The key function of heat lamps is simple. However, there are plenty of options to choose from and picking the best option for your kitchen requires some consideration. 

Depending on whether you want a balance of heat and light, or only want reliable heating, you’ll need to choose between quartz and infrared lights. Quartz lighting is the option to choose if you need both illumination and heat, though they don’t generate as much warmth as infrared options. They’re a good choice for kitchens that need heating at front of house or in the kitchen itself. Quartz lighting often has more visually appealing options, including pendant lights. 

Infrared lamps, also referred to as convection lamps, offer lower light levels but are more energy efficient and heat your food more efficiently and directly rather than heating the air around it. They’re the perfect choice if you’re trying to keep energy bills down and already have adequate lighting in your food storage area. 

The next consideration is whether you want pull-down lamps or mounted lamps. Pull-down lamps, as the name suggests, can be moved easily and put back into place when you’re not using them. They offer both heating and light, making them perfect for merchandising to display your stock. These are especially beneficial for food trucks, along with options like countertop hot food displays. They’re a convenient option but generally offer less heat than mounted lamps. 

If your kitchen needs something that offers more reliable and far reaching heat, mounted lamps are a better option. They not only deliver more power and heat but they’re also often slightly larger. 

Regardless of whether you choose a pull-down heat lamp or a mounted model, you’ll be able to choose from quartz or infrared. For high-capacity food warming capabilities, you may also want to consider hot food displays or bain maries. 

The energy consumption of your heat lamps will depend on the wattage, whether you choose quartz or infrared heating and how much you’re using them. Wattage is one of the key things to look at when choosing a model, with higher wattage models requiring more power to run, either by generating light and heat or heat alone. 

Infrared light heat lamps operate by generating light on a non-visible spectrum, which is transferred into the atmosphere as heat. This penetrates your food more deeply, ensuring it’s warm on the inside as well as on the surface. Their heat is instantaneous, warming your food as soon as you switch them on. They’re the most energy-efficient option, though they generally offer less illumination. 

Traditional heat lamps also heat the air around the food but offer more light. They generally take longer to heat up, meaning they’ll consume slightly higher volumes of electricity and will need to be switched on in advance. Brands like Roband offer both traditional and infrared heat lamps to suit your preferences.

To ensure even heat distribution, we recommend keeping your heat lamp around 35cm to 45cm above your food. Each heat lamp will come with specific guidelines, we recommend checking the instructions for the unique model you’ve chosen.