A food warmer is typically a table-top device used to maintain the serving temperature of prepared food. It is used both in homes and restaurants.
When used domestically, such as with fondue, a food warmer may simply be a small vessel containing food upon a trivet which contains a heat source such as a flame or electric element.
Some food cookers can then, in essence, become food warmers as they use a reduced heat to maintain a serving temperature.[1] Electric rice cookers do this automatically. A multicooker is an electric kitchen appliance for automated cooking using a timer. In addition to cooking programs, a multicooker may have functions to keep food warm.[1]
Some electric-powered personal-sized food coolers have a setting that serves to warm food inside of the cooler.[2] These are typically marketed as cooler/warmers.[2]
Commercial food warmers are used in restaurants as well as outdoor food carts.
In restaurants and hotels they may operate the same way, but on a larger scale. Buffets commonly use large, stainless steel containers with a sterno fuel source. Restaurants also use steam tables to keep multiple vessels warm at once. These have a large, shallow body of water that is kept at a certain temperature with pans of food placed on top, typically rectangle stainless steel.[3] East Asia in particular uses steam tables in restaurants, and notably, portable ones to keep bamboo steamers containing dim sum dishes hot.
A flameless ration heater is a flameless chemical heater used to heat some types of Meal, Ready-to-Eat entrees.
This is a list of food warmers. Some may also serve as cookers.