Heated countertop display cases we carry run from about 14 in. wide for a single row of pastries or a few wrapped items, up to about 47 in. for a full grab and go line. Pick the width by the counter space you have and how many items you need on show at the busiest hour, then pick the door layout by whether staff serve from behind or customers help themselves.
Shop the equipment in this article: heated display cases and drop-in hot food wells. Freight is included on every order.
Sizes we carry, by width
These figures come from the product pages. Outside sizes are width by depth by height.
14 in. class
- Migali C-HCT14-S: 13.4 x 19 x 27.3 in., straight glass, front and rear sliding doors. Out of stock at the time of writing.
- Marchia SHCC76: 13.6 in. wide, 19.1 in. deep, 27.3 in. high, 800 W.
22 to 27 in. class
- Marchia HSA50: 21.8 x 14.2 x 14.8 in., straight glass, 110 V, 800 W, under 15 in. tall.
- Marchia HCA45: 21.8 x 14.8 x 14.8 in., curved glass, 110 V, 800 W.
- Migali C-HCT27: 26.6 x 23 x 27 in., rear sliding doors, 76 lbs.
- Migali C-HCT27-S: 27 in. wide with front and rear sliding doors; the page lists the inside at 26.1 x 16.9 x 16.9 in.
- Marchia SHCC96: 26.7 in. wide, 1,000 W.
- Marchia MHC121: 26.7 x 22.8 x 27.5 in., 4.6 cu. ft., 1,100 W, 9.6 A, front slanted glass, 3 shelves.
34 to 36 in. class
- Migali C-HCT34: 33.7 x 23 x 27 in., rear sliding doors, 93.6 lbs.
- Migali C-HCT36-S: 33.5 x 19 x 27.3 in., front and rear sliding doors.
- Marchia SHCC136: 33.7 in. wide, 1,500 W.
- Marchia MHC161: 33.7 x 22.8 x 27.5 in., 5.7 cu. ft., 1,530 W, 13.1 A.
47 to 48 in. class
- Migali C-HCT47: 47.1 x 23 x 27 in., rear sliding doors. Out of stock at the time of writing.
- Migali C-HCT48-S: 46.9 x 19 x 27.3 in., front and rear sliding doors. Out of stock at the time of writing.
- Marchia SHCC186: 47.1 in. wide, 1,800 W.
The Migali and Marchia SHCC and MHC pages all list a temperature range of 86 F to 194 F.
Rear doors or front and rear doors
Rear doors only means staff load and serve from behind the counter, and customers see but cannot reach the food. Front and rear doors let you load from the back and let customers, or a server on the other side, take items from the front. The Migali C-HCT models with an S in the name have front and rear sliding doors; the others in the series have rear doors only.
Plugs and power
Power rises with width. In the Marchia SHCC series the page lists 800 W at 13.6 in. and 1,800 W at 47.1 in. The Migali C-HCT pages we checked list 115 V with a NEMA 5-15P plug, a standard outlet. Check the amperage on the page against the circuit you plan to use, especially if the case shares a circuit with a coffee brewer from our beverage equipment or a toaster.
How to pick the width
- Measure the counter, then leave room at each side for air and for staff to reach the doors.
- Count what you need on show at the busiest time, and how it is packed. Wrapped sandwiches, boxed items and loose pastries take different space.
- Check depth. The C-HCT27 and C-HCT34 are 23 in. deep, while the C-HCT14-S, C-HCT36-S and C-HCT48-S are 19 in. deep.
- Check height. Most of these cases stand about 27 in. tall, while the Marchia HSA50 and HCA45 are under 15 in.
- Decide who takes the food: staff only, or customers too.
Food safety
A heated display case holds food that is already hot. It is not meant to cook or reheat. The FDA Food Code (section 3-501.16, Virginia 12VAC5-421-820) requires hot held time/temperature control for safety food to be kept at 135 F or above, so check product temperatures with a probe thermometer during service. The code also requires food on display to be protected from contamination by packaging, food guards, display cases or other effective means (section 3-306.11, Virginia 12VAC5-421-650), and a closed case does that job for the food inside. Your local health department has the final say on how these rules apply to your counter.
For holding sauces, soups or sides in pans rather than wrapped items on shelves, a countertop bain marie food warmer is often the better tool.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying by width alone and finding the case too deep for the counter.
- Putting food in cold and expecting the case to bring it up to temperature.
- Choosing rear doors only when customers are meant to help themselves.
- Running a large case and a coffee brewer on one circuit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest heated display case you carry?
The 14 in. class: the Migali C-HCT14-S and the Marchia SHCC76, both about 13.5 in. wide.
What temperature do these cases run?
The pages list 86 F to 194 F. Hot food still has to be held at 135 F or above, so set the case to keep the food, not the air, at that temperature.
Do I need a humidity pan?
Some cases include a water pan. Our heated display case buying guide explains when moist heat helps and when it makes crisp food soggy.
What is the return window?
7 days from delivery for powered equipment. Freight to the 48 contiguous states is included in the price, and items from 500 dollars can be financed. For other ways to keep food hot at the counter, see our warming equipment.
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.
Migali C-HCT14-S 14″ Heated Countertop Display Case, Straight Glass, Front & Rear Sliding Doors (model C-HCT14-S)
- Brand: Migali
- 14-inch heated countertop display case with straight glass on the front, sides and top, and front and rear sliding glass doors for loading and serving.
- Dial temperature control holds 86°F, 194°F, with LED interior lighting and a removable water pan for humidity.
- Stainless steel interior and stainless front.
Migali C-HCT27 27″ Heated Countertop Display Case, Straight Glass, Rear Sliding Doors (model C-HCT27)
- Brand: Migali
- 27-inch heated countertop display case with straight glass on the front, sides and top, and rear sliding glass doors for loading and serving.
- Dial temperature control holds 86°F, 194°F, with LED interior lighting and a removable water pan for humidity.
- Stainless steel interior and stainless front.
Migali C-HCT36-S 36″ Heated Countertop Display Case, Straight Glass, Front & Rear Sliding Doors (model C-HCT36-S)
- Brand: Migali
- 36-inch heated countertop display case with straight glass on the front, sides and top, and front and rear sliding glass doors for loading and serving.
- Dial temperature control holds 86°F, 194°F, with LED interior lighting and a removable water pan for humidity.
- Stainless steel interior and stainless front.
Migali C-HCT48-S 48″ Heated Countertop Display Case, Straight Glass, Front & Rear Sliding Doors (model C-HCT48-S)
- Brand: Migali
- 48-inch heated countertop display case with straight glass on the front, sides and top, and front and rear sliding glass doors for loading and serving.
- Dial temperature control holds 86°F, 194°F, with LED interior lighting and a removable water pan for humidity.
- Stainless steel interior and stainless front.
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.