Buffet server / food warmer

EggNorth

With the big dinner coming up here in Canada (Thanksgiving) I was considering a Buffet server or food warmer (not sure what it is called) to keep the vegetables warm while we eat or wait for the turkey.  I would prefer electric.

Do you have one of these and are they worth it?

Considering this one from Canadian Tire 

Thanks

SGH

@EggNorth‌
Depending on the amount of use you will get out of it overall is what determines if they are worth the money. But as to your general question there is nothing better than steam table/warmers for holding large quantities of food for extended periods of time. That is their intent and purpose. The ability to add a water pan to provide moisture is huge. If you have the money they are the ticket without question or doubt.

RRP

+1 what @SGH says. I know you are in Canada and now time is short, but down here you can buy that kind of equipment rather cheap at SAMs and I'm sure at Costco as well. They will last a lifetime!

Eggcelsior

You can also get catering trays with sterno.

DMW

Eggcelsior said:

You can also get catering trays with sterno.

That's what I use because I don't always have power available or convenient. And they are cheap.

NPHuskerFL

DMW said:

Eggcelsior said:

You can also get catering trays with sterno.

That's what I use because I don't always have power available or convenient. And they are cheap.

Yep, we do the same here. Works great especially for our Super Bowl get together outside watching on the video projector. Even in the brutal FL cold (lol) the food stays toasty warm and fresh.

Canugghead

@EggNorth If you still want to go electric, check this out, not sure if the pots are too small for your need but I like the independent controls and that you can even cook in them. It's too late to get one shipped but may be you can find one in store. 

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.ca/store/product/bella-triple-slow-cooker-buffet-and-serve/1017558838?skuId=17558838

SGH

@EggNorth‌
If money is of no concern, here is what I both use and recommend. If money is a factor, others have offered some cheaper alternatives. Good luck my friend. While the cheaper alternatives will suffice, these bad boys take the work out of it. It's like a BGE vs Weber kettle. Both will work. One just works much more efficient and is user friendly. Same applies to the warmers.

RRP

SGH said:

@EggNorth‌ If money is of no concern, here is what I both use and recommend. If money is a factor, others have offered some cheaper alternatives. Good luck my friend. While the cheaper alternatives will suffice, these bad boys take the work out of it. It's like a BGE vs Weber kettle. Both will work. One just works much more efficient and is user friendly. Same applies to the warmers.

WOWSER! Guess I better retract my previous throw in with you! Those are not what I meant - I was back with the sterno heated ones with inexpensive stands and pans. If you don't want any clean up issues they even sell HD disposable aluminum pans!

Eggcelsior

I guess SGH runs a catering business/restaurant. Why would anyone need those for personal use? I might use that once every 2 years.

SGH

I don't run anything. I use to cook a little though.

Little Steven

I have three of them. There sort of like crock pots with three sections. When I do a giant Indian cook I'll use all of them.

SGH

@‌Little Steven
I still use mine when I cook for fundraisers when turning out several hundred pounds of meat. It's a real lifesaver for such as this.

EggNorth

Thanks everyone, some great suggestions.  Have to get back to posting more, probably this weekends turkey.

SGH

@EggNorth‌
Will be standing by for the turkey.

Little Steven

Are you egging the bird?

EggNorth

Little Steven said:

Are you egging the bird?

Yes - trying the recipe from AmazingRibs.com - will be using some cherry wood chunks, will see how it comes out.

Little Steven

I went to no frillsand got a $26.00 turkey at $0.79 per pound.was going to fry it but I'm planning on an egged ballotine on the egg now. I got a ten pounder and I'm figuring a dark meat ballotine for that.

caliking

Little Steven said:

I have three of them. There sort of like crock pots with three sections. When I do a giant Indian cook I'll use all of them.

Now I'm scared. Why do you cook giant Indians?

Plus one for the sterno setup. I used several stands to feed about 50 people in August and the food was piping hot.

Tips - 2 stereos per stand. Full pan goes in. Fill with about an inch of hot water. Fill the pans before lighting the sternos because they can burn holes in the pans quickly. Set pans of food in the water trays. Don't fill too much water otherwise the food trays float and water sloshed around the table. Check on the water periodically because it will evaporate.

Cambros are good at keeping food warm too, but cost more.

Little Steven

They are rare but occasionally you find one. I like them grilled but most would rather curry them.