Food warmer

When used domestically, such as with fondue, a food warmer may simply be a small vessel containing food upon a trivet which contains a heat source such as a flame or electric element.

Some food cookers can then, in essence, become food warmers as they use a reduced heat to maintain a serving temperature.^[1] Electric rice cookers do this automatically. A multicooker is an electric kitchen appliance for automated cooking using a timer. In addition to cooking programs, a multicooker may have functions to keep food warm.^[1]

Some electric-powered personal-sized food coolers have a setting that serves to warm food inside of the cooler.^[2] These are typically marketed as cooler/warmers.^[2]

 

Commercial food warmers are used in restaurants as well as outdoor food carts.

In restaurants and hotels they may operate the same way, but on a larger scale. Buffets commonly use large, stainless steel containers with a sterno fuel source. Restaurants also use steam tables to keep multiple vessels warm at once. These have a large, shallow body of water that is kept at a certain temperature with pans of food placed on top, typically rectangle stainless steel.^[3] East Asia in particular uses steam tables in restaurants, and notably, portable ones to keep bamboo steamers containing dim sum dishes hot.

A flameless ration heater is a flameless chemical heater used to heat some types of Meal, Ready-to-Eat entrees.

This is a list of food warmers. Some may also serve as cookers.

• Bain-marie
• Chafing dish
• Crock pot
• Fondue
• Multicooker – some have a warming setting
• Rice cooker
• Steam table

• Food warmers
•  
  A commercial food warmer
•  
  An Austrian food warmer with insert, circa 1730-1735
•  
  A 'Pyramid' food warmer invented by Samuel Clarke in England
•  
  Grout's patent invalid's food warmer, England, 1871-1900
•  
  A food warming cabinet, c. 1910, cast iron, Ante Room, Shugborough Hall, Staffordshire, England
•  
  A flameless ration heater used for Meal, Ready-to-Eat
•  
  A contemporary food warmer with various foods

• Buffet
• Catering

•   Media related to Food warmers at Wikimedia Commons