While designed specifically for pies, pie warmers can be used for a wide variety of foods. They’re ideal for keeping everything from pastries and sausage rolls to dim sims and quiches at the perfect temperature for your customers. 

They’re a versatile option for any cafe or restaurant, with variable temperature settings that enable you to customise how you store your food. 

As with choosing any kitchen appliance, the size you need will depend on both your space availability and how much stock you want to have on display. Factor in the space you have either on the shop floor, counter or in the kitchen itself and calculate how much stock you’ll want to carry at any given time. 

Pie warmers come in sizes ranging from a capacity of around 25 pies to options with space for 200 or more. 

The optimal temperature for your cooked pies will depend on the size and type of the pie you’ve prepared, along with the model of food display you’ve chosen. The manufacturer booklet included with your pie warmer will give you more information regarding temperature guidelines. 

As a general rule, keeping your pies at 60℃ to 65℃ is advisable to ensure their quality but also maintain good health and safety. Check them regularly to ensure they’re sufficiently warm throughout. 

There are a number of factors to consider when you’re looking for the best pie warmer for your establishment. The first thing you’ll want to account for is how much space you need. 

Pie warmers are available in various capacities, ranging from small countertop models that can hold 25 pies, up to large models that can hold 200 or more. Consider both your stock requirements and also the footprint of the model you’re looking at to ensure you have adequate room for it in your kitchen, shop floor or counter. 

If you have a broad menu and a bigger range of pie options or a fast turnover, a larger size may be a better choice. For cafes and restaurants with more limited space or lower turnover, you may want a smaller size to ensure your stock is fresh. 

The next consideration when you’re choosing the best model for your kitchen or storefront is the construction material. Depending on where you want to keep your pie warmer, the door material is especially important. If you’re choosing a model to keep in the kitchen, a stainless steel construction may be ideal as it insulates your food especially well. By contrast, a glass door is likely a better choice for displaying your baked goods on the shop floor. Depending on your shop floor setup, you may want to opt for a hinged or sliding door to suit the space you have. 

Budget is another factor, with the size, brand and design impacting the cost of individual models. At Restaurant Equipment Online, we have a broad range of options, from smaller models starting at $510 to large options of $4800 or more. 

Finally, you’ll also want to factor in any additional features you may want. High-quality models will often have useful capabilities and functionality that helps to promote sales while also maintaining the quality of your food. Things like LED lighting to showcase your stock, removable trays for easier maintenance and humidity control to prevent your pies from drying out are all worth looking for. 

The best way to clean your pie warmer will vary slightly depending on the model you have selected. At the end of each day, remove any remaining stock before you begin the cleaning process. 

Next, take out the crumb tray and empty the contents into the bin. You’ll also want to remove the trays that hold your pies, either washing them manually with hot, soapy water or putting them in the dishwasher for more thorough cleaning and sanitisation. 

To keep the display clean and of a high standard for your customers, we also recommend cleaning and wiping down the doors and interior of your pie warmer. Ensure you remove any soap residue with a cloth so as not to compromise the quality of your fresh stock of pies after cleaning. 

Modern pie warmers are designed with energy efficiency in mind, ensuring they use less power to run, which in turn helps keep your power bills down. They typically feature insulation to retain heat and have low-wattage heaters. To keep your energy consumption down, ensure that you close the door fully to maintain a steady internal temperature. 

Depending on the type of pie you’re warming and what it’s made from, to ensure the quality and food safety is maintained, typically, two to four hours is the maximum. 

Bear in mind that pie warmers are designed to maintain the pie’s temperature, not to cook it. We recommend preparing your pies in either a convection or speed oven first. Your pies should be ready to eat before you put them in the warmer, as they’ll take a long time to defrost and get up to the necessary temperature otherwise. 

If you’re unsure, the manufacturer guidelines for the pie warmer you have will often give you more information, or you can contact our customer support team at REO for more specific information and guidance. 

When using a pie warmer, to ensure you’re maintaining optimal food health and safety, ensure your pie warmer is at the designated temperature before transferring your cooked pies into the display. To maintain their quality, avoid putting additional aluminium trays into the pie warmer itself. The pies should rest on the racks themselves. 

For safety features of the pie warmer itself, look for adjustable feet that have sturdy traction. This is especially important for countertop models to prevent them from moving or slipping during use.