Are you considering a proofer or heated cabinet for your foodservice operation? Holding cabinets are designed to keep cooked food at safe temperatures so that it is ready to serve and proofing cabinets are designed to proof bread or hold dough as it undergoes the final rise. You can even find cabinets that are designed as heater proofer cabinets. Heated cabinets can also be insulated or non-insulated, and the majority come with casters for mobility. Whether you’re in the market for a heated holding cabinet or a non-insulated full size holding cabinet, here are some questions you should answer before you select your next cart.
1. Do you need aluminum or stainless steel? Aluminum is typically a more economical cabinet option, where a stainless steel cabinet will be longer lasting in rougher environments.
2. Do you need to hold steamtable pans, sheet pans or both? When looking at specification sheets or other literature, a cabinet that lists capacity for 18” x 26” pans is designed to hold sheet pans. A cabinet that lists capacity for both 18” x 26” or 12” x 20” x 2-1/2”d pans is designed to hold both sheet pans and steam table or hotel pans. The variation is in the spacing of the pan slides on the side of the cabinet.
3. Do you need to proof in the cabinet? Cabinets can be heated holding only, proofing only or heater proofer cabinets that can do both. You may consider purchasing one cabinet to do two functions rather than two cabinets.
4. Do you need a correctional package to protect the controls? Depending on the manufacturer of the cabinet, various security options are available on heated and holding cabinets as well as proofers.
5. Do you spray the cabinet when cleaning or wash by hand? While this question may seem odd, it’s important in deciding where the controls and heater are located. If you spray the cabinet when cleaning, a top mounted heater is a better option to offer some protection to the controls and heater from water.
6. How many doors are required? Single door, Dutch doors, pass through options with doors on the front and back are all available. Be sure to look at the options that will best suit your needs.
7. Will the cabinet be used in locations other than the kitchen? While most cabinets come on casters, you may need a more robust caster if you will be transporting your cabinet out of doors or over rough terrain. You may also need to ensure that you have a transport latch to ensure doors stay closed when the cabinet is being moved.
We offer a wide variety of heated and holding cabinets including several NSF certified heated and holding cabinets from top brands like Cres Cor heated cabinets, Food Warming Equipment heated cabinets and Metro heated cabinets.
