Restaurant Cooking Equipment: The Fundamentals of Countertop Warmers

One of the keys to success in the food service industry is creativity and innovation. As with any business, to stay ahead of the pack, you need to provide something your competitors can’t. Whether this is a menu option, customer service, or some form of restaurant cooking equipment; you have to be able to provide your customers with more, without spending additional time, money, and/or energy. A great way to do this for your restaurant is to add a commercial countertop warmer to your kitchen equipment arsenal. However, before rushing out to buy one of these exceptional devices, make sure you understand these basic facts.

What Are Countertop Warmers?
Food warmers are used for “holding” food at proper temperature, food has to be already cooked then placed into the warmer, unless it’s a “cooker/warmer.” The purpose of a commercial countertop warmer is to keep food hot and out of the danger zone. Many options provide space for multiple items and are great for increased product visibility. Warmers are especially useful in the food industry where they utilize buffets and or self-serve areas.

What Are the Benefits?
A significant benefit to commercial countertop warmers is their versatility. Commercial countertop warmers can heat a wide range of food items; allowing just about any business to find some form of this restaurant cooking equipment to use. These options can include a flat warmer, soup warmer, pizza tray warmers, and more.

Another perk is they require a very minute amount of space. Plus, depending on your specific unit, these devices typically have a low energy demand to run. In fact, most models can heat up quickly, and can promptly be turned on and off several times throughout the day to help limit their energy requirements; thus, they are a prime choice for smaller businesses.

What Disadvantages Do Warmers Have?
A primary disadvantage of commercial warmers is they typically don’t last very long. In most situations, a warmer will come with somewhere between a one and three-year warranty. Unfortunately, owners of this restaurant cooking equipment have found you get around five years with this device (although some more high-quality options are known to last between eight and ten years).

One of the most significant disadvantages of commercial countertop warmers is safety. Warmers are electric so there is very little chance of a fire hazard, unless it’s from a faulting electrical appliance. The hazard, however, comes from being scaled by steam or hot water when being serviced by an employee – warmers can be run “dry” or with water in their well. So, be sure to safely check the warmer before handling. Other times, when inappropriately placed, it can pose a serious risk to customers as well. If you’re interested in utilizing warmers for your restaurant, take into consideration where you will place the warmer. A secure surface level would be optimal so that it is always visible and always set safely in place.

While it is common to get some form of use out of this marvelous restaurant cooking equipment, you need to decide if it is right for your business. Before you rush out and make your purchase, check and see if you have the proper space for a commercial countertop warmer. Keep in mind, if you plan on showcasing the food inside a hot display, you will most likely require some form of Plexiglas encasement. However, if you are still unsure after considering all this information, call the experts at GatorChef at 1-888-944-2867 to get any additional questions or concerns addressed today.