8 Best Buffet Food Warmers We’ve Tested

Tested & Approved: The Elite Gourmet EWM-6171 is the best food warmer in terms of time to keept food warm for a long time, durability features, and price. This modela features adjustable temperature controls, multipurpose warming trays, and a modern design for party enthusiasts. The second runner up is Chefman’s electric warming tray with an extra large glass top to accomoate buffet trays, casseroles, baking pans and even more. This is the best if you are hosting buffets, parties, and home dinners.

A good buffet food warming tray keeps food hot and fresh during party or family gatherings. Since buffet food warmers are now a must-have to keep the food items warm, you’ll need them if you are planning a potluck dinner or making a potluck side dish. For your convenience, we’ve tested the buffet food warmers. The testing took us more than 4 weeks and each product was thoroughly tested and compared for its features, ease of cleaning, food holding capacity, and most importantly the time to keep food warm. Lets have a look at the best food warmers we’ve tested.

Elite Gourmet EWM-6171

Features

• Stainless Steel finish for easy cleaning
• Keeps food warm for 6+ hours
• 2.5-quart capacity of each tray

View at Amazon

With Elite Gourmet Buffet Server, throwing a perfect party is a piece of cake. This food warmer keeps your food warm for more than 6 hour while maintaining its best flavor. The unit comes with 3 lightweight stainless steel serving containers, (each 2.5-quart capacity), a warming tray, and a removable tray frame.

Apart from using it as a warming tray, you can convert it into a buffet server making it an ideal option for restaurants, parties, and catering. The sleek design features an indicator light to adjust the food temperature, and lids feature slots to keep utensiles with trays. I love its dome-shaped lids to fill the containers beyond their 2.5-quart capacity.

Besides, it fuse safety feature works with adjustable temperature knob to prevent the tray from overheating. The cool to touch handles let you carry the tray even if there is hot food inside.

As for the downside, its large-sized trays aren’t much sturdy that restricts its portability and to move food between rooms. For this purpose, lifting its main container is the only option. Besides, it takes time a lot of to heat up, so you will have to turn it ON beforehand to keep food warm. However, you can speed up the heating process by adding hot water to the bottom tray. Apart from these drawbacks, this Elite Gourmet Buffet Server provides best value for money and performs up to expectations.

You can also buy this food warmer at: Walmart – BestBuy

Betty Crocker Buffet Server – BC 1586CY

Features

• Size: 21 x 16 inches surface area
• Power: 400 watts
• Adjustable settings for varying heat levels
• Black tempered glass top with stainless steel accents
• Works with all heat-safe cookware and bakeware
  
  Can be stored under the bed using original packaging

View at Amazon

The Chefman Electric Warming Tray (21 x 16 inches) is one of my favorite food warmers for both casual and festive occasions. With its ample surface area this family-sized warming tray can accommodate multiple dishes effortlessly, which makes it ideal for serving at Easter potlucks, or holiday meals.

Its adjustable temperature settings are much better than any other food warmer to keep food warm throughout the day. So, whether you want to heat appetizers or keep a low and consistent warmth for hours, its fuse safety feature and the 400-watt capacity give a reliable performance.

What I loved about this server is its sleek, black tempered glass top, which is easy to clean. I use a damp cloth to wipe its handles and top having spills of rice, gravy, and other messes. Besides, this serving tray is compatible with heat-safe cookware and bakeware, including aluminum and glass pans.

What I noticed is that the bottom of the tray heats up, so I recommend placing it on a fire-resistant surface, such as a large cookie sheet or granite countertop. Additionally, its thermostat-controlled temperature dial is unsuitable for Shabbat use as per halachic guidelines. So, whether you’re hosting a Thanksgiving feast or a holiday buffet, this warming tray ensures your food stays warm for the whole day.

You can also buy this food warmer at: Walmart – WayFair

Valgus 8QT Food Warmer

Features

• Material: Stainless steel
• Pan Capacity: 2 x 9.5 qt
• Product dimensions: 23 x 14.2 x 12.6 inches
• Heating method: Fuel

View at Amazon

If you are looking for a premium and easy to use buffet server, the Valgus 8QT is just the right choice. The unit comes with two containers of 9.5-quart each to serve a large gathering. Whether you are hosting a buffet, potluck breakfast or a potluck dinner, this food server won’t make you feel regret.

Its 2 fuel cans load with hot water, burning coal, or a candle to keep the food warm. The airtight lids ensure that the heat remains inside the unit. The unit comes with two water trays to fill with ice or hot water to maintain an ideal temperature of ice cream, custard, chicken wings, or Rice Pilaf.

The foldable legs and pans of this unit can be stacked into each other for a convenient storage option, making it ideal for a compact kitchen, or outdoor BBQ potlucks. The stainless steel body is durable and rust and corrosion resistant.

As for downsides, I noticed that the pans stick to each other while stacking them. To solve this issue, I poured hot water into the lower pan for easy release. Overall, the Valgus is the best large food warmer for a large crowd.

MegaChef Buffet Server

Features

• Features 4 Serving trays instead of standard 3
• Adjustable temperature knob for more heat control
• Compact shape and lightweight for easy transportable

View at Amazon

MegaChef food warmer is a party winner appliance that ensures that a delectable hot meal is served without a hassle. Its four serving containers (two 1.5-quarts and others are 0.75-quart capacity) give you a freedom to serve multiple food items to small gatherings.

Thanks to the stainless steel construction, you won’t have to be concerned about leaving these containers in the sink overnight. As for the build, this lightweight food warming buffet server is compact enough to be carried around conveniently and is safe to use on kitchen counters and serving tables.

Thanks to its 7-pound weight, and hard-mounted side handles, transporting the MegaChef buffet server is much easier than any other food warmer. The best part is that the detachable serving trays let you access the base warming tray for heating plates while serving warm potluck casserole dishes or potluck appetizers, and after use, you can stack them together in the kitchen cabinet. The adjustable temperature knob allows you to alter heat settings as per the requirement of the food.

As for the downsides, the 1.5 quarts capacity is not a good option for large parties. Furthermore, like the Betty Crocker, this model has dangerous sharp edges and requires the use of gloves and towels while handling them. Lastly, the small lids of the containers wobble slightly, and a 1/4-inch gap between the edges of the container and the corners of the lid makes it a bit difficult to use this food warmer.

Other than that, the MegaChef Buffet Server keeps food warm for a long time, thanks to its bottom heating tray and premium stainless steel build. Overall, the MegaChef Buffet server does its job efficiently till the end of your party.

You can also buy this food warmer at: Walmart

NutriChef 3 Buffet Server

Features

• Maximum size of 3.5 quarts
• Long cord for easy socket access
• Dome-shaped Lids to increase capacity

View at Amazon

If you are looking for a compact and portable warming tray with a lightweight design then the NutriChef Buffet Server is the right choice you can have.

Featuring premium stainless steel construction, this unit includes three serving containers with a capacity of over 3 quarts, almost double to capacity of the MegaChef buffer server, and enough to serve summer potluck dishes.

This 2-in-1 deal can work as a buffet warmer, as well as a container to store your food and keep it warm for weddings, birthday celebrations, or even business parties. The good thing is that the temperature control knobs allow heating dishes at different temperatures up to 175 degrees F and the dish will remain hot for 4 hours.

The stainless steel build is scratch-resistant and easy to clean. The feature that impressed me the most was the 3-foot cord to set it up in any serving area without the need for an extension cable.

However, although, this food warmer has been advertised by NutriChef as having a 3.5 quart capacity, our results proved otherwise. Each tray can carry a maximum of 3 quarts by overfilling it til the dome of the lid. Furthermore, the front of the warming tray gets warm, albeit not too much, and might cause accidental burns. The plastic lids are also prone to cracking due to high temperatures.

Overall, the NutriChef Buffet Server is a convenient solution for warming your food at parties. It is fit for several occasions and is a reliable companion for any party.

You can also buy this food warmer at: Walmart

Update International Chafer

Features

• Material: Stainless steel
• Dimensions: 12.64 x 12.6 x 10.04 inches
• Color: Aureate
• Usage: Non-electrical

View at Amazon

When it is something about food being served to the masses, we all need to be extra careful! The Update International food warmer is one of the best food warmers for parties.

Its stainless steel construction is stain and scratch-resistant and also distributes heat throughout the unit, keeping the food evenly warm. With such material and construction, you can use it as a hot pot, or a soup pot. Once I tried frying steak in this chafing dish and it turned out exceptionally well, although the large size makes it harder to use for cooking.

The fuel cup is large enough to hold a substantial quantity of coal or oil without the need to refill it frequently. You can easily use it for outdoor parties, camping, family gatherings, hotel use, etc. without worrying about the electric sockets.

Storing this buffet dish is even more convenient, thanks to its detachable units. especially, the covering lid, food bowl, fuel cup, fuel stove, and bottom stand.

Since it is a single-unit food warmer, it is not meant for a large gathering. It does not have any additional units, so it can only cater to a gathering of 25-30 people at max. Moreover, you’ll need to buy 2 or 3 of these to hold different menu items at your buffet table.

You can also buy this food warmer at: Walmart – eBay

Nova 8 Qt Buffet Catering

Features

• Stackable components for easy storage
• Total of 8 Quarts Capacity for massive gatherings
• 2 Fuel Burners to keep food warm for a longer time

View at Amazon

If you are looking for something more advanced with a higher capacity, Nova Buffet Catering is a good option. This pack of four rectangular chafing dishes with a total capacity of 8-quart makes it ideal for buffets, wedding banquets, hotel breakfast or brunch areas, or even self-service environments.

In terms of size and design, it offers portability with a sophisticated professional look. The mirror finish and a sturdy, matte stainless steel surface make it worth every penny. Besides, this food warmer is NSF-certified for complying with all safety standards. The handles on the sides of each chafing dish make it safe to be carried around with no chance of getting scalded.

In terms of convenience, these stainless steel chafers can hold the lids upright with support while the food is being served. Its long beveled legs further ensure stability so that the risks of the server toppling over are minimized.

Its bottom tray can support two adjustable fuel burners, making it ideal for banquet serving and also other scenarios where you need to keep food warm for long periods while minimizing flame exposure for the safety of your guests and staff. Washing this Buffet Server is also easy as you have access to every corner internally as well as externally.

As for the downsides, it is quite heavy with a weight of 36 pounds. While from the size it may seem as if it is portable, the weight says otherwise. Secondly, the stainless steel lids aren’t transparent making it harder to keep an eye on the remaining food.

Overall, it is an attractive alternative food warmer that is perfect for keeping food hot during the whole party.

Sterno Disposable Aluminum Chafing Dish

Features & Specs:

• A complete set with pans, trays, and lids for buffet service.
• Includes disposable food warmers
• The set includes spoons and utensils too
• Heavy-duty aluminum-based construction

View at Amazon

Sterno’s disposable buffet set is a complete solution for all your catering needs. The set includes everything you need for the setup. It includes wire racks, water pans, food pans, cans of Sterno Green Canned Heat, serving spoons, and serving forks for a complete buffet serving set.

With the fuel cans, you can keep your food warm for a long time. The pans are shaped so that they can hold a variety of items such as BBQ, roast, cakes, biscuits, rice, pasta, etc. The buffet dishes are large enough to hold a good quantity of all items.

Due to the small-sized trays of MegaChef buffet server, I had to frequently refill. However, this complete set makes the serving hassle-free for you so that you can spend more time with your friends and family. The buffet set is stackable and occupies less storage space in the kitchen.

This set of utensils allows you to place a spoon with each item so that the guests can help themselves. The chafing dishes are disposable so that you have less hassle of washing the dishes. However, one thing that I felt was missing in this set was the automated temperature controls.

Since it requires manual fuel, you’ll have to refuel the fuel cans more than once. At this time, I honestly appreciate the Betty Crocker’s buffet server with automatic temperature controls. Otherwise, this complete disposable set is a perfect solution to host a buffet party on a minimal budget, with less hassle.

You can also buy this food warmer at: Walmart

Things to Consider While Buying A Food Warmer

Here are few things you should keep in mind before buying a food warmer.

1. Capacity: It is recommended to buy a buffet server with a minimum capacity of 2 quarts. However, you can opt for a bigger model if you are hosting a large potluck party. As for the food warmers we’ve tested, the NutriChef Food Warmer has the ideal capacity of 3.5 quarts per serving tray.
2. Electric Or Non-Electric: We have included both types in this list. Both come with their benefits and drawbacks. Non-Electric Servers like Valgus Food Warmer, come with fuel burners to keep the food warm the food, whereas, the electric options like Mega Chef Buffet Server let you control temperature as well. While non-electric buffet servers may cause a fire hazard, electric buffet servers can have socket problems.
3. Heat Control: Make sure the buffet server has temperature knobs to prevent the food from overheating. For instance, With the Betty Crocker Food Warmer, you can select the desired temperature as per the food’s requirement.
4. Cleaning: The preferable material for easy cleaning is stainless steel as it is dishwasher-safe. Accessibility also matters for example you can disassemble Nova Chafing Buffet Server to access every corner while cleaning.

How We Tested?

After researching and compiling a list of the best macaron pans, our analysts put them to the test. The Buffet Servers were then classified according to their durability, portability, temperature control system, and safety features.

Why Trust AHealthyBowl?

Our ultimate goal is to ensure that the data you receive has been carefully reviewed by kitchen professionals and is as up-to-date as possible. Our expert team of analysts ensures that the top-rated products on the internet are thoroughly examined. After the entire process, the information is proofread for accuracy.