Why are Warming and Chafing Dishes Used?

Author: kelly price

Chafing dishes are large serving dishes generally used with a cover to keep the food warm. In ancient times, a chafing dish was nothing but a portable grate heated equipment with charcoal. Chafing dishes are used for normal gentle cooking away from direct flames. Due to these features chafing dishes were known as charcoal burning braziers or dish of coles.

Warming and chafing dishes are synonymous with buffets and parties. This type of cookware adds to the convenience of food service and its management as it keeps the food hot and ready to eat for many hours. Chafing dishes can be placed on racks or can rest on its legs. These dishes can be made from a variety of materials, and come in many sizes as well. Some are big enough to carry curries which can be served for quite number of people easily, a dozen or so. Mostly semi-liquid food items are kept in chafing dishes but more or less, all types of food items can be used with a chafing dish.

Chafing Dishes and its Accessories

Normally chafing dishes which are used at small parties house a water dish along with it. This water dish is also used as an oven baker. It also has a four legged stand (mostly made of stainless steel), a handle and a lid which can cover the entire circumference of the dish. Better quality chafing dishes come with chrome plating and riveted handles which makes it easier to handle or move the equipment. Some even provide candle holders for convenience.

Buffet chafing dishes come with smooth mirror finish and can also have ornamental designs crafted on them. For curious minds, chafing dishes are manufactured in expensive metals like silver as well. This is more common in grand hotels and parties.

Why are Chafing Dishes Popular at Buffet?

There are many reasons behind it but all of these, point to one aspect – convenience. It keeps food warm for a longer duration and buffets generally see people queuing for food from chafing dishes every now and then. Also, one person needs to stir the food inside for appropriate distribution of heat.

Earlier, chafing dishes were made of copper or brass but now days, stainless steel is used more often for manufacturing this type of food storing equipment.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cooking-tips-articles/why-are-warming-and-chafing-dishes-used-3784232.html
About the Author
Irrespective of you arranging parties or small get-togethers, buying chafing dishes is a good idea as it supplements other cookware accessories. For best chafing dishes online, please check buycookwarenow.com and scroll through its various models.

Also check http://www.stainlesschafingdish.com for more information.