Heated Cabinet

Heated Cabinets: What You Need to Know

Heated holding cabinets provide operators with a place to store precooked food during transport before it is served. The main difference between the holding cabinet categories is insulation or lack thereof. Units with insulated walls will maintain heat longer and require less electrical power than uninsulated units since heat cannot escape the cabinet. If cooked food isn't going to be served immediately, it must be held at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, as per FDA regulations. If temperatures drop below 140 degrees Fahrenheit, bacteria begins to grow on the food, making it unsafe for consumption. Heated cabinets are ideal for establishments that regularly need to store or transport already cooked food.

Common Questions About Heated Holding Cabinets

When would you need a heated cabinet?

If you need a place to store cooked food before serving it, investing in a hot holding cabinet would be wise. The most obvious application for these units is catering – they enable caterers to cook food in the kitchen and transport it to the serving venue at food-safe temperatures. However, holding cabinets can be valuable in other applications too. Pizza places often use heated holding cabinets to keep pies warm while waiting for customers or delivery drivers. Any establishment that does not serve food immediately after it is cooked will need a safe place to store said food.

What's the difference between insulated and non-insulated holding cabinets?

Insulated hot holding cabinets are more expensive up front than non-insulated versions because insulated walls require more labor and more materials. However, insulated models prevent heat from escaping the cabinet, keeping food inside at an appropriate temperature for an extended period of time. They can help save on utility bills over the life of the machine since the heater does not have to keep up with escaping heat, so while non-insulated units are less expensive than insulated units, they will not maintain heat for the same length of time when disconnected from a power source.

Think about the process you expect to use when storing food inside the cabinet. If you want your unit to operate throughout a large portion of the workday, the utility bill savings of an insulated model could quickly make up for the higher price. However, if you will only need your unit sporadically, a non-insulated model that will remain heated and plugged while it is being used will most likely suffice. If you will be using your cabinet to transport food – like for catered events – an insulated holding cabinet will maintain heat through the periods when the unit is not plugged in.

What applications are available?

Three different applications are available for heated holding cabinets: heat and humidity, heat only, and humidity only. Heat and humidity units keep food hot while ensuring it stays moist, and most of these units enable the user to adjust temperature as well as humidity. Heated units use only heat to keep food hot and fresh, and many are insulated to ensure heat retention. Units that utilize humidity alone are specialized versions called "growing cabinets." These models are designed to grow herbs and other microgreens right in your restaurant, ensuring the freshest presentation possible.

What other features should you consider when purchasing a holding cabinet?

Consider first which size food holding cabinet you'll need to store or transport your food. Sizes vary greatly in this category, and purchasing a larger cabinet than you'll use costs you more upfront and more in utilities as time goes on. Humidity control can also improve the quality of your stored food as cabinets that manage or provide extra moisture to their interior can keep food from drying out over the course of storage. Consider the type of food you'll be storing before investing in these features.