Heated Shelf Warmer Buyers' Guide
Ideal for holding already cooked food at safe temperatures, heated shelf warmers can be found in the back of the house or on buffet lines. Depending on the setup, warming shelves can be designed as countertop or drop-in models made from a variety of materials. Each design has its own pros and cons, and in this guide, we'll go over everything you need to know to choose the right type of heated shelf warmer for your business.
Choosing a Material for Your Heated Shelf Warmer
Heated shelves can be constructed of aluminum, ceramic, glass, stainless steel, and simulated stone. The type of material you choose should be based on your budget and how well you want your unit to heat. Some materials are more expensive or conductive than others, and the upfront cost and overall performance should factor into your final decision.
- Aluminum has great thermal conductivity and is very affordable. Most heated shelves with an aluminum surface are coated in a material that prevents the aluminum from getting scratched.
- Ceramic and glass surfaces are easy to clean and produce uniform heat for even cooking.
- Stainless steel – the material most commonly used for heated shelf warmers – is durable, resistant to rusting, and can be wiped clean.
- Units with a simulated stone surface provide an appealing aesthetic and uniform heat, making it a good choice for users looking to display product in the front of house.
Our Top Shopping Tip: Consider all the materials available and decide which one best suits your needs. Aluminum is very conductive, ceramic and glass are easy to clean, stainless steel is durable, and simulated stone is aesthetically pleasing.
Round or Rectangular?
Warming shelves typically come in either a rectangular or round design. Round warming shelves are limited in what they can keep warm and are typically used for warming pizzas; however, they can also be used for carving stations. Heated shelves with a rectangular shape are ideal for warming food pans and any other product that won't fit on a round warmer. The shape you need depends on what type of product you want to serve. If you're looking to warm pizzas or prepare a carving station, choose a round warming shelf. If you plan on warming product in food pans or food besides pizza, you should opt for a rectangular warming shelf.
Our Top Shopping Tip: Decide what product you want to warm with your heated shelf. If you want to set up a carving station or warm round products such as pizzas, a round heated shelf warmer is the best choice. If you want to warm product in food pans or other items that won't fit on a round heated shelf, a rectangular warming shelf would be the better option for you.
Countertop vs Drop-in Warming Shelves
Heated warming shelves come in two different designs: drop-in and countertop. Commonly installed on buffet lines and in pizza parlors, drop-in heated shelves are designed to be built into cabinetry, countertops, or custom tables. Typically, the countertops these units are dropped into must be able to withstand high heat. Countertop heated shelf warmers are designed to be used on most surfaces. These heated shelves don't have the same sleek appearance as drop-in models, but they have the advantage of being mobile, making them ideal for caterers.
Our Top Shopping Tip: Decide if you want your unit to be stationary or mobile. A drop-in model has a streamlined appearance and can be used for buffets, while countertop models are mobile and great for catered events.
Heating with Infinite or Thermostatic Controls
Heated shelf warmers are commonly designed with either infinite or thermostatic controls. Infinite controls enable the user to set the temperature levels to more than just high, medium, and low, creating precise conditions for holding products. Units with thermostatic controls are monitored by the thermostat, so users don't have to worry about setting the proper temperature, which helps reduce labor. New employees can quickly be trained to operate these units as they just need to know which level to set the temperature to.
Our Top Shopping Tip: Figure out how much control you want over the temperature. If you need to set precise temperatures, you should go with a model with infinite controls; if you want your unit to set and adjust the temperature for you, go with thermostatic controls.
KaTom's Quick Guide to Buying a Heated Shelf Warmer
Looking for some quick advice on which heated shelf warmer best fits your foodservice application? Our quick guide below can help you out.
- Which material best suits your needs? Aluminum is thermally conductive, glass and ceramic can be quickly wiped clean, stainless steel is durable, and simulated stone is aesthetically pleasing. The upfront cost of these different units can help operators determine which one is best for their budget.
- What shape do you need? Round heated shelves are best suited for warming pizza or operating as a cutting station, while rectangular warming shelves – the more common option because of their versatility – can be used to warm food pans and other items that won't fit on a round warmer.
- Do you want your warmer to be stationary or mobile? Drop-in models are streamlined and stationary since they're designed to fit into countertops, cabinetry, or custom tables. Countertop models sit on top of a surface and can be transported, making them great for temporary buffet setups or catering events.
- How much temperature control do you want? Infinite controls enable you to precisely control your unit's settings, while thermostatic controls are adjusted by the unit's thermostat.
