How to Buy Steam Tables

Whether you are running a buffet restaurant, supervising an institutional lunchroom or catering events, a steam table will be one of your most important investments in food service equipment. Steam tables have come a long way from the school cafeteria monsters of the past. Today's models are sharp looking and full-featured. They're also expensive, so scout out the best bargains on the steam table menu.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Get a handle on your usage. All steam tables perform essentially the same function: they keep prepared hot foods hot and available for self service or hosted presentation to a crowd. Your food service setting—hospital, school, buffet restaurant, mobile catering service—will determine important considerations such as capacity (most have bays for two to five pans), portability and desired features. Jot down your steam table needs and wants before exploring the bewildering options.
2. Choose from the basic menu. Steam tables need a power source to maintain the temperature of the hot-water bath or steam cabinet that keeps the food hot. You can choose an electric steam table or a gas steam table, and further refine the gas choice between natural gas and liquid propane. Factor in utility costs in your area, along with needs for portability (electric and propane-powered steam tables being easier to move than those connected to natural gas lines) when budgeting your purchase.
3. Buy from a restaurant supplies dealer like Steamtable World, The WEBstaurant store or Chef's Choice Foodservice Equipment. They carry steam tables from the full array of top manufacturers—Delford, Duke, Eagle, Vollrath—at costs well below list price. If you're just starting up and your equipment budget is tight, consider used and reconditioned steam tables; look for listings at DealTime.
4. Customize with features. You can find steam tables with legs that adjust to various heights, as well as models with casters for moving. For convenience, look for removable tops and sealed elements for easy cleaning, under-table shelving or cabinets for storage, individual controls for keeping a variety of foods at optimum temperature, attached cutting boards for buffet carving stations and sneeze guards for protection from contamination. Remember that adding optional features also adds to cost, so keep to what you really need.
5. Buy steam table pans when you purchase your steam table. Most online restaurant supply dealers carry a full line of pans, too. Stainless steel pans are the industry standard, but you can find souped-up models that feature anti-jamming lugs to keep pans from sticking together when stacked and built-in finger slots for easy removal from the table. Newer plastic and polycarbonate food service pans are better for cold foods, but some plastics can be used with steam tables at low heat settings.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to choose steam table pans that fit the specifications of your selected model. Steam table manufacturers provide their own pan lines, but you can mix and match if the sizes are correct.
• Take your steam table presentation to the next level with tips from "Arranging Food Beautifully: Tray and Steam Table Art" by Susan E. Mitchell (Wiley, 1999). Steam tables don't have to say mystery meat and gray scrambled eggs any more.