Bain Marie & Inset Covers
Bain Marie covers preserve flavor and moisture as food is held in a hot water bath, chafer, heated food well, or steam table. Pans of food also may be stored in refrigerators or freezers, where these covers keep the food fresh and shielded from airborne contaminants, such as dust and microbes.
Bain marie covers are designed to keep food enclosed as it's warmed, held, or stored. Food held in a water bath sometimes is kept hot for hours, so operators must find a way to keep it from drying out or evaporating. Using inset covers keeps food from losing moisture in drop-in wells and water baths, and it can shield the contents from floating dust and hair that could contaminate it. When choosing bain marie covers for an application, it's important to consider the lid's size, as well as its features, to ensure you select the best option for your space and needs.
Bain marie lids typically are made with handles to provide a place for users to grasp when adding or removing the lid from hot holding pans; some models are hinged for streamlined food dispensing. Some have metal constructions to withstand heat, while bain marie plastic lids can be snapped onto cooled tubs of food to keep them fresh in chilled storage. Some inset pan lids have a notched rim that offers space for threading the handle of a serving spoon or ladle, suiting them for inclusion on a hot buffet or self-service food bar.