Chafing dishes are handy kitchen serve-wares for the ones who like hosting dinners at home for a larger crowd.
These buffet-like utensils keep the food warm for a long time. Since all the products seem alike, it becomes difficult to identify the best chafing dish among all.
You can find different styles and sizes in the chafing dishes. Also, these are either fuel-powered or electric-powered.
In this review, we will give you the best recommendations on the niche and help you make an informed decision about the product that matches your needs.
In this post:
- What To Check Before Buying the Best Chafing Dishes?
- 9 Best Chafing Dishes of 2023 Reviewed
- 1. Best Overall: Tiger Chef 4 Quartz
- 2. Best Inexpensive: Sterno 70153
- 3. Smallest: Cuisinart 7BSR-28
- 4. Largest: Elite Gourmet EWM-9933
- 5. Best Round: Nucu Artisan 8508A
- 6. Best Electric: Proctor Silex 34300
- 7. Best Commercial: Alpha Living 70014
- 8. Best with Collapsible Legs: Tiger Chef
- 9. NSF Certified: Tiger Chef C-3080B-A
- Conclusion
What To Check Before Buying the Best Chafing Dishes?
1. Capacity
The chafing dishes are available in different sizes and capacities. The decision about the capacity solely depends on your need and intended usage.
If you like to host dinners for a lot of people, make sure to pick a chafing dish with a larger capacity. However, if you want it for smaller gatherings, then a small chafing dish will serve your needs.
The capacity can be anywhere between 3 – 12 quartz. A standard chafing dish in 8-quartz capacity serves 6 – 8 people at a time. If your requirement relates to this capacity, then go with the Sterno 70153 as it has a suitable size to serve a medium-sized gathering.
2. Number of Trays
You must have seen that the number of trays varies with each product. Basically, these are the sub-dishes, inside the big tray, where you can put the food for heating.
There are models with a single tray, and some of them have 3 trays as well. In a single tray chafing dish, you won’t be able to serve multiple food items. However, if there are partitions, you can easily put different food items in one dish without mixing them.
A 3-tray chafing dish is considered a better option because it gives you a lot of flexibility to serve different food items without using different chafing dishes.
The Tiger Chef C-3080B-A is a 3-tray chafing dish with an 8-quartz capacity. This will be extremely useful in serving multiple dishes at once.
3. Material
Most of the chafing dishes are made of stainless-steel material. It is low maintenance and distributes heat evenly throughout the dish. Also, it has a long-lasting performance.
The Cuisinart 7BSR-28 is the best stainless-steel chafing dish as it is made with superior quality 18/10 stainless steel and has polish on the top to make it look incredible and last longer.
4. Heat Source
Technically, there are two heat sources for chafing dishes: electric or fuel.
The electric chafers work on electricity. They have a temperature control knob that increases or decreases the temperature according to your requirement. You can also set the desired temperature, and the chafer will maintain it to serve you the food of your needs.
If you want to buy the best electric chafing dish, then go with the Proctor-Silex 34300 that gives you adjustable and consistent performance.
The fuel-powered chafing dish uses slow-burning fuels, including methanol, ethanol, or diethylene glycol. You can use these fuels indoors as well, without worrying about possible accidents due to less ventilation.
On a commercial level, fuel chafing dishes are preferred because they are handy and do not have a mesh of wires, restricting people’s movement.
You just have to place the fuel in its dedicated place and burn it for keeping the food warm. On average, a fuel-powdered chafing dish can keep food warm for 4 – 5 hours.
5. Shape
You will find chafing dishes available in two different shapes, round or rectangle. Both shapes and designs have great allure.
However, the round chafing dishes mostly have a single tray. On the other hand, the rectangle dish can accommodate up to 3 trays as well.
The choice of shape completely depends on your taste. The working mechanism of both the shapes is similar. However, there could be a difference in capacity. The round chafing dish has less capacity than a rectangle dish.
If you want to buy a fancy round chafing dish, go with the Nucu Artisan 8508A. It has a beautiful round shape with a glass lid.
6. Extra Features
There are some extra features you should keep in focus while making a purchase. This includes transportation, storage, and washing of the dish. You should buy a product with collapsible components so that you can store it conveniently. One of the best examples is the Tiger Chef as it comes with collapsible legs.
For convenient carrying, make sure there are ergonomic handles. This gives comfort and safety as well.
Lastly, it will be best if the product is dishwasher-safe. It will relieve you from manually cleaning these dishes. Most of the chafing dishes are dishwasher-friendly.
9 Best Chafing Dishes of 2023 Reviewed
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Tiger Chef 4 Quartz (Best Overall) |
|
 | 2. Sterno 70153 (Best Inexpensive) |
|
 | 3. Cuisinart 7BSR-28 (Smallest) |
|
 | 4. Elite Gourmet EWM-9933 (Largest) |
|
 | 5. Nucu Artisan 8508A (Best Round) |
|
 | 6. Proctor Silex 34300 (Best Electric) |
|
 | 7. Alpha Living 70014 (Best Commercial) |
|
 | 8. Tiger Chef (With Collapsible Legs) |
|
 | 9. Tiger Chef C-3080B-A (NSF Certified) |
|
1. Best Overall: Tiger Chef 4 Quartz
Photo: Tiger Chef
- Number of Trays: 1
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimension: 12.2 x 10 x 9 inches
The Tiger Chef 4 Quartz is the best overall product made with the strongest stainless-steel quality and golden accents to give it a rich look. Other than that, this model is low maintenance because of the polished steel. It does not corrode or rust, even after years of usage.
The 6.82-pounds lightweight chafing dish comes with an ergonomic handle. It is highly portable and easy to transport as the handles will ensure your comfort.
The golden handle gives a regal feeling to the users. This model has the most unique and classic design. It is dishwasher-safe, so you won’t have to go through the manual cleaning hassle. Also, it is quite easy to set up.
The kit includes 1 x half-size water pan, 1 x half-size food pan, a gold-accented chafer stand, lid with handle, 2 x fuel holders with covers, and 2 fuel gel cans.
The drawback of this model is that it is not suitable for large gatherings due to 4-quartz size. However, the quality and looks of the product make it a high-selling option for intimate dinners.
Pros:
- Extremely durable and gorgeous looking
- Easy to transport
- Dishwasher-compatible
- Easy to set up
Cons:
- Not suitable for large gatherings
2. Best Inexpensive: Sterno 70153
Photo: Sterno
- Number of Trays: 2
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimension: 23.13 x 14.63 x 5.63 inches
The Sterno 70153 is the best cheap chafing dish as it is available at the most affordable price, without compromising the quality of the product.
This model is made of high-quality stainless steel. It is perfect for use at home. The 8-quartz capacity will gladly serve 5 – 8 people at one time.
It has a superior design to look beautiful in your house settings. There are 2 trays where you can keep 2 different dishes. The 4-inches deep pans are suitable for serving food in bulk.
You can transport this chafing dish conveniently as it weighs merely 10-pounds. Also, you will find it easy to store due to the foldable frame.
The set includes a fuel holder tray, 4-inches deep-pan, 2-inches deep food pans, and a fuel holder tray. The only drawback is that this product is not dishwasher-safe.
Pros:
- Most affordable
- Suitable for medium-sized gatherings
- Suitable for serving 2 dishes
- Easy to store
Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
3. Smallest: Cuisinart 7BSR-28
Photo: Cuisinart
- Number of Trays: 1
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimension: 7 x 13.5 x 13.25 inches
The Cuisinart 7BSR-28 is the best small chafing dish with overall size of 7 x 13.5 x 13.25-inches. It is easy to transport and store. It merely weighs a pound and has brilliant features.
The construction is done with 18/10 stainless steel and ensures high durability. Also, the performance of this model is incredible. There is an aluminum bottom for even heat distribution.
The design of this model is very impressive. It has a polished exterior and a glass lid. It can also serve as a casserole that you can take out of the oven and place on the table. The two tea light candles provide constant warmth to the food.
The drawback of this model is the small size of the candles that do not light up for a lot of time. This means that the chafer won’t stay warm for a long time as the fuel quits within 2 hours.
Pros:
- Compact tabletop chafer
- Impressive looks
- Serves as a casserole
Cons:
- Small fuel capacity
4. Largest: Elite Gourmet EWM-9933
Photo: Elite Gourmet
- Number of Trays: 3
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimension: 26 x 15 x 6 inches
The Elite Gourmet EWM-9933 has a large 26 x 15 x 6 inches size and 3 trays to serve different kinds of food at one time. Also, there are dedicated dome lids with all the trays to give them separate access.
This is an electric-powered model and comes with adjustable temperature control at 200-watts. The 7.5-quartz pan has a decent capacity and will serve more than 6 people at one time. You can use this pan to serve combination dishes and set temperature from low to high with a turn of a knob.
Each tray is made of stainless-steel material with a non-stick enamel coating. There is a power indicator light and cool-touch silicone handles to promote comfortable and ergonomic grip.
Unfortunately, the exterior is not scratch-resistant. You might have to handle it carefully to keep it scratch-free.
Pros:
- Large size
- Ergonomic silicone handles
- Individual lids
- Various temperature settings
Cons:
- Material is not scratch resistant
5. Best Round: Nucu Artisan 8508A
Photo: Nucu Artisan
- Number of Trays: 1
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimension: 12.5 x 12.5 x 11 inches
If you are fond of round chafer, then go with the Nucu Artisan 8508A. This model has got beautiful looks and serve to your needs completely.
This is an affordable product and made with highly promising stainless-steel material. It is durable and does not lose its performance for many years.
You can simply put your heat source in the fuel holder and allow it to maintain proper food temperature for many hours.
The looks are also incredible. This model has got 4-quartz capacity to serve dinner for 2 – 3 people. It is suitable for personal meal dates. The glass lid gives a see-through to the food inside.
This is an incredible product, but you will have to wash it manually. This model is not dishwasher-safe.
Pros:
- Beautiful round design
- High on performance
- Durable
- Maintain food temperature
Cons:
- Not dishwasher-safe
6. Best Electric: Proctor Silex 34300
Photo: Proctor Silex
- Number of Trays: 3
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimension: 15.71 x 25.16 x 5.71 inches
The search for the best electric chafing dish concludes with the Proctor-Silex 34300. This is a perfect electric chafer with adjustable and consistent heat performance.
You get three temperature controls, including low, medium, and high. With a turning knob, you can select the desired temperature and allow the food to stay warm for you.
You get 3 x 2.2-quartz pans with covers. You can serve a variety of dishes on this chafer. Even the tray food safe, and you can use it to serve hot snacks to the guests.
Moreover, other than the stainless-steel trays, you can also use your own utensils to take the best benefit from this model. It is a highly suitable product but does not come with a warranty.
Pros:
- Adjustable and consistent heating
- Easy to use
- Highly compatible
Cons:
- No warranty
7. Best Commercial: Alpha Living 70014
Photo: Alpha Living
- Number of Trays: 3
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimension: 15.71 x 25.16 x 5.71 inches
If you have commercial needs, then the Alpha Living 70014 will treat them right. The product comes in a set of 4. It has a high 8-quartz capacity. These chafers will be able to serve food in bulk.
It is made of stainless-steel material. You will find this product to last for many years to come. The classic design impresses every buyer.
This is a packable design. You can easily stack the chafer into one another and store them conveniently anywhere. The pack weighs 9-pounds, and the chafers are easy to transport.
This is an amazing product, but the edges are too sharp. They might cause an accident. You should keep it out of children’s reach.
Pros:
- Suitable for commercial use
- High capacity
- Classic design
- Very lightweight
Cons:
- Sharp edges might cause accident
8. Best with Collapsible Legs: Tiger Chef
Photo: Tiger Chef
- Number of Trays: 6
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimension: 15.75 x 23.62 x 23.62 inches
The Tiger Chef does not give you hard time in storage due to the collapsible legs. This model is easy to assemble and store after usage. It helps you save 50% of the kitchen space.
It can be a perfect purchase if you are planning a party for a large group. This product comes in a set of 3 chafers with 2 individual trays in each chafer. This gives you the versatility to serve as many dishes as you like.
The stainless-steel construction is quite promising. Moreover, it has mirror satin finish to give a glossy look and prevent damages on the product.
The pack includes 3 full size water pans, 3 full size food pans, 3 dome covers, 3 collapsible folding frame stands, and 6 fuel holders. Also, the product is dishwasher-safe.
What you may not like in this model is the high cost as it is very expensive.
Pros:
- Easy to store
- Dishwasher safe
- Durable construction
- Comes with satin finish
Cons:
- Expensive
9. NSF Certified: Tiger Chef C-3080B-A
Photo: Tiger Chef
- Number of Trays: 3
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimension: 23.5 x 14.25 x 13.5 inches
The Tiger Chef C-3080B-A is an NSF certified chafing dish on the list. It is known for its performance and durability.
The product is constructed with high-grade stainless-steel that ensures its longevity. This model will not corrode, rust, or oxidize, even after constant usage. Also, the satin finish gives it a glossy look for more appeal.
There are 3 partitions in the tray that allow you to serve multiple food items of your choice. To increase its performance, you get 2 fuel holders with covers.
Other than that, this model is dishwasher-safe and very convenient in usage. One thing that might disappoint some users is that this model is not suitable for serving acidic food.
Pros:
- Comes with NSF certification
- Dishwasher-safe
- High performance
Cons:
- Not suitable for acidic food
Conclusion
In this chafing dish review, we have tried giving you the best recommendations on the niche. These dishes are made of solid and highly dependable stainless-steel material.
The Tiger Chef 4 Quartz is the best overall product with the exceptional golden accents and exceptional performance. This chafing dish can be used for premium parties and gatherings.
If you are looking for a set of chafing dishes, then go with the Alpha Living 70014. You get a set of 4 dishes with this purchase. This product is suitable for commercial use.