Buffets and catered events live or die on temperature and flow. Guests want food that is hot or cold and easy to reach. Staff want equipment that sets up fast, holds safely and packs away. This guide covers the main pieces, how to size them and what to ask before you buy.
One model to look at: our bain marie food warmer.
Chafing Dishes for Events and Pop-Ups
Chafers are the backbone of off-site catering. A full size chafer holds one full size pan, and a half size chafer holds a half pan. Round and marmite style chafers suit soups, sauces and sides. Roll top chafers let guests open and close the lid with one hand, which helps keep heat in. Fuel plates or folding frames hold the heat source under the pan.
Thunder Group SLRCF001 8 qt full size welded chafer
Thunder Group SLRCF0171G 8 qt roll top chafer
Thunder Group SLRCF0825 4 qt half size square chafer
Thunder Group SLRCF8311 11 qt marmite chafer
Buffet Tables for Permanent Lines
Restaurants and hotels with a daily buffet usually need a built-in or freestanding buffet table instead of chafers. Electric and gas buffet tables with sneeze guards hold several pans at once and are easier to keep at temperature for long service.
L&J EBT-48 48 inch electric buffet table with sneeze guard, 3 pan
L&J GBT-60 60 inch gas buffet table with sneeze guard, 4 pan
Hatco GRBW buffet warmer with sneeze guards and lights
Sizing a Buffet
A simple rule is to count the hot items, cold items and desserts on the menu, then plan one pan position per item plus one spare. For a large event, a double-sided line moves guests about twice as fast as a single-sided line. Plan roughly one line for every 100 to 150 guests if you want people served in a reasonable time.
Cold Side
Salads, fruit, dairy and cold proteins must stay at 41F or below under the FDA Food Code. For events, ice beds and chilled pans work for short periods. For daily service, a refrigerated salad bar holds temperature far better.
Hot Side and Time Limits
Hot foods must be held at 135F or above. Heat food fully before it goes into a chafer or buffet well. Chafers are designed to hold, not to cook. Check temperatures every hour or two and write them down. Some operators use time as a control instead, discarding food after a set period, but that method has its own rules. Confirm with your local health department.
Setup and Teardown
Label every pan position. Put plates at the start of the line and utensils at the end. Keep serving utensils in each pan so guests do not cross-contaminate. For catering, pack chafers, fuel, pans and lids together as kits so nothing is forgotten on site.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- Is this for off-site events, a permanent buffet or both?
- How many hot and cold items do I serve?
- How many guests per hour must the line handle?
- Do I have power and gas where the line goes?
- What food shield does my health department expect for self-service?
A Final Check Before the Event
Run a dry setup the day before a large event. Light every fuel can or plug in every unit, and check that each pan reaches temperature. It is far easier to fix a missing frame or a dead outlet in your own kitchen than at the venue.
Next Steps
Browse catering and buffet equipment and steam tables to build your line. Questions? Contact Express KitchQuip and we will help you pick the right size and configuration.
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.
Thunder Group SLRCF001 8 qt, 23-3/8″ x 13-7/8″ x 15-1/2″, Full Size Welded Chafer, Stainless Steel – Set (model SLRCF001)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold per set.
- Thunder Group model SLRCF001.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Thunder Group SLRCF0171G 8 qt, 25-1/4″ x 14-3/4″ x 15-1/2″ Roll Top Chafer, Stainless Steel with Gold Accented Handles – Set (model SLRCF0171G)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold per set.
- Thunder Group model SLRCF0171G.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Thunder Group SLRCF0825 4 qt, 17-3/4″ x 11-3/4″ x 16-1/4″, Half Size Square Deluxe Chafer, Stainless Steel 18-8 – Set (model SLRCF0825)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold per set.
- Thunder Group model SLRCF0825.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Thunder Group SLRCF8311 11 qt, 14-1/2″ x 11-1/8″ x 13-1/4″, Marmite Chafer, Stainless Steel (model SLRCF8311)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold individually.
- Thunder Group model SLRCF8311.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
L&J EBT-48 48″ Electric Buffet Table with Sneeze Guard, 3 Pan (model EBT-48)
- Brand: L&J
- 48″ wide x 38″ deep x 36″ high.
- 3 pan capacity.
- 1 heating element, 3 kW, 14.
L&J GBT-60 60″ Gas Buffet Table with Sneeze Guard, 4 Pan (model GBT-60)
- Brand: L&J
- 60″ wide x 38″ deep x 36″ high.
- 4 pan capacity.
- 1 tubular burner, 20,000 BTU total.
Hatco GRBW Buffet Warmer with Sneeze Guards & Lights – 120V
- Brand: Hatco
- Professional Buffet Warmer with dual infrared heat and sneeze guards for sanitary, high-visibility food holding.
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.