Most slow cookers have a low heat or “warm” setting. Choose the lowest setting possible on your model. Slow cookers will continue to cook your food if you set them at the wrong temperature. The downside of using a slow cooker is that you need to have an electrical outlet handy. Make sure you have an open outlet in an out of the way spot. A rice cooker is another option for heating rice-based dishes and other sides.
Small ovens are similar to slow cookers in that they keep food warm at a low temperature. Setting the oven at a higher temperature by mistake will overcook the food. If you are hosting the party at home, you can use your usual oven. Many ovens have a warm feature. If your oven doesn’t have it, just set it to a temperature of around 170 °F (77 °C). Toaster ovens are a good option even if you have a regular oven available. Use them to efficiently reheat or maintain food instead of dealing with a bigger, hotter oven.
Use a thermometer to monitor the grill’s temperature. Heating up the grill too much is an easy mistake to make. When setting food on the grill, make sure you use heat-resistant pans and containers.
If you serve food at lots of parties, chafing dishes are a worthy investment. They are available online or at some party supply stores. An alternative option is to rent them from catering companies. Choose dishes based on what you’re serving. For example, rectangular and oval-shaped dishes are often best for meats or other main courses. Use a round dish or soup dish for liquids. For gas units, you will need a small canister of fuel, available at most party supply stores and general stores. Light the canister with a match or the switch on some chafing dish models.
Some warming trays are completely flat. Instead of putting the food in a compartment, you set the food in a dish on top of the tray. Warming trays are often smaller than chafing dishes, so unless you serve smaller quantities of food, they’re a better option for sides and appetizers like small portions of meat, potatoes, and vegetables than entrees and liquid dishes.
Some heating plates have 2 burners, allowing you to heat up multiple dishes at once. They still don’t offer a lot of space for each dish, so keep that in mind when planning your party. Microwavable hot plates are also available. Heat them in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then set food on top of them.
Thicker layers of foil keep the food warmer for longer. Cover dishes with a few layers of foil to trap in heat.
Heavier, thicker dishes retain more heat but also tend to cook food faster. Use dishes carefully to prevent food from overcooking.
If you leave food in a bottle, consider labeling it so guests know what they’re getting.
Carrying bags come in a variety of sizes. Some are as small as lunchboxes. Others are made to store casserole dishes and even have pouches that provide separate space for cold dishes.
You don’t need the towels to use a cooler. Well-covered food will stay warm, but the towels help trap heat in the food you need to store for up to a few hours. Another option is to wrap bricks in foil. Heat them for 2 hours in an oven set to 300 °F (149 °C). Then, set them on top of the first layer of towels to provide extra heat.
This is a good way to reheat pre-cooked meats. For example, add warm turkey stock to turkey breast and heat it for about 30 minutes. For fish and smaller cuts of meat, you don’t need to add water or stock. Set them in the pan and heat them until fully warmed (about 15 to 20 minutes). Side dishes like vegetable trays and casseroles can be heated in the oven the same way. Leave them in at 350 °F (177 °C) for about 15 minutes.
Side dishes like mashed potatoes are a little trickier to heat up this way. Add milk or broth to bring the food to the consistency you desire, then keep stirring it until it’s hot.
Microwaves heat food unevenly, so you need to monitor the food’s temperature. Heat the food in slow bursts, stirring it each time to help it warm up evenly. Microwave are not a good choice for most meat. They tend to turn meat flabby and gray. They also cannot crisp up food like fries.
Put thick, dishwasher-safe plates in the dishwasher to heat them. Leave clay plates in for up to 2 hours to ready them for the party.
Electric blankets work similarly to heating pads. Plug them into the wall and let them heat up to spread more warmth to your food. Heated gel packs are another option. Warm them up in a microwave according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then place them under plates of food.
