Peanut butter and jelly, Thelma and Louise, rock and roll — these are some of the most perfectly matched duos in history. That said, this list is not complete without the addition of drawers and warmers (or drawer warmers). Combining the convenience of a handy drawer with the holding power of a warmer, drawer warmers are a must-have for foodservice operators today. But how exactly are foodservice professionals incorporating this equipment type into their operations? Let’s take a look at four common use cases for the much-acclaimed, all-popular drawer warmer.
1. To-go stations
Given the appetite consumers have for to-go, it’s no surprise that foodservice professionals are working hard to make their to-go offerings the best they can be. To do this, many operations are dedicating entire areas within or outside of their establishments to a to-go station. These to-go stations include everything from prep counters to packaging and cutlery supplies, food product, customer pick-up stations and (you guessed it) drawer warmers.
Like all hot holding solutions, drawer warmers keep foods at hot-n-safe temperatures for longer. But that’s not their only superpower. Equipped with a unique drawer design and a highly controlled heating environment, they do an excellent job preserving the quality of the food they’re holding. But of course, certain drawer warmers do a better job of this than others.
Here’s what to look for to ensure food quality remains tip-top:
- Zoned thermostatic controls so you can hold food in separate drawers at different temperatures and environments.
- Individually insulated drawers to ensure heat doesn’t transfer between drawers and impact ideal holding temperatures in neighboring drawers.
- Touchscreen controls for greater precision and peace of mind that you’re holding food at the exact temperature needed.
- Quality internal construction that positions an aluminized heat baffle atop a metal sheath element for more even heat distribution than units without a heat baffle.
- Water baffles and vents that allow you to add or release humidity to create the perfect environment for moisture-loving foods.
2. Prep lines
Another popular use case for drawer warmers is tucked beneath the counter of a food prep line. Armed with the convenience of a drawer warmer (or two or three), chefs and staff can quickly grab the menu components they need — whether that’s a steaming hot potato, scoop of rice, corn or veggies, fresh nacho chips, a side of tortillas, warm bread, chicken strips or other mouthwatering menu items.
Additionally, drawer warmers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can fit in just about any space or line configuration; this makes them particularly popular for prep lines. From narrow designs to built-in, freestanding, side-by-side, single or multi-drawer units, there’s an option for any prep line out there. That said, it’s not just about fit.
The perfect drawer warmer also goes above and beyond to make daily operations easier in areas such as:
- Food rotation: Ask anyone that’s ever used a drawer warmer, and they’ll agree that the best drawer warmers contain pans that lift straight out of the drawers so staff can remove and refill them faster with fewer spills.
- Safety: Some drawer warmers even come with the option to add color-coded drawer fronts, which operators often use as a safety measure to mark allergenic foods to ensure they don’t end up on the wrong diner’s plate.
- Quality control: When the kitchen is moving and grooving, it’s easy for staff to forget to shut doors and drawers to holding equipment. Drawers with positive-close mechanisms make this a non-issue by ensuring that doors close on their own. Not only does this keep heat loss at bay, but it also saves staff from bruising their limbs on an open drawer.
3. Made-to-order experiences
Personalization has become a critical part of modern-day consumer experiences — and the world of foodservice is no exception. Many diners want to feel like their unique wants, preferences and tastes are being met at each and every dining occasion. As such, more foodservice operations are offering made-to-order menus, running the gamut from build-your-own sandwich bars to fully customizable poke bowl, burger, pasta or sushi offerings. The problem, however, is that made-to-order menus aren’t always easy to execute.
Enter: drawer warmers. We’ve seen operators get incredibly creative with the ways they leverage drawer warmers to give customers that made-to-order experience without the backbreaking work that often goes into it. Take wing night for example. Operators have been known to precook wings, hold them in a drawer warmer, and then use all the different sauce choices as an easy way to layer on an element of customization. Or think about a fajita bar; this can play out in a similar way. Stash peppers and onions in one drawer, chicken and beef in half-size pans in another, and finally warm tortillas in a third drawer. Then, when the customer customizes their veggie, meat and tortilla preferences, they can get even more personalization by adding their own toppings from a self-serve bar.
4. Rough and tough locations
Foodservice operations aren’t exactly the most delicate of places. As a result, most operations opt for commercial equipment that can hold up to roughest and toughest of kitchen environments. But naturally, some equipment types are better suited for the kitchen trenches than others.
Drawer warmers are one such equipment type. In general, they do very well in grease-laden environments and can usually withstand the impact of a runaway cart, speed-walking staff member or flying pot. But again, some drawer warmers are tougher than others. And this comes down to a few key design features, including:
- Nylon-roller drawer slides instead of ball bearings to prevent grease build-up.
- Small, 12-gauge stainless steel drawer slides versus larger flimsy steel alternatives for long-lasting durability (just remember: the smaller the gauge, the thicker the steel).
- Heavy-duty chrome handles that are angled to deflect cart traffic.
- Recessed control panels to protect knobs from damage.
- Rugged stainless-steel construction to hold up to the high-traffic areas and the all-to-frequent collisions.
A match like no other.
Combining the convenience of a handy drawer plus a powerful warmer, drawer warmers are a favorite among operators everywhere. And while to-go stations, prep lines, made-to-order counters, and rough and tough environments are all popular use cases for a drawer warmer, there are plenty of other ways to incorporate them into your operation. Work them into any staging area, use them for back- and front-of-house applications, add castors and wheel them to a pop-up location, and more — the opportunities are endless.
Ready to learn more about drawer warmers? Find out how they are benefiting operations just like yours.
