What's the one thing that virtually every restaurant and food service establishment serve? Coffee. It's one of the most popular and consumed beverages in the world. But serving great-tasting coffee is both an art and a science.
Coffee warmers can help ensure that your customers always receive a cup of fresh, hot coffee when they order from your establishment.
If you've yet to invest in a coffee warmer, you may be wondering if you need one, what the benefits are, and which model to choose.
Who Needs Coffee Warmers?
Do you serve coffee, or do you have a self-service food station? Then you need a coffee warmer.
Although it's primarily enjoyed in the morning, it's not uncommon for guests to order coffee in the late afternoon or after dinner. With a coffee warmer, you can ensure that your guests are served this hot beverage at just the right temperature and without having to wait.
Coffee warmers are ideal for:
- Diners
- CafГ©s
- Bakeries
- Coffee shops
- Restaurants
- Ice cream shops
- Food trucks
Any establishment that serves coffee can benefit from adding a warmer or multiple warmers to their kitchens.
The Benefits of Adding Coffee Warmers to Your Restaurant
Why buy a coffee warmer for your restaurant? There are many benefits to adding this simple piece of equipment to your kitchen.
Delight Your Customers
Coffee warmers keep your coffee at just the right temperature, allowing guests to enjoy their beverage when it's hot and fresh. Adding a coffee mug warmer to your restaurant kitchen means that your servers always have a hot pot of coffee on hand for customers.
Upgrade Your Self-Service Stations
Do you have a self-serve station at your restaurant? Maybe you have a breakfast or dessert bar. Adding warmers to these stations will give customers easy access to the most popular beverage in the world: coffee.
Coffee warmers are both affordable and compact, so they can easily fit on just about any tabletop or countertop space. They're easy for customers to access, and most units offer independent controls to keep unused burners cool and safe.
Make it Easy for Staff to Serve Coffee
Whether you serve a lot of coffee or just a pot a day, a coffee warmer will make it easier for your staff to serve customers wanting this beverage. Multiple warmers allow you to brew multiple pots at once without sacrificing quality. Servers can simply grab the decanter and go.
These warmers will keep your coffee hot for an extended period of time, so you can brew a pot at any time and keep it fresh for customers throughout the day.
Coffee Warmer Buying Guide
Coffee warmers are simple devices with minimal features. They only have one purpose: to keep your coffee decanter warm.
But there are still some things that you want to consider when choosing one for your restaurant:
- Volume: How much coffee do you serve on a daily basis? If you serve a lot of coffee or you offer more than one type of coffee, you may want a unit that has two burners. If you don't receive many coffee-drinking customers, then a single burner model may be ideal.
- Materials: Stainless steel construction will ensure durability and easy maintenance. Look for models that have either ceramic coated or porcelain warmer plates. These materials are easy to clean and will ensure even heating.
- Controls: If you're choosing a unit with two burners, make sure that they have independent controls. This allows you to keep one burner off if you're only heating one decanter. Not only will this save you money on electricity, but it will also prevent customers from accidentally burning or injuring themselves on a hot, empty burner.
The Best Coffee Warmer Reviews
We offer a wide range of coffee warmers to meet any foodservice establishment's needs. Some of our most popular and favorite models include:
Winco ECW-2
If you serve high volumes of coffee, the Winco ECW-2 coffee warmer is a great option. This model has two burners, so you can warm two decanters at the same time. With a durable stainless steel design, this warmer is ideal for breakfast bars, cafes, and self-service stations.
For convenience, the ECW-2 has independent switches, so each burner can be operated separately. Electric operation means that these burners can keep your decanters warm for hours, and the ceramic coated plates keep your decanters at just the right temperature.
The ECW-2 is affordable, easy to clean, and simple to use, which makes it easier for your employees to use and maintain the unit.
Winco ECW-2S
The Winco ECW-2S is similar to the ECW-2, but it offers a more compact, space-saving design. These two-tiered coffee mug warmers won't take up much space on your counters, and the stainless steel construction means that your burners will give you years of use with proper care. The ceramic coated plates keep your coffee at just the right temperature and are easy to keep clean.
Like the previous unit on our list, this model also offers independent switches for each burner. If you only need to warm one decanter, you can simply turn one burner on and leave the other one-off. This is safer for your customers and will also save you money on electricity costs.
The ECW-2S is great for cafes, bakeries, hotel breakfast bars, and diners.
Adcraft WP-2
The Adcraft WP-2 is a coffee pot warmer that's lightweight and will keep your coffee warm for an extended period of time.
This unit has two porcelain warmers that keep decanters securely in place. The stainless steel construction adds durability while also making it easy to clean the unit. Each warmer has an independent control, so you can warm one or both decanters at once.
Winco ECW-1
The Winco ECW-1 is a compact coffee warmer plate designed for one decanter. Like other models from Winco, this unit has a stainless steel design and ceramic coated plates. The stainless steel construction makes this warmer easy to clean and maintain. It also resists corrosion and rust.
Because of its small size, the ECW-1 is easy to transport and store. It can fit on any countertop or tabletop, which makes it a great option for food trucks, small cafes, and diners.
The Bottom Line
Coffee warmers allow restaurants, cafes, and self-service food stations to provide customers with hot, fresh coffee at any time of day. They keep coffee warm for hours, and they're convenient for both your staff and your customers.
Make sure that you consider your volume, countertop space, and materials when choosing a coffee warmer for your restaurant. This will ensure that you select the ideal unit for your needs.