Choose a proofer or holding cabinet by what it has to do (raise dough, hold cooked food hot, or both), how long food stays inside, how many pans you need at your peak, and whether it must fit under a counter. Insulated cabinets hold temperature better through door openings and long holds; non-insulated cabinets are lighter and suit short holds in a warm kitchen.
Shop the equipment in this article: bakery racks, commercial bakery equipment and food warmer and proofer cabinets. Freight is included on every order.
The cabinets named below are the ones we sell, with figures from their product pages.
Proofing and holding are different jobs
- Proofing needs gentle warmth and humidity so dough rises without forming a dry skin.
- Holding needs enough heat to keep cooked food hot. The FDA Food Code requires hot food that needs temperature control to be held at 135 F or above. Your local health department has the final say.
- Many cabinets do both, switching between a warm, humid proof and a hotter, drier hold.
A bakery that also runs catering gets double use out of a combination cabinet: proof in the early morning, hold trays for an event in the afternoon.
The cabinets we carry
- Prepline MPI1836: full size, insulated, holds 36 pans and heats up to 185 F on 120V. It measures 23 x 33.38 x 67.5 inches and weighs 176 lbs.
- Prepline MPN1836: full size holding and proofing cabinet with a clear door, up to 36 pans, up to 185 F and an adjustable humidity range of 30 to 95 percent. It measures 23 x 33.15 x 66.5 inches and weighs 137 lbs. Its page points to the MPI1836 if you want an insulated cabinet.
- Prepline MPN1812: undercounter, half size, non-insulated, 12 pans, up to 185 F on 120V. It is 30.5 inches high and weighs 90 lbs. Check availability on the product page, since stock changes.
All three plug into a standard 120V outlet, and each product page recommends a dedicated circuit.
Insulated or non-insulated
- Insulated: holds temperature through frequent door openings, recovers faster and suits long holds, banquets and transport between rooms. Heavier: the insulated MPI1836 weighs 176 lbs against 137 lbs for the MPN1836.
- Non-insulated: lighter and simpler. It works for short holds in a warm kitchen and for proofing where the room is already warm.
Full size or undercounter
A full size cabinet, about 67 inches tall, takes a stack of 36 pans and suits a bakery, a banquet kitchen or a busy line. An undercounter cabinet at 30.5 inches high fits under a work table and serves one station. Measure the doorways and any low shelf or hood the cabinet has to pass under, and the floor space when the door is open.
Pan capacity and slides
Count the pans you need to hold or proof at your busiest moment, then add room. Check on the product page whether the slides take 18 x 26 inch sheet pans, 12 x 20 inch food pans or both, and whether they adjust for taller items like loaves or roasts. Spacing pans further apart for tall food reduces the real pan count.
Humidity
Proofing works best with added humidity, usually from a water pan or a humidity control. The MPN1836 offers 30 to 95 percent. For holding, some humidity keeps food from drying out; too much makes fried food soggy. Set it by the food, which is common practice.
Moving cabinets
If the cabinet rolls from the kitchen to a banquet room, check that the casters suit your floors and thresholds, that some of them lock, and that the banquet room has an outlet where the cabinet will stand. A loaded full size cabinet is heavy; push it slowly around corners.
Cleaning
- Pull the slides and water pan and wash them regularly.
- Wipe the interior once it has cooled.
- Empty and dry the water pan daily so minerals and odors do not build up.
- Check the door gasket on insulated cabinets.
What goes with it
Bakeries pair proofers with sheet pan racks from our bakery racks, ovens and a mixer from our commercial bakery equipment. Banquet kitchens pair holding cabinets with strip warmers at the pass. See all food warmer and proofer cabinets and heat lamps and strip warmers.
Frequently asked questions
Can one cabinet proof dough and hold hot food?
Yes, if it has the temperature range and humidity control for both. Our three Prepline cabinets heat up to 185 F, and the MPN1836 has a 30 to 95 percent humidity range.
What temperature must a holding cabinet keep food at?
At least 135 F for hot food that needs temperature control, under the Food Code.
Do I need a special outlet?
Our three Prepline cabinets plug into a standard 120V outlet, and each page recommends a dedicated circuit.
Is insulated worth the extra weight?
For long holds, frequent door openings or moving food between rooms, yes. For short holds in a warm kitchen, a non-insulated cabinet is often enough.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
Prepline MPI1836 Full Size Insulated Heater Proofer Cabinet (model MPI1836)
- Brand: Prepline
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
Prepline MPN1836 Full Size Heated Warming Holding Cabinet (model MPN1836)
- Brand: Prepline
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
Prepline MPN1812 Undercounter Half Size Non-Insulated Heater Proofer (model MPN1812)
- Brand: Prepline
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.