temperature for longer than the competition, look no further than an induction model.
However, this type needs to be wired into the grid but perfect size for intimate settings.
Electric Chafing Dish
The reliability of electric chafers over chafing fuel in windy or rainy conditions makes them ideal for outdoor events. They are also great for use inside the house without the risk of an open flame. Remember that electric chafing dishes need to be plugged into an outlet before you use them.
You may also include a thermostat that may be set to any desired temperature. In the absence of an electrical socket, most people have access to fuel canisters for reheating food.