Chafing dishes are large serving dishes that keep food warm with fuel cans placed underneath. They come in various sizes and materials, including stainless steel and silver. Chafing dishes have a long history and are convenient for hosting buffets or parties.
Anyone who has ever hosted a dinner buffet or had a caterer come to their home to serve a hot meal is probably familiar with chafing dishes. They are large serving dishes in which the food is kept warm. Pots are placed atop shelves or platforms or sit on legs high enough that a fuel can can be placed underneath. The can has a lid that lifts off to expose a substance that looks like wax but is actually alcohol jelly. The fuel is ignited and placed under the pan to keep the food warm.
Wear plates come in a variety of sizes and materials. The types most often seen at home buffets or casual affairs are long and rectangular. They are usually made of stainless steel and contain a long, deep well to hold foods. This long pan is placed inside a tray with 1″-2″ of water covering the bottom to prevent the food from burning. The dishes are placed on racks that sit on top of the fuel cans.
A fancier affair might call for round, ornately decorated chafing dishes. These are usually made of silver and, instead of grilles, sit on a platform with tapering legs. These are typically more aesthetically pleasing than those provided by the occasional caterer.
Chafing dishes are convenient because the food is kept warm and the party host or hostess can mingle with the guests without having to worry about food on the stove or in the oven. Occasionally, someone will need to quickly stir the food inside the pans to distribute the heat evenly, but burning is rarely a problem.
Believe it or not, these serving dishes are steeped in history and the ancient ones were found in the ruins of Pompeii. These early water heaters relied on hot coals to keep food warm as the other alternative, a crackling flame, would have been too much. They were usually made of brass or copper.
People who are interested in hosting a buffet and want to keep food warm often find that chafing dishes are the way to go. In many cases, the food may be cooked early in the day and placed on plates just before guests arrive. When people are ready to eat, the food will be hot. Even people who aren’t frequent entertainers can find value in having these serving platters in their homes.
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