Strip Heat Lamp
Strip food warmers are used in buffet-style serving stations to maintain safe temperatures between the time when food is cooked and when it is eaten. In addition to keeping food safe, strip food heaters hold food at desirable temperatures and help chefs maintain the right texture and flavor over the course of a serving session. More
These narrower units are great for pass-thru windows between kitchens and service areas because they ably cover smaller spaces.
With two banks of heating elements, these can provide wider coverage, making them the ideal choice for holding areas and serving lines.
Our strip heaters, also known as overhead food warmers, come in a variety of sizes and strengths, enabling operators to find options that will suit whatever they may need. These units are rated as heavy, medium, or light duty, and with single or double heating elements, they have varied power requirements, as well. The more heat a unit puts out, the more power it requires. Some need to be attached to the actual power grid, while others utilize standard 120-volt outlets.
Common Questions About Strip Warmers
Where are strip heaters needed?
Strip food warmers keep food warm between preparation and serving. They can be used in back-of-house applications to keep finished elements of a meal hot while others are being prepared and ensure high-volume items, such as french fries, are ready to be served. They can also provide a warm a spot for a plate to sit before servers take it out to customers. Restaurants serving high volumes of a few popular items can prepare food ahead of time and use strip lamps to keep it warm until it's ordered.
The other primary use for strip warmers is in buffet-style food service. Operators must keep the food they're serving hot for the best possible customer experience, and strip lamps are designed to do just that. Differing lamp lengths enable operators to choose one that fits their existing setup as closely as possible while saving energy by heating only what is necessary.
In addition to keeping food warm so it tastes better, these strip food heaters are vital for safety in any establishment that will be holding food for extended periods of time. The FDA warns that food held between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods of time should not be consumed. Strip heaters can keep your food above 140 degrees Fahrenheit so that it is safe to serve to customers, but even properly heated food should be thrown away after it has been held for two hours. Heating food, especially dense items, to the requisite 140 degrees can require significant power, so consider what you'll be heating before making a purchase and ensure the strip heater will be able to heat all the way through the product.
What's the difference between single and double strip warmers?
Dual strip heaters have two heating elements, providing operators with broad heat coverage that is perfect for the center of a table that serves on both sides. Consider the depth of coverage you will need when choosing between single and double element strip heaters.
What are the control options?
The controls for overhead food warmers range from a basic on/off switch to complex and even remote-controlled options. Consider how frequently you'll need to change the state of the heater and if a team member will be available to manually flip the switch when the light needs to go off. Efficient usage of the strip heaters will result in lower utility bills over time.
What other features are available?
Most strip heaters include lights, so operators don't need additional equipment to provide adequate lighting for buffet displays. Other features include curved units, hook and chain setups, and specialized controls. Consult individual product specification sheets to find the details of the unit you're considering so you have all the necessary information to make the best decision for your establishment.