Food warmer: types, choice and application

Professional chefs know well what a food warmer is and why it is needed. In everyday life, there are also situations where its use is required.

During festive and solemn feasts, dishes are not served all at once, so it is very important that they remain hot after cooking. Repeated heating of food negatively affects its quality and taste.

To maintain the temperature of cooked dishes use food warmers. In French, the word "marmite" means "cast iron", "pan". In cooking, this dish is designed to maintain the hot state of the finished dishes.

In them, food remains hot for several hours, it does not need to be heated in a microwave, oven or stove. Cooked food is heated to a temperature of 20-80 degrees, so it does not boil and does not burn. At the same time, meat and other dishes do not lose their juiciness and do not become hard and dry.

In such dishes, the food remains aromatic and tasty, as immediately after cooking. Food warmers have such characteristics as a method of heating dishes, dimensions, material of manufacture, device and designer design.

Apply food warmers quite widely. Most often they are used in the restaurant business, canteens, cafes and other catering establishments. They are also used in the delivery of hot meals, during offsite corporate events and in other cases when it is necessary to transport hot food.

They differ in their purpose and there are universal or special - only for hot first, second courses, drinks or sauces. They have different shapes: round and oval, square and rectangular. The installation method distinguishes between floor, table and mobile food warmers, as well as installed on a gurney.

By the type of power supply used, food warmers can be divided into such types.

• Food warmers without heating, keeping the temperature thanks to the food container, which has double walls with an air gap and a hermetically sealed lid. The thermos principle applies in them, but the high temperature of the food does not last long.

• Devices with an electric power source.

• Models heated by a gas burner.

In gas types of appliances, the temperature of food is maintained by burning gas. They can work both from natural, and from the liquefied gas.

The automatic gas control device stops the gas supply immediately after the device stops working. They are very convenient to use and can be used in everyday life.

Electric models operate at a voltage of 220-380V. In these types, it is possible to adjust the temperature of heating food and usually they have thermostats and sensors. The temperature amplitude can vary from 30 to 90 degrees and depends on the model of the device.

These models have a housing, food containers and electric heating elements. The food container with a lid is installed on a special stand, in which there are cast iron burners, each of them has a separate temperature regulator. Also, models are equipped with such options as a timer, indicator.

Electrical appliances heat up evenly, quickly and well maintain food temperature. Such food warmers are used mainly in catering establishments on the distribution line of dishes.

In addition, there are other options for the source of heating. To this end, often use candles, alcohol burners.

Candle warmer models are designed for home use. They do not require electricity. In such models, candles are installed on a base stand; there can be one or more of them. A food pan with a lid is placed on the frame above the candles.

Instead of candles, often use alcohol burners (spirits). These types of devices are widely used at events with a trip (picnics, receptions, banquets). For the manufacture of alcohol burners, high strength material is used. The burning time of the spirit lamp is from 2 to 6 hours. Models can have a different number of burners in accordance with the dimensions and number of food containers.

There are also modern high-tech models using infrared heating. This method allows you to achieve the highest rates of heat transfer. In these models, the light bulb (tube) is a heat source, it is also located in the base of the device under the pan. Basically, these food warmers are used to heat 2 dishes and a side dish.

Food warmers can also differ in the way of heat treatment of ready meals. There are two methods - dry and using a water bath.

Dry method is a direct method of exposure to food. In devices of this design, air is heated, the flows of which are evenly distributed inside the container, that is, the convection method is used.

The advantage of such models is that they are more economical.

Another method of heating is a water bath. In this case, there is a water tank under the food container. It, in turn, is heated by any power source (gas, electricity). Thermal stability is ensured by constant steam heating, which is produced in a steam generator from a liquid, and then evenly distributed inside the pan.

At the end of the operation of the food warmer, water is poured out through the mounted tap, which is protected against accidental opening by a special device.

For the manufacture of food warmers serve such materials:

• steel;
• ceramics and porcelain;
• heat resistant glass;
• natural stone (marble, granite).

Stainless steel food warmers can be chrome or polished. Usually used medical steel, which is characterized by high strength. Food warmers from stainless steel are most often professional and are used in catering establishments (restaurants, canteens, snack bars), since they are practical in maintenance, they can be washed in dishwashers and they are durable.

Porcelain and ceramic food warmers heat up very quickly. In addition, ceramics and porcelain retain heat for a longer period compared to other materials. Such models have a beautiful exterior design in the form of intricate patterns, decorative paintings.

Glass food containers made of heat-resistant glassable to withstand large temperature differences and withstand high temperatures. Typically, such models are combined, supplemented with metal inserts and very rarely completely glass. They have a modern design.

Universal models provide the ability to cook food in glassware, and then, putting it on a heated base stand, store or serve immediately.

Marble is most often used for the manufacture of food warmers for domestic use. It is environmentally friendly material, heat resistant and durable. Marble models are distinguished by aesthetics and originality of design.

The inner surface of food containers may be different: metal, ceramic and even wood. Exclusive and very expensive models can have a gold or silver surface.

Design features of food warmers meet their purpose.

This food warmer is intended and used mainly in catering establishments. These devices have large dimensions, consist of several food segments and modules. Since they are placed on the floor, they have very good stability. Floor constructions are often made in the form of showcases with numerous sections.

Stationary food warmers can also be:

• for first courses with a dry heating method;
• for main dishes and a side dish using a water bath;
• universal models designed for both first and second courses, as well as for drinks and pastries, which use infrared heating.

Such models are most often intended for domestic use at home, in the country, at picnics to maintain the temperature of cooked dishes. They are also used for beautiful table setting in a restaurant or at home. Serving food warmers have a small volume - within 5 liters. There are models with various power sources and heating methods.

There are table food warmers, not only with one food container, but also double and even with several containers for heating various foods. In this case, the containers differ in size: for the first dishes they are somewhat deeper than for the second.

Food warmers for first courses can be of such types:

• hermetically sealed round-shaped food container (like a barrel) on small legs;
• food warmer, consisting of a stand, in which there are burners that maintain heat, and a food container that fits on this stand.

  Table food warmers for second courses are a construction of a food container with a lid on a stand with a heating device.

These species are used in such establishments in which cooking is carried out separately from those places where it is distributed. Therefore, there is a need for its delivery. They are also often used during receptions and the organization of the buffet.

Mobile models are food warmers installed on a gurney with wheels. Two swivel and two non-swivel wheels with a rubber layer provide easy and maneuverable movement in space.

There is one more specific type of food warmers for serving buffet banquets and receptions - this is a chafindish. By design features, it belongs to the tabletop and is intended for second courses, drinks and pastries. The modular design of the chafindish allows the use of one or several food containers. These food warmers have a rectangular shape, removable food blocks of three standard volumes: 1, 2 and 3 liters. Food is heated in them by water vapor.

There are many household models for this useful kitchen appliance. The most popular options are few.

• Table top Becker in the form of a soup bowl with a volume of 2.6 liters is used to heat soups and other first courses. The food container itself is made of heat-resistant ceramic, and the stand is made of polished steel in "pink gold". The handle on the lid has the same design performance.

There is a hole in the lid for steam output.

• Model Rozenberg used to heat 2 dishes. The volume of the food block is 1.8 liters. This model is made of steel (stainless steel). Heated by a candle. There are also models of this brand with heat-resistant ceramic or glass marmitza on a chrome stand.

• Gipfel - This model of an oval-shaped home portable portable food warmer made of heat-resistant transparent glass is intended for first courses. For heating, candles are used. The stand and cover are made of chrome steel with a mirror surface.

All materials used are environmentally friendly and safe. The food container has a volume of 3 liters.

• Marmit Fissman. The models of this brand have a wide range. The material for the manufacture can be glass, ceramics, steel. They differ in various shapes and volumes of food containers.

The tabletop model is heated with candles and is designed for 2 dishes.The 2.5 liter food warmer is made of ceramic, and the lid is made of heat-resistant glass.

• Model of the brand Mercury. The household rectangular food warmer is a ceramic food container with convenient handles on a metal stand. Ceramic lid tightly covers the pan. It can be used in the microwave and oven for baking dishes.

The material of manufacture is of high quality. Heated by tea lights.

• A good option for a table portable food warmer is a universal model brand Avat. This is an electric food warmer, the heating of which is carried out using a water bath. The model has two food units and 2 water tanks. The temperature range is 30-85 degrees.

Select food warmers in strict accordance with the purpose and purpose of its application, since for professional and home use requires completely different types and models.

For professional use, large-sized appliances with numerous containers, made under a display case, are needed. For small cafes and eateries, desktop models for various purposes are acceptable, for receptions - mobile.

When choosing models for the home, you need to consider the following nuances:

• You need to choose a model in accordance with the dimensions of the room where it will be used: the dimensions, shape and type of food warmer depend on it.

• Power models are easier and safer to use.

• The type of heating depends on the purpose: for the first dishes dry heating is possible, for the second - in a water bath.

• For use at picnics (for heating barbecue) or other outdoor events, it is better to choose a portable food warmer.

• It is economically more profitable to purchase a universal (with several blocks) model.

• Ceramic food bowls keep heat better and longer.

• When choosing a model with a serving purpose, it is important to pay attention to the design so that it matches with other dishes.

• The appearance of the lid is also important. The simplest and cheapest classic option is the removable lid. But in use it is not too convenient. A hinged lid is more convenient, although it is more expensive. It also matters the angle at which it can recline: it should be large enough (180 degrees are best), otherwise it will be difficult to change the capacities inside and wash the food warmer.

All types and models of food warmers have instructions for their proper operation, which must be studied after purchase and strictly adhere to it.

When operating electric stationary devices, it is required:

• monitor the health of the grounding device;
• monitor the technical and sanitary condition of the food warmer;
• do not leave it switched on if the containers are not filled with food;
• disconnect the device beforehand (a few minutes) before the end of work;
• Food warmers operating in a water bath should not be used if the water tanks are not full.

After finishing work, thoroughly wash all the external elements of the stand with warm, soapy water, then wipe them dry with a cloth.

The easiest to use serving table models with heating from candles (or spirits). Candles are set on fire and the food warmer is placed on the table, which allows not to use additional serving plates.

In this video you will learn how to prepare a dish in a food warmer, to serve beautifully on the table and keep it hot, thanks to a special design.