What restaurant equipment is necessary for warming food?

Some types of restaurant equipment necessary for warming food include steam tables, hot-food tables, rethermalizers and bulk chip warmers. Countertop warmers also warm food and come in variations such as soup kettles and rice warmers.

A steam table uses heated wells, steam and hot water to ensure foods stay hot. A hot-food table is common with buffets to keep food warm during buffet hours. The tables come in portable and tabletop variations. A rethermalizer is typically used with items such as dried pasta, sauces and packaged meats, and it works as a circulating liquid bath. A bulk chip warmer keeps nachos and tortillas warm in large quantities and helps restaurants serve customers during high-traffic times.