How To Use Disposable Chafing Dishes

Chafing Dishes

When setting up a buffet table for a large crowd, chafing dishes are the only way to go!

silver chafing dish Stainless steel circular chafing dish

Planning your next big become-together? Whether it'south a birthday bash, church building fundraiser or holiday gathering--chafing dishes are extremely convenient for both the host and guests.

Chafing dishes allow a large number of guests to serve themselves while the host can mix and mingle without constant tending to nutrient on the stove or in the oven.

Even if you don't entertain frequently, purchasing or renting these dishes can't be crush.

Cooking for a Crowd Ebook

Types and Sizes

Stainless steel rectangular chafing dish

Chafing dishes, sometimes called steam pans, are simply large serving dishes in which food is kept hot or warm.

There are unlike types of chafing dishes but all consist of a frame or wire rack, a water pan, a food pan and a cover.

Water in the pan is used to conduct the oestrus which maintains the food at a proper serving temperature. The oestrus source is sterno or an electric heating element placed underneath the h2o pan.

Stainless steel chafing dishes can exist round, oval, square, rectangular and can also exist ornately decorated.The size of these dishes vary widely. They sit on a steel or metallic platform or rack and use an accompanying heating element or sterno.

They are perfect for an elegant or formal gathering and tin can range in price from $20 on upwards depending on adroitness. T hey are oftentimes used by professional caterers and restaurants and are available for hire at party rental stores or for purchase online or at eating place and catering supply outlets.

The most widely used type of chafing dishconsists of a large aluminum water pan and 1 or two smaller aluminum food pans. It is relatively cheap and dispensable.

The water pan is placed on a wire or chrome rack and volition concord ane, ii or iii nutrient pans depending on size.

Disposable chafing racks dishes Aluminum dispensable chafing dishes with wire racks and full-size and one-half-size pans

Disposable pans are usually used with a sterno oestrus source. These steam pans are available at party supply stores and department and disbelieve stores and range in price from $5 on upward.

For the dwelling house buffet table, aluminum rectangular food pan sizes range approximately from twenty x 12 inches (full size) to x x 12 inches (half size) to 12 x six inches (one-third size)

Water pans are sized to fit and the wire racks are usually full-sized.

How to Use

The first thing to remember is that chafing dishes cannot be used to bring foods up to serving temperature. Nutrient must first be at the proper temperature before calculation to the pan. Stainless steel and aluminum food pans can be used for cooking and/or heating the food in the oven or you tin can add food directly from another cooking pan or pot.

The water pan is placed in the wire rack and filled with HOT water to a level that is shut to but not touching the food pan. The sterno is then lit and placed under the water pan. The resulting steam will maintain the temperature of food that is already at serving temperature.

The h2o pan should be checked periodically to make sure the water level is maintained and the food should exist stirred occasionally to evenly distribute the heat and forbid scorching. Using a chapeau or cover volition go along food moist.

Chafing dishes volition besides keep cold foods cold. Fill the water pan with cold water and/or ice and of grade, don't light the fuel!

A Word Well-nigh Sterno

Sterno fuel is a formulation of denatured alcohol, water and gel and is perfectly rubber when used as directed. It comes in small cans and is mostly available from hardware stores and party supply stores.

The sterno wick is lit and placed underneath the h2o pan. A total-sized water pan may crave two sterno cans placed at opposite ends, particularly if the food is dense (such as pasta and cheese).

The flame is blue in colour and an 8-oz. can burns for about 2 to two 1/2 hours. The fuel tin can be extinguished and re-lit.

Quick Saftety Tips

◦DO Not LEAVE AN OPEN FLAME UNATTENDED

◦Open up the pan encompass carefully, to avoid burns from the escaping steam.

◦Do not use anything but sterno-type fuel in the burner.

◦Properly working dishes keep hot food at a safety temperature of 140 degrees or above to avoid bacterial growth. Ideally, temperature should non exceed 160 degrees to avoid overcooking

Chafing dishes brand your buffet table look professional, appetizing and bonny. They also allow you to cook food alee of time and place in the
dishes just before your guests make it--leaving yous free to mix and mingle.

Yes, chafing dishes are a party hosts' dream come true.

Happy Cooking!

Top of Chafing Dishes