Heaters Gonna Heat: The Ultimate Guide to Warming Cabinet Installation
In a busy restaurant, warming cabinets and heated holding cabinets do a big job of keeping food tasty and safe. After all, when it comes to food, timing is everything, and a good warming cabinet helps you get all your delicious dishes ready to serve at the same time.
While that may sound like magic—“stopping time” or “pausing cooking”—a warming cabinet really works by providing food holding at a safe temperature so it doesn’t die in the window before getting to the table. These tools play a critical role in the staging and timing process.
Advanced Warming: All About Warming Cabinets
Food-warming cabinets look a lot like ovens or classic kitchen cabinets. They are made to keep food at a consistent temperature with heated air and humidity control. The careful environment helps keep textures spot on and keeps food from overcooking or drying out as it would in a more conventional oven.
Heated holding cabinets are similar but more advanced versions of the warming cabinet. They have very precise controls to keep food hot and fresh while stopping the cooking process. The result is delicious food in its optimal state—ready for presentation to your customers.
The key role of heating holding cabinets and warming cabinets is one of food safety. The cabinets hold food at a temperature above 140°F to prevent the growth of illness-causing bacteria. Temperature control is especially crucial for buffets, food production, and catering—any time you need to prepare many dishes to serve at once. Healthcare facilities, hotels, and other large-scale operations rely on food-warming cabinets to reduce food waste and keep dishes safe.
Warming cabinets let you prep ahead of time while preventing the pitfalls of timing. Meats won’t get dry and rubbery; toppings won’t get crusty and inedible. The food you create stays beautifully prepared without giving you last-minute preparation headaches. Often, the units control humidity levels in the heating chamber, allowing you to transport food without it becoming dried out, soggy, or unsafe. Heated holding cabinets help with quality control for many different types of foods—everything from breads and pastries to meats and fried foods.
You’ll find a wide variety of warming cabinets—insulated and portable, non-insulated cabinets—at Eleven36. Some feature humidity control. Some holding cabinets are designed as “pass-thru” models, with doors on the front and back. Kitchen staff can load food in from one side of the pass-thru design and service staff can pick it up from the other. Counter models are convenient for smaller kitchens, whereas large banquet cabinets can keep many dishes out of the danger zone.
So, if you’re looking for ways to keep your hot food consistent and ready to serve, it’s time to explore your warming cabinet and heated holding cabinet options. Here’s what you need to know about buying and installation.
First, Check your Heat Sheet: Buying Considerations for Heated Cabinets
There are a few factors to look at as you make your choice for a heated cabinet.
- Insulation: To insulate or not to insulate is always an important question. Insulated cabinets feature lined walls of foam or fiberglass. This offers excellent temperature retention and control. Insulated cabinets are energy-efficient but can be a higher investment on the front end. Non-insulated cabinets are lighter and portable but don’t hold temperature quite as well. These units are best for smaller jobs where portability is important; think food trucks and smaller catering operations.
- Door Type: Similar to refrigerators, heated cabinets may feature a solid metal or glass door. Like refrigeration units, the doors offer similar benefits. Glass offers easy visibility and reduces the need to open the door to check inventory. Glass is also a great way to display foods to the front of the house. Solid metal doors, on the other hand, are better at retaining heat. Some units feature reversible doors that open left or right, which makes installation and placement a breeze.
- Other Considerations: What factors do you want to consider when selecting a heated cabinet? The temperature control options are essential to some operations, especially if you’re working with a wide variety of foods (for example, bakery and roasted meats). Humidity control is another crucial choice. You may find that it’s worthwhile to invest in the best, most precisely controlled cabinets, especially if you will be using them frequently.
Speaking of investing, cost is also a major factor. The price range for holding cabinets is quite broad, but generally, it’s wise to make sure you’re getting the most sizable, reliable option available for your situation. Size plays a significant role in a cramped kitchen, so look at the footprint, too. Will it be large enough to serve your needs in the near future?
Next Up, Take a Back Heat: Perfect Warming Cabinet Placement
The next consideration is placement. Where will you put your cabinet? How will it work with the layout of your workspace? How will you use the cabinet, and where will it fit into your workflow?
Size again plays an important role in placement. Consider how the cabinet will fit in proximity to your other appliances. Does it fit in a spot where your staff can conveniently stage food before service? There are a variety of sizes available.
Some smaller warming cabinets are mobile, and some larger units have wheels, allowing you to move them around the kitchen as needed. This can be very convenient as you decide on placement.
Also, consider the placement of your cabinet or cabinets in relation to power sources and outlets. Even though the temperatures are relatively low inside the cabinets, it’s also good practice to have a fire extinguisher nearby.
Give it your Best Hot: Assembling Your Warming Cabinets
Once you’ve chosen the perfect warming cabinet and figured out placement, it’s time to assemble.
If your cabinet is a stacked unit, you’ll place it in the stacking kit on top of the bottom cabinet. This is a job for at least two people. The units can be heavy, and you’ll want to be careful to avoid any damage to the warming cabinets (or yourself).
A stacking kit will include a stacking bracket to help you secure the units together. There will also be hardware within the kit, so you can attach the top and bottom together. Once the units are in place, use the included screws to attach them together using the stacking bracket. It’s vital to ensure a solid, stable fit to avoid any imbalances or tipping. As with most kitchen equipment, level placement is important for the best performance.
At Eleven36, we’re happy to install your new unit without hassle. This eliminates the risk of off-kilter placement and misalignment. It will help ensure your new investment is installed properly and worry-free.
Fasten Your Heat Belt and Power Up
The last step of the installation is to check the power. Make sure the cord is properly plugged into a wall outlet that’s rated for the right amount of power for the unit. Check the circuit breaker for the wall outlet and reset it as needed.
Be sure that you regularly check your kitchen equipment, including your warming cabinets. Keep them clean, wiping them down each shift and giving them a visual inspection. Every few weeks, take some time to check the heating elements and cords to ensure that the units are working exactly as expected.
As you look over your heated cabinet, keep an eye out for loose wires. Look for anything that’s disconnected or out of place. Check the wall behind the unit for any black or burnt marks, and watch for loose heating elements. You may also want to verify the temperature settings with a thermometer to be sure your warming cabinets are heating up to the proper level for safety.
If you notice anything amiss, contact an electrician right away. As with any electrical equipment, it’s a job for a professional. Commercial kitchen equipment may require special care and maintenance to continue to operate energy efficiently.
We Got the Heat! Find Warming Cabinets and Heated Holding Cabinets at Eleven36
At Eleven36, we carry the warming cabinets and heating holding cabinets to keep your hot food ready to go. Perfect plating and presentation calls for a holding spot you can rely on to keep food fresh, warm, and safe.
Two of our most popular warming units are the:
Both units are ideal for commercial kitchens with solid, stainless steel construction and plenty of room. The radiant Halo Heat offers consistent warming for safe dishes that can hold up to the wait. Keep your foods at the proper temperature with a reliable heating system for staging. At Eleven 36, we’re known for carrying the industry’s most reliable, high-quality brands. Protect your commercial kitchen with the right equipment to meet any cooking challenge. If you have questions about the purchase or installation of any of our equipment, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.