subject: Discover The World Of Plate Warmers [print this page] Plate warmers are an innovative way to warm dinner plates while the meal is being cooked. Some of the first modern warmers were made in Brooklyn, New York during the early 1950s. These early warmers were made with a type of heating wire that was wrapped in asbestos, making them unsafe by the safety standards in place today.
There are two basic types of warmers. One has an electric core that heats up. It has a thermostat that controls the heat and keeps the plates at the perfect temperature until the food is ready to be served. The other is made to be used in the microwave.
Within the group of electric plate warmers, there are two different styles. The simplest style is made from material. It is a long rectangle that folds four or five times. The rectangle folds back and forth over four or five plates. This style can warm up to 12 or 15 plates, depending on the number of folds. Up to three plates can be placed inside of each fold.
The advantage to this type of warmer is that the edges of the plates remain cool, making it easy to handle them when serving the food. The disadvantage to this style is that it takes a minimum of 20 minutes to heat four plates, and the time increases with the number of plates to be heated. Another disadvantage is that some materials that are used must be dry cleaned, making it expensive to keep the warmer clean. It is possible to find some that are made with washable material. They come in a variety of patterns and colours.
Plate warmers are convenient to use when the oven is in full use or is too hot to put plates in. You can use them with the finest china without worrying about grazing it. There is nothing nicer than being able to serve hot food on nice warm plates.
Another style of electric warmer is the cabinet warmer. It is made in the shape of a tall, rectangular box with a door on the front, narrow side. It is generally made of chrome. The plates are placed inside on racks. The advantage to these plate warmers is that they can hold up to 120 plates. They are especially convenient for large parties or business meals. These are frequently considered commercial plate warmers.
The other types of warmers that are useful on an everyday basis in homes are the microwave warmers. They can be purchased in sets of three or four and are made of silicone rubber. The pads attract the heat of the microwave and can warm the plates in as little as one minute. They are placed between the plates, making it possible to warm up to four plates at one time. They are easy to clean and they are dishwasher safe. The centre of the plates is warmed, but the outer rims remain cold. There is no need to use potholders to transfer the plates to the table.
The advantages of using plate warmers make them a worthwhile purchase. Those you serve will enjoy having their food stay warm for a longer period of time.
