Food Holding and Warming Equipment

Why do you need food holding and warming equipment?

Food and customer safety are the main reasons holding and warming equipment is pretty much required in any foodservice business. Local, state, and federal laws have been put in place to ensure foods are free from bacteria. Maintaining hot cooked food at a temperature of at least 140 °F is required. Adversely, food that needs to be refrigerated should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Anything that reaches a temperature between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit has a chance of growing dangerous bacteria that can result in food poisoning symptoms.

Time management is crucial in commercial kitchens. Health inspectors demand that food be served at a proper temperature to prevent illness, and customers expect warm, ready-to-eat food that hasn't been dried out or burned. Whether you’re running a served catering meal or cafeteria buffet line, the challenge of safely holding food temperatures remains the same.

Not every dish is served directly to the customer once finished. To maintain food safety and required serving temperatures, foodservice establishments need commercial food warming and holding equipment. Kitchen personnel can design their cooking routine for efficiency rather than necessity by storing a variety of items for varied durations of time.

What type of equipment can keep food warm?

After spending hours to cook the perfect meal, no chef wants to see their work wasted by losing its ideal temperature.

• Food Holding Cabinets – Hold hot foods at desired temperatures without over drying.
• Heat Lamps and Strip Warmers – Used in serving stations to maintain safe temperatures between the time when food is cooked and when it is eaten.
• Heated Merchandisers – Display cases that hold required warm temperatures for pretzels, hot dogs, popcorn, pizza, and other items.
• Warming Drawers – Holds cooked dishes at ideal temperatures until serving. Great for warming service ware before use. Available in Built-In Drawer Warmers and Countertop Drawer Warmers
• Hot Buffet Stations – Fully heated buffet stations that will heat and hold foods at ideal temperature, while being servable for customers.

How can you keep food warm when transporting?

In many commercial kitchens it is important to have the right equipment to properly and safely transport hot food. Using properly insulated mobile heated boxes will allow any foodservice business to successfully serve hot foods off site. Insulated food warmers will help keep your foods at optimal temperatures while also keeping your foods level and steady, preventing loss of product during transport. Mobile food warming cabinets and carriers come in either stainless steel or sturdy polyethylene plastic.

• Food Carriers & Bins – Fully insulated and either front loading or top loading. Carriers can be easily stacked with dolly options for wheeling mobility.
• Food Holding Cabinets – Designed with heaters built into stainless steel or polyethylene plastic cabinets, this equipment is perfect for holding foods at desired temperatures while being easily movable throughout the kitchen.
• Food Transportation Systems – Specialized equipment for transporting and storing hot plated meals, trays, or food pans. Banquet carts are excellent for catering companies that pre-plate meals for a served dinner. Meal delivery carts are ideal for healthcare facilities, as they allow for plates and trays to be built in the kitchen then be moved in and out of rooms easily.

What is the food temperature danger zone?

Without the right warming equipment, leaving food out too long can stimulate the growth of harmful amounts of bacteria; lowering food quality and endangering the health of customers. Bacteria grows most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F. This range of temperatures is often called the "Danger Zone." Since the spread of bacteria cannot be easily detected, it’s important to keep your food at a safe temperature range both when it’s refrigerated and when it’s cooked.

Whether you’re storing, cooking, or holding food, it’s crucial to maintain safe temperature levels. Maintaining food at these safe temperatures keeps both you in compliance with state and federal health code laws while also keeping your guests healthy.

Can I use a food warmer to reheat food?

Food warmers should never be used to reheat food unless the unit is specifically designed and constructed to do so. Most hot food holding equipment does not have the ability to pass foods rapidly enough through the temperature "hazard zone". When reheating cooled foods, an internal temperature of 165°F should be reached. Reheat foods properly, then move them to holding or dispensing units for safe keeping. Rethermalizers are specific units designed for reheating foods.

What are the safest ways to reheat my food?

• On the stovetop: Place the meal in a pan. Cook until food reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
• In the oven: Preheat oven to 325°F. Cook until food reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
• In the microwave: Stir, cover, and rotate cooked food. Cook until food reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.