The heated cabinet is a device that makes work very easy and quick. As a result, many owners of catering establishments are keen on purchasing one. What are the advantages of using a heated cabinet? Can you use it to keep fries in paper packaging ready for serving? And is it possible to replace it with another machine? Find out how a heated cabinet works and why it is worth investing in one.
What is a heated cabinet?
A heated cabinet, also often referred to as a heating counter, is a professional and extremely helpful device designed for the food service industry. This temperature maintenance unit is used to display warm dishes, ready for purchase. The presentation of food served in the premises is only one of the tasks of the display unit. Its main function is to maintain the temperature of the food placed in it. You can store any type of food ready for collection. You can store there any type of food ready for delivery. Thanks to the heated display cabinet, the food stays warm for a long time, the chicken breading mix does not lose its crispness and the fries retain their appetising crunchy texture.
Heated cabinet – how to use it
The heated cabinet is a device in which we can successfully display the dishes we serve to our guests. Dishes placed in the display cabinet look great and entice with their appetising appearance.
With the help of the warming cabinet, finished dishes can wait in warmth for the order to be served. Thanks to the heating system, the dishes lose neither their temperature nor their crispy texture.
Heating counter – temperature
Thermostatic control, with which a significant number of the heated display cabinets are equipped, makes it possible to ensure the optimal temperature inside. The operating temperature is between 40 and 80 degrees Celsius. This makes it possible to keep the food warm for up to an hour.
Practical solutions of the heated cabinet
When considering purchasing a heated cabinet, it is worth paying attention to the solutions used in the device. A very convenient and at the same time practical feature is the LED lighting installed in the cabinet, a water container for maintaining the appropriate level of humidity and gravity ventilation. If we assume that we will store more dishes in the cabinet at the same time, it is worth investing in multi-level heated cabinets.
What dishes can be stored in a heated display cabinet?
Heated display cabinets are extremely useful in restaurants, cafés, buffets, diners and other catering establishments. They effectively take care of maintaining the right temperature of the dish and are great as display units. They can store any type of dish that is served hot. This is especially true in view of the fact that, thanks to the control option, it is possible to precisely adjust the heating temperature to suit the food placed in the display cabinet.
Heated cabinet for chicken
The hot holding display cabinet oven will work well for breaded chicken, pizza, fries, but also casseroles. So if you run a restaurant, fast food or any other catering establishment serving chicken, this is the equipment for you. Check out why you should invest in heated display cabinets for chicken.
Advantages of using a heated display cabinet in a restaurant with fried chicken
Using a heated cabinet in a chicken outlet has a lot of benefits. Here are some of them:
- The hot holding cabinet for chicken keeps dishes ready to be served warm, so that they not only maintain their temperature but also retain their freshness, flavour and appearance.
- Fried wings or other bone-in items stored in the display cabinet have a chance to optimally stabilise the juices.
- The breaded chicken can be stored in the display cabinet without loss of quality for up to almost an hour!
- Using the heated cabinet allows meals to be prepared in advance, which speeds up serving and facilitates better organisation of the delivery
- The finished chicken dishes displayed in the cabinet look great. Thanks to the glass design, they are visible, eye-catching and make an excellent advertising feature for the dishes on the menu.
If not a heated cabinet, a heating counter, then what…?
Despite the fact that heated cabinets are energy-efficient, functional and do not need to be located under the cooker hood, some restaurateurs wonder, is there any alternative to a heated cabinet? Depending on the type of dish, you can choose a bain-marie or heating lamps.
A bain-marie will keep food such as soups, steamed vegetables, sautéed meat and other one-pot dishes warm. However, if you are looking for a heating device for dishes that are crispy, such as fries or breaded chicken, then heating lamps will certainly work just fine. Unfortunately, products can only be placed under the lamp for no more than 10 minutes.
Heated cabinet for fries, pizza and chicken
What should you keep in mind when using the heated display cabinet?
- Refill the water – otherwise the food will dry out.
- Use the grids – remember not to place dishes directly on the tray on the counter.
- The display cabinet cannot be used for cooking or toasting.
- Clean the cabinet – made of stainless steel, the heated display cabinet does not absorb dirt, making hygiene maintenance very easy and convenient.
