Tabletop Steam table

daddywoofdawg · Posted: Mar 16 2010 Post subject: Tabletop Steam table

I just got a tabletop steam table the one that hold a full size hotel pan;My question is how much water do I need to put in(how deep)and I use foil pans(easy clean up)so do I need to put a stainless hotel pan in and then the foil pan?or just go with straight foil pan?
something like this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Food-Warmer-Steam-Table-NEW-Warranty-Adcraft-FW-1200W_W0QQitemZ350326409470QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item519114c8fe
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Geronimo · Posted: Mar 16 2010 Post subject:

I have a couple of those (need a couple more) but there is a "fill line" on the inside...pretty easy to see. Do not fill above that line.

I bought mine from Business Costco for $79.00 each during their quarterly sale this past January.
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daddywoofdawg · Posted: Mar 16 2010 Post subject:

Do I need stainless pans to hold my foil pans or can I just use the foil pans.
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Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
The Dawghouse Custom vertical Gasser
Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle

kingconsulting · Posted: Mar 16 2010 Post subject:

I'm sure you could just use a foil pan but I would worry about it collapsing? We usually use foil pans inside a hotel pan ourselves but we use chaffing fuel so not sure about this one.
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Herman · Posted: Mar 16 2010 Post subject:

foil pans have a bad habit of falling in at the wrong time. I always use steam table pans underneath the foil pans both in the type steam table u have and the chafers with burners.

Herman

Geronimo · Posted: Mar 17 2010 Post subject:

If you don't want to go to the expense of the steel pans, you could just devise something to hold the middle of the disposable pan up to keep it from collapsing.
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Cayman · Newbie Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Posts: 27 Location: Alabama

We normally use a perforated ss pan, and then put the disposable pan in it.

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fireman_pete · Posted: Mar 17 2010 Post subject: Re: Tabletop Steam table

I was I could find something like this that ran off propane....

Pit Boss · Posted: Mar 17 2010 Post subject:

The perf pan is the best idea. With a solid hotel pan you certainly run the risk of not conducting enough heat from the steam bath.
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Uncle Bud's BBQ · Posted: Mar 17 2010 Post subject:

smokin Jim · Posted: Mar 17 2010 Post subject:

You could also double up on the disposable pans and that would make them stronger. I like the aluminum balls also.
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Bluegrass BBQ · Posted: Mar 17 2010 Post subject:

Some good ideas. I have never had a full pan collapse but those half pans wouldn't support them selves. Thank you.
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Geronimo · Posted: Mar 17 2010 Post subject:

Ridge View BBQ · Posted: Mar 17 2010 Post subject:

daddywoofdawg · Posted: Mar 17 2010 Post subject:

I've done the beans one!
_________________
Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
The Dawghouse Custom vertical Gasser
Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle

Ridge View BBQ · Posted: Mar 18 2010 Post subject:

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Mar 18 2010 Post subject:

If you have stainless pans, why don't you just use those and employ a plastic pan-liner to make clean-up easier?
Unless you are getting a super-duper deal on disposables that you can afford to throw out $0.75-$0.90 after each use of them.

As for half-pans, there is a support bar that needs to be used so all 4 edges of the pan are supported. They are fairly cheap and easy to get
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allsmokenofire · Posted: Mar 18 2010 Post subject:

SoEzzy · Posted: Mar 18 2010 Post subject:

Harry Nutczak · Posted: Mar 18 2010 Post subject:

I prefer steel pans, I find it is way less expensive to clean a stainless pan over buying new disposables. Plus I have never had to support the bottom of a steel pan for fear of it buckling on me and losing product to waste.
I have never used pan liners, but I have seen them used successfully by many restaurants.
And if easier clean-up is the only reason for using disposables, I would look to a less expensive alternative, especially in this economy.
Nickels and dimes do matter, although it may not seem like much at the time, those monthy cost reconciliations will show how much it really matters.
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Just remember that the toes you may step on during your climb to the top will also be attached to the a$$es you'll be forced to kiss on your way back down!