If you are researching commercial steam tables, you’ll realize there are a variety of options and variations that you need to consider. It can be easier to find what you need if you narrow the field of options down first so that you get the right steam table to meet your needs. Here are a few ways to easily narrow down your search.
First, it is important to consider the application as steam tables can be used in the front of the house for serving lines or the back of the house for meal assembly. Do you want a mobile unit for warming foods that can be easily relocated from one place to another? Or, are you interested in a stationary commercial steam table or a drop-in unit that is part of a permanently installed countertop and serving line? Each of these different types of steam tables have a variety of features and options so that they are appropriate for your application.
In many restaurant applications, a steam table with two to four wells is common although you can find models with as few as a single well and as many as six. One of the major factors in determining the number of wells you want is the amount of space you have for your steam table. While more wells allow more variety of food or higher volume of food, they also require more dedicated space within the layout. This is particularly important in fixed applications where the countertop is custom built to accommodate the drop in wells which usually require additional clearance beyond the size of the drop-ins themselves. Before buying , it is important to check manufacturer recommendations and installation requirements to ensure compatibility with your design.
Another important consideration is the required utility. Steam tables are available in both gas and electric, although electric is most common. Gas steamtables are powered by natural gas or propane so they can be mobile with the use of propane tanks. Electric steam tables typically plug and play which makes them great for mobile applications although it’s important to that the appropriate utility is available where ever you want to use the equipment.
Cook’s offers a wide variety of portable steam tables and stationary steam tables from top manufacturers including Duke Manufacturing, Food Warming Equipment, Vollrath and more.
