Restaurant Equipment Buyers Guide : hot food tables
Food tables are used to maintain food temperatures for operator service or self service. Hot food tables, also referred to as as steam tables, can have an electric or gas power source, are designed to maintain serving temperatures and are not intended to cook nor warm food from cold temperatures. These tables can be freestanding or custom built into a counter-top. Many options are available for food tables such as cafeteria breath guards for self service, buffet breath guards for operator service, overhead heat lamps, lights, shelves, tray slides on one or both sides, among a myriad of other options.
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Hot Food Table, 3 Wells, 48" Length, Galvanized Undershelf and Legs, LP Gasprice: $820.97
Hot Food Table, 3 Well, 44 3/8" Length, Gas, Wet Bath Unit, One 15,000 BTU Burner, Safety Pilot, Aerohot Steamtable Seriesprice: $949.00
Hot food tables or steam tables
Hot food tables may be referred to as steam tables and can be powered by gas or electricity. Varying models support wet heat or wet and dry heat. They can be used back of the house to keep food warm for serving, or front of the house for operator service or customer self-service. Some models include operator side cutting boards and individual controls for each well.
Wet and Dry - the most common and price conscious model requires a double pan system. The heated wells each require a 12" x 20" water pan filled with preheated hot water, then the food pans drop into the water pans for moist heat. Food pans (full-size, half-size, one-third size) may be set directly into each well for dry heat. Smaller food pans (one-fourth, one-sixth) require additional support to avoid the pans dropping down into the wells.
