Anyone use as Hostess/Buffet Server/Hotplate type thing?

Triker

Hi all, does anyone have or used any of these types of food warmers, if so can you tell me your thoughts whether its worth getting one.

Are they just another gadget or do they really useful by keeping food warm for a few hours?

Can anyone advise please?

I only want a table top type one, not a trolley, don't have the room unfortunately.

ChocClare

I`ve got a hostess trolley and it is very useful for big family gatherings such as Christmas or even when you have people round, for keeping things warm; warming up the plates, the wine (DH sticks it on top), keeping things like gravy and bread sauce hot without cooking them etc. My mum uses all the pyrex dishes in the top for vegetables etc. as that way you can bring everything to the table in one go and it`s all still piping hot. When not in use mine is usually used as somewhere to hide stuff that I haven`t washed up :rolleyes:

I would never have paid full price for one - I think mine was about £20 in the free ads about ten years ago.

I haven`t seen a table top one - do you mean like a hotplate that you put on the table or sideboard? Because I have taken a leaf out of Indian restaurants` book in the past by getting a metal tray, sticking a couple of tea lights on top, topping with a wire cooling rack and then a baking tray on top, and keeping things warm on that. It is kind of cheaper....!

greenbee

I can't believe you're looking for more kitchen gadgets

I have a hotplate that only comes out when I'm catering for really large numbers. It's probably as old as I am, and lives on the top of the unit my oven (nearly as old as me) lives in. If you have a tray space (i.e. an odd space in the run of units that wouldn't fit anything more useful in it), then it would probably fit in there.

It is useful, as it means that you can get everything ready, and keep it warm while you're serving it.

My mum has one which will be invaluable this Christmas when she has to cater for 12 people for 3 days...

But if you don't do a lot of entertaining it's probably not worth the effort

Triker

I know, I know re the gadgets, that's why I thought I'd ask before I took the plunge....:rotfl:.
ChocClare, yes, I mean the small ones, you can get a Hostess side buffet thing which has 3 pyrex bowls or metal and you can warm plates in as well.

I think I may just use my slowcooker, mainly thinking of christmas and making my life easier.;)

I have a pot for the slowcooker with 2 sections so I may just use that ....maybe veg in one side, gravy in the other, keep it on the side whilst I get on with other stuff.

I must admit, I've been looking at Hostess trolleys on ebay and wishing we had the room....ahh well.:o

greenbee

Triker wrote: »

I know, I know re the gadgets, that's why I thought I'd ask before I took the plunge....:rotfl:.
ChocClare, yes, I mean the small ones, you can get a Hostess side buffet thing which has 3 pyrex bowls or metal and you can warm plates in as well.

I think I may just use my slowcooker, mainly thinking of christmas and making my life easier.;)

I have a pot for the slowcooker with 2 sections so I may just use that ....maybe veg in one side, gravy in the other, keep it on the side whilst I get on with other stuff.

I must admit, I've been looking at Hostess trolleys on ebay and wishing we had the room....ahh well.:o

As you are trying to declutter and save money, I suggest using your SC as you've mentioned. And make yourself a careful time plan - if you get it right, you won't need to worry too much.

We did Christmas lunch for 6 in my brother's cottage a few years ago. He had a galley kitchen (passageway through a lean-to to the bathroom really), which on one side (only 50cm deep) had a drainer (drawers underneath), sink (cupboard underneath), slimline DW with a 40cm piece of work surface on top, and the narrowest full size cooker he could find. On the back wall there are 6-inch wide shelves up to the ceiling with his pots and pans (some le creuset ), crockery, herbs, spices, dried goods, bread bin, cookery books etc, sieves/colanders/frying pans hang below, and on the floor are baskets/crates for veg/recycling etc.

We still managed to produce everything on time and together - turkey in the main oven, roast potatoes in the top oven, veggies on the hob, and plates went into the bottom oven while the turkey was resting, and the pudding was on the back ring of the hob steaming.

It just takes careful planning... not gadgets

Triker

Greenbee, I agree, it's not the gadgets but I like playing about with them, they're like grown-up toys.....:D

charlies-aunt

ChocClare wrote: »

I`ve got a hostess trolley and it is very useful for big family gatherings such as Christmas or even when you have people round, for keeping things warm; warming up the plates, the wine (DH sticks it on top), keeping things like gravy and bread sauce hot without cooking them etc. My mum uses all the pyrex dishes in the top for vegetables etc. as that way you can bring everything to the table in one go and it`s all still piping hot. When not in use mine is usually used as somewhere to hide stuff that I haven`t washed up :rolleyes:
!

We were lucky enough to be bought a large cabinet style hostess trolley with the pyrex serving dishes as a Xmas present just after we got married - 26 years ago - used frequently - very good if you have lots of people arriving for meals at different times as you can cook up a full dinner - the pyrex dishes are oven proof and so you can cook in them and transfer them straight to the trolley - keep hot without spoiling for hours and people can serve themselves as and when they want...and there is only one lot of washing up to do
Wouldn't be without mine especially for Christmas dinner, family get togethers - highly recommend! :T

greenbee

Triker wrote: »

Greenbee, I agree, it's not the gadgets but I like playing about with them, they're like grown-up toys.....:D

When are you going to be back at work full time? It might stop you getting bored . And you should be resting, not thinking about shopping...

Triker

Thanks Charlies-Aunt, sounds great and very useful. I can't justify the big trolley ones though, there's simple no room.

Greenbee, still on phased return ta....and yes I am resting, looking at all these lovely kitchen doberry's is restful and makes me happy.:p:D

greenbee

Triker wrote: »

Greenbee, still on phased return ta....and yes I am resting, looking at all these lovely kitchen doberry's is restful and makes me happy.:p:D

If you say so... wouldn't you be better off talking to your chickens though I bet their lonely when you spend your time on the PC... And how's the house getting on? Hope you're enjoying being back at work...

Triker

greenbee wrote: »

If you say so... wouldn't you be better off talking to your chickens though I bet their lonely when you spend your time on the PC... And how's the house getting on? Hope you're enjoying being back at work...

I can't talk to my chickens....cos they're asleep, we chat in the daytime...:rotfl:

Erm...house....pass....erm...work....not really, need a new direction/job/life.

Anyway back to subject, Netto have a revolving heated hotplate, buffet thing next week.

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/6f77ab6d#/6f77ab6d/6

Page 7, on sale 7th december, looks good dunnit?