Chafing Dish & Food Warmers
Macy’s has everything you need for the kitchen. From small appliances to food storage, and cookware to coffee makers, you’ll find it all right here. Today, we want to introduce you to a serving solution that’s a favorite with hosts from coast to coast: the chafing dish. You’ve probably seen this type of food warmer, sometimes called a sterno tray, at a buffet or catered event. But chafing trays work for all kinds of meals, celebrations, and events. Here’s more information and some ideas about how to use these helpful heating trays for food.
Food Warmers 101
Are you wondering what a chafing dish is? The quick answer is that it’s a large serving piece that keeps food warm for an extended period. Like other types of serveware, chafing dishes are mainstays at buffets, catered affairs, and large events. If you buy a chafing dish, you’ll notice that it has several components, including a shallow dish to hold food, a chafing dish pan below it for water, a fuel holder plate that stays underneath the water pan, and a removable lid to trap warmth.
To use a chafing dish, light the food warmer burner (usually a sterno light or a tea light) and place it on the bottom tray. Fill the lower pan with water and add food to the upper dish before closing the lid and placing serving utensils nearby. That's it. The heated water will generate steam, which warms food throughout the meal. Replace the chafing dish burners as often as needed.
When to Use a Chafing Dish
While it’s tempting to save a chafing dish buffet set for a formal celebration, they’re a helpful kitchen tool for all kinds of meals. They’ll warm scrambled eggs and pancakes during brunches with the whole family. Use them as food warmers for party appetizers, from casual bites like pigs in a blanket to elegant hors d’oeuvres. Side dishes are everyone’s favorite part of the holiday dinner. Serving them in chafing dishes means they'll stay at an optimal temperature, giving you ample time to carve and plate the main course. Do you like to cook on a barbecue? Put hot-off-the-grill morsels directly into a chafing dish so they retain their flame-kissed flavor. Sterno trays make hosting other casual get-togethers like the big game or poker night a breeze, too.
From food warmers to soup tureens, discover the best host helpers at Macy’s.