An insulated holding cabinet has insulation in its walls and door, so it loses less heat, holds a steadier temperature when the door opens often, and stays cooler to the touch outside. A non-insulated cabinet is lighter and usually costs less, and works well in a warm kitchen for shorter holding times or proofing. If the cabinet will hold hot food for long stretches, travel to events, or sit in a cool room, choose insulated.
Shop the equipment in this article: commercial bakery equipment, warmer and proofer cabinets and heated display cases. Freight is included on every order.
Heated holding cabinets (also called warming cabinets, or heater proofers when they add humidity) keep cooked food hot between cooking and serving, and proof dough when set lower with humidity. This guide compares the two builds, using two Prepline cabinets we carry as an example, since they share almost every spec except insulation.
Two cabinets side by side
The Prepline MPI1836 is insulated. The MPN1836 page points buyers who want an insulated cabinet to the MPI1836. Both are full size, mobile, clear door cabinets:
- Capacity: up to 36 pans of 18 x 26 inches on both.
- Heat: up to 185 F on both, with forced air heat.
- Humidity: 30 to 95 percent on both, with a water pan and drip pan.
- Controls: outside the door with a removable control drawer and LED thermometer on both.
- Casters: 5 inch, two with brakes, on both.
- Power: 120 V on both; the MPI1836 lists 1,500 W and 14 A with a NEMA 5-15P plug.
- Size: MPI1836 23 W x 33.38 D x 67.5 H inches, 176 lb. MPN1836 23 W x 33.15 D x 66.5 H inches, 137 lb.
The 39 lb difference is mostly the insulation. Both are NSF.
What insulation does
Insulation slows heat loss through the walls and door. In practice that means (as a general rule for insulated cabinets):
- Steadier temperature when the door opens during service, because the walls are not losing heat at the same time.
- Faster recovery after loading cold pans or opening the door.
- Less energy used to hold the set temperature.
- Cooler outside panels, which matters where staff brush past the cabinet.
- Longer holding with the power off, which helps when moving the cabinet to a banquet room or a catering site.
Where a non-insulated cabinet makes sense
- Proofing dough in a warm bakery, where the set temperature is close to room temperature anyway.
- Short holding on a busy line where food turns over quickly.
- Kitchens where weight and price matter more than efficiency.
- Places where the cabinet stays plugged in and does not travel.
Holding temperature and time
Hot food must be held at 135 F or above under the Food Code (12VAC5-421-820 in Virginia’s adoption). A cabinet that reaches 185 F has room to hold above that, but food quality drops with long holding: crisp food softens and moist food dries. Use the humidity control to match the food: lower for fried and crisp items, higher for meats, rice and vegetables. The Food Code also asks that the temperature sensor in hot holding units read the coolest part of the cabinet (12VAC5-421-1320), so check food in the lower and door-side positions with a probe.
Proofing
Both cabinets proof as well as hold. For a bakery or a pizza shop proofing dough, the humidity range matters more than insulation. See more proofing and baking options in our commercial bakery equipment selection.
Choosing
- Banquets, catering, long holds, cool rooms: insulated.
- Proofing in a warm bakery, short holds, tight budget: non-insulated works.
- Not sure: insulated costs more at the start but handles more jobs.
Browse all warmer and proofer cabinets, compare with heated display cases for front-of-house holding, or see steam tables for holding in water-heated wells.
Ordering from Express KitchQuip
Freight with liftgate delivery to the 48 contiguous states is included in the price. Both Prepline cabinets are powered equipment with a 7 day return window from delivery, carry a 1 year parts and labor warranty, and qualify for lease-to-own financing (available on items from 500 dollars). Their pages recommend a dedicated circuit.
Frequently asked questions
Can a holding cabinet cook food?
No. It holds cooked food hot or proofs dough. Food must be cooked to the right temperature first.
Do I need humidity in a holding cabinet?
For most moist foods, yes; it keeps food from drying out. For crisp foods, run it low or off.
How many pans fit in a full size cabinet?
Both Prepline full size cabinets above hold up to 36 sheet pans of 18 x 26 inches.
Does an insulated cabinet need a special outlet?
The MPI1836 plugs into a standard 120 V outlet (NEMA 5-15P); its page says a dedicated circuit is best.
Your local health department has the final say on hot holding.
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.