Chafing dishes, also known as chafers, are serving pans on stands. They use chafing fuel to heat a large, shallow pan of water above it, and as a result, the pan of food above it is heated, enabling the food in the pan to stay warm.
The indirect heat and the water prevent the food from drying out. Chafing fuel is designed to be placed under chafing dishes as it is the fuel source. As a result, the food is kept hot for an extended period.
Keep in mind that chafing dishes exist in different types in the market today, and as a result, not all use chafing fuel, i.e., electric and induction chafer dishes, which use hot water as the medium of heat transfer.
The water you should put in an electric and induction chafer depends on how long you use the steam table and the instructions on the chafers.
If you use too much water in the dish, the water will overflow over the margin of the steam pan. Anyway, too little water will evaporate, which may compel you to keep on refilling the water during your valuable event, limiting your time to interact with your friends.
They provide portable ways of heating food since they are made up of small fuel containers. The burn times of them are two to six hours.
Chaffing dishes can trace back the Romans Dynasty and the ancient Egyptian feasts. They were associated with luxury and wealth. The bowls of that chafing dishes were large, with beautiful décor, and their purpose was to keep food hot while serving.
You may be pondering where you can obtain the chaffers. You can buy them from your local supermarkets or online stores like Amazon and Alibaba Express.
Chafing Dish Definition
A metal dish or pan is mounted above a heating device to keep food hot at the table. They are close in design to Bain Marie; however, chaffers are not appropriate for cooking food.
The French term Bain Marie means Mary’s bath. Get it as a heated bath that you can use to cook food and also keep your food warm over time. It is also known as a double boiler or water bath.
A chafing dish keeps food hot at an internal temperature of 140⁰F or in warmers until serving time. The reason behind this is that bacteria grow rapidly below 140⁰FF. To keep food fresh from bacteria attack, you need the internal temperature of food 140⁰F.
It is made up of the following parts:
- Chafing Dish Lid- Used to retain heat and keep food at an even temperature.
- Food Pan- Top part on which the Pan lid sits, where the chafing dish is placed.
- Water Pan- This allows the food pan to be heated by the steam generated by the heated water.
- Chafer Frame- Holds and combines the individual elements into one piece of equipment.
As I had mentioned earlier, chaffing dishes exist in varieties, and as a result, choosing the best one for your business, i.e., catering, is essential. When selecting the best one to use, consider the following;
- Heat source-They have a variety of heating styles.
- Which shape of a Chafing Dish do I need? They are available in various conditions, i.e., square, oval, circular, and rectangular.
- Size -Chafing Dishes come in various sizes, i.e., full-size, and half-size chafing dishes.
- Finishing and styling-Does it add ambiance to your restaurant?
- Type of Lid or Cover-What kind of lid or cover best suits the guest.
Since poor sanitation and hygiene lead to various sicknesses, a chafing dish enables you to present a hygienic presentation that will save you time cleaning after your guests or clients serve themselves the food.
Please consider that a chafing dish is easy to clean and maintain since it is made from highly durable materials.
Chafing Dish Pronunciation
Break down the word ‘chafing dish’ into sounds; [CHAY]+[FING]+[DISH]. Loudly say or read the sounds while emphasizing them until you can produce them.
Reading aloud acts as a revision board for the pronunciation you are learning and improves your accent.
Some people may have difficulty in pronunciation due to mispronouncing particular consonant sounds, i.e., someone might substitute ‘d’ for ‘t’ and say ‘chaffing tish.’To avoid such mistakes, you need to pay attention to using your voice when you speak.
As much as reading aloud aids in pronunciation, there is a high risk of you mispronouncing the word due to guessing the word since you don’t know how to say it, and you might make the wrong guess.
What Is A Chafing Dish Used For?
A chafing dish is designed mainly to keep food already cooked warm; however, you can also use it for cold foods by filling the bottom part with cold water and ice to chill the food.
They are perfect for heating food at dinner parties, catering businesses, or buffet displays. The dishes are arranged in a buffet line where guests get the opportunity to serve themselves, giving you ample time to interact with your friends.
As much as chaffing dishes exist in varieties, stainless steel is the most recommended for any occasion due to its stylish design and durability.
Take into consideration that you cannot use a chafing dish indoors. As I had previously mentioned, it uses chafing fuel as its fuel source; however, it is not safe since it has lost many lives.
Final thoughts
Chafing dishes easy to use. Anyone, including your guests, can comfortably use them with ease. They have progressively become a popular way to present the food to the guests, allowing you to deliver the food, i.e., salads that give your body access to vitamins and minerals.
In addition, they also guarantee success in your business, i.e., the catering industry, due to their attractive nature or appealing design, which enhances the visual interest of your food presentation. Choose your unit and treat your guests or clients with great savory cuisines.
