EWM-6171 Triple 3 x 2.5 Qt. Trays, Buffet Server, Food Warmer Temperature Control, Clear Slotted Lids, Perfect for Parties, Entertaining & Holidays, 7.5 Qt Total, Stainless Steel

I’ve relied on this Elite Gourmet buffet server in my own home for a while now, so when my sister needed a reliable way to handle food for her church volunteering, sending her this exact model was a calculated technical win. The 300 watts of power provided by this unit is the real engine behind its success, maintaining a consistent heat that cheaper warmers simply can't match across a full 7.5-quart capacity. It’s a versatile piece of equipment that functions as both a three-tray server and a standalone warming base, which is crucial when you're managing multiple hors d'oeuvres or different-sized dishes in a fast-paced environment like a social function. My sister’s experience with it mirrored my own—it is efficient, easy to transport with the carry handles, and the three separate temperature settings allow for the precision needed to keep delicate dishes from drying out while keeping heavier items hot. One minor drawback to watch for is the slotted lids; while they are perfect for keeping utensils in place, they can allow heat to escape faster than solid lids if the server is used outdoors or in a drafty hall. My professional tip is to drape a clean, heavy linen over the lids between servings to lock that moisture and heat in, ensuring the last guest's plate is just as fresh as the first. This experience.

We host quite a few large gatherings each year and have been trying to focus a bit more on food safety. No issues so far but we're trying to make sure that at many hour long events, food isn't sitting there growing bacteria and potentially causing an issue. This buffet server is perfect for home use. The trays are the perfect size for moderate (15-40) sized parties. I can actually fill them so they look decent with 1-2 recipes of something. Huge catering trays that are mostly empty look weird. This is just the right size. You do need to fill all 3 trays but I have never had trouble doing that. It has 3 lids that have a serving spoon cut out. I have used this quite a few times already and it's just plug it in and forget it. No burning issues and food stays hot enough to stay out of that food safety danger zone where bacteria can start growing. It's fairly large so I store it on top of a refrigerator in my basement but it's fairly lightweight so it is easy to get up there.

Just what you need when your large family gets together for large events. If you don’t have one, you probably should. They’re so easy to use, so easy to clean, keeps the food nice and warm, they’re really really cool.

I found a chaffing set at dollar tree but Amazon wouldn't allow me to return this item. My only complaint is that if you have large portions to serve this wouldn't work or you would need multiple sets. Also the covers are plastic not glass but other than that it worked great. Food stayed warm and looked professional.

Having read the reviews, I was prepared for this to be a little flimsy. I knew the pans would be thin - too thin to use in the oven. I knew the lids would be delicate plastic and that the tray-holder would be flexible and sharp (yet I still cut myself). I even expected the warming tray base might not sit flat, but mine did. For the price & the functionality, this was fine with me, and I was pleased with it when it arrived. It looked nice and was stable enough. It's made for home use, not restaurants. I plugged it in to test before unpacking everything, and it warmed up great. I notice some reviewers of warming trays are upset about smoking & burnt electronic smell when 1st turned on, but I also read in one of the manuals during my research that this is common briefly when 1st turned on, as a coating on the electronics burns off. This unit didn't smoke or smell, though. I cleaned everything as per the instructions and then set it aside for a couple of days until my party when I used just the warming tray base. I placed mini quiches on it to keep warm, and it worked really well. It barely got dirty. That night I cleaned it again as per instructions - soapy sponge, then wet sponge to remove the soap, then dry. I put it away, and when I pulled it out a week later it had surface rust spots. They're evenly distributed across the whole top surface where the food goes, not in a pattern from the food. I'm guessing the towel I used to dry it left some moisture that I didn't notice. I tried rubbing them off with a dry cloth. I tried with a damp cloth. Nothing worked. I uploaded a picture. This product is supposed to be stainless steel, but if it gets rust spots from a minor amount of moisture left on it, then it's very low quality or there was a manufacturing issue. I emailed the manufacturer twice (the second time with a photo), but they haven't replied. Amazon customer service helped me, though, even though I no longer have the box. A+ to Amazon & F for the manufacturer. I'm really disappointed about this because otherwise I really liked it. Again, not a high-quality durable product, but attractive and functional if it's not going to get hard use. It was perfect for my needs. But with the rust spots I can't place food on it again, and I wouldn't want the rusty surface to show. If you want to be able to place food directly on the warming tray, as I did (as the instructions indicate and the product images show), then don't get this unit. It may be a good (if less functional) choice if you don't need to place food directly on the warming tray. In that case, don't even clean the warming tray - maybe a light wipe down & carefully dry it thoroughly. I didn't use the pans, but they seemed to like they'd be stable enough. But be really careful when cleaning. I noticed that the stainless is incredibly easy to scratch, even with a soft sponge or cloth. (Again, cheap) I'll be shopping for a new one. UPDATE: A manufacturer rep got back to me and said that their warranty doesn't cover cosmetic issues like this. I'd say it's not simply a cosmetic issue when a food surface rusts. I told her I'd find one from a manufacturer whose "stainless" doesn't rust.

Great for keeping food warm for any type of events. The cord length is ok, I usually use an extension cord to reach outlet since I use it on table in middle of kitchen. If the warming trays are used on island of kitchen that has outlets, it works great. Keeps the food warm, temperature control knob is for all 3 trays at once. It has the domed lids with hole for serving spoon makes easy to have everything ready. Does not have storage rack for the lids like some other models.

*** Why I need these *** I purchased two of these 3-container, 7.5 quart electric buffet warmers. We often host holiday dinners, and these allow me to get a lot of the meal ready before they arrive. *** Electric vs. steam *** I had previously been using steam chafing dishes. They held the same amount of food, but they were a giant PITA. IMO, these electric Elite Gourmet warmers are far superior for the following reasons. => Steam versions use cans of expensive liquid/gel fuel, which only last two hours. With these, as long as you have electricity, you’re good to go. => Steam versions don’t have individual lids. Guests had to pick up a giant stainless-steel lid, and spill a half cup of water that had no doubt collected under the lid. This electric warmer not only has individual lids, but they’re see-though. They even have a little cut-out so you can leave the serving utensil in the container. => This Elite Gourmet setup is smaller and easier to store. I was careful to keep the original box(es) that these came in, and I took pictures while unpacking. Now, when we’re done, I pack everything exactly as it was. These take up less than half the space my steam decks used. => These electric warmers can be used with or without the included containers. Or you could use one or two, and add your own. Or you can use just the warming plate with a giant disposable aluminum foil baking pan. These are much more versatile. *** Why I chose Elite Gourmet *** There are a few manufacturers that make this style of buffet warmer, and based on Amazon reviews, none are perfect. The metal is thin, the lids are relatively fragile, and the cord is short. So I looked at cost, and the little differences where Elite Gourmet beat the others. => The lids. The Elite Gourmet lids have actual handles, whereas some others have no real handles, just recesses in the molded plastic where you can pinch the lids to lift. => These are 300 watts, vs others with only 200 watts. That means these can get hotter than the others. Food needs to stay at 140 F to be safe, and although I didn’t test the actual temperature of food in these, it does seem to stay hot. => The frame that holds the containers on the hot plate is riveted instead of spot-welded. It looks better, and I believe it will last longer. *** Bottom Line *** At this time, I think these Elite Gourmet triple tray buffet servers are the best deal out there. There’s no liquid fuel to buy, no water dripping everywhere, and you can use the hot plate part of it with or without any number of the included pans. You can see what’s in the pan with the lid on, and leave the serving utensil in the pan with the lid on. I hope this helps.

I bought two of these to serve our Thanksgiving buffet. I am very pleased with the quality and functionality of this product. It kept the food at perfect temperature while waiting for the guest's arrival. I was able to cook my entire dinner the day before and simply reheat everything for the buffet. Easy to put together and fits easily back in the box for storage. I will never go back to sterno chafing dishes.