The History and Effectiveness of Bain Marie

A bain marie, or double boiler, is a French term for “a piece of catering equipment used to keep materials warm over a period of time,” which is exactly what the bain marie cabinets do. A type of ‘heated bath’ or piece of equipment that can gradually heat or maintain temperature for food for cooking purposes, it can also be used within a variety of different scenarios unrelated to cooking.

Commercial bain maries are a renowned product within Leading Equipment’s commercial catering equipment range - highly popular and used by a variety of dealers, restaurants and cafes. It provides the ideal choice for busy restaurants needing to either melt ingredients, maintain temperature for their food, or requiring a slower cooking process for a specialised meal.

What is the HISTORY of Bain Maries?

Surprisingly, bain maries were originally intended to be used for the practice of alchemy when alchemists needed to slowly heat materials or chemicals. Mary the Jewess was the original attributed inventor and practitioner of the bain marie, but the earliest model developed from its humble beginnings over time, and eventually became the piece of equipment we see in our commercial kitchens today.

What is the PROCESS?

Our bain marie food warmers and cabinets are constructed as wide, cylindrical containers made of three to four basic parts, and sometimes a base. They cook with a very intricate process, surrounding the food or ingredients with gentle heat (usually used for pastries and desserts) and utilising either wet or dry heat (wet uses hot water, dry uses electric/heating elements). This gentle heat rises very gradually in both containers with the insulation of the water preventing the contents from boiling.

The dry heat versions use less energy, are easier to clean, but rises the bain marie temperature much more rapidly for a faster cook. These units, however, are usually designed to withstand and cook contents at higher temperatures.

What are the FEATURES?

At Leading Catering Equipment, we sell a huge variety of bain marie cabinets and appliances. Our bain maries for sale come fitted within different workbenches, each one constructed from tough stainless steel with gastronorm pans, bain marie trays, drawers, castors and auto defrost functions.

What’s a CHAFING DISH?

Alternatively, you can also consider using a chafing dish instead for your commercial kitchen. Chafing dishes use chafing fuel to heat a pan of water, which heats a pan of food placed above - the water acts as a medium for heat and temperature transfer.

These appliances are usually used for open food displays, especially at buffets and dinners. Chafing dishes are usually much more affordable, convenient and easier to use in comparison to bain maries, however they can’t be used for cooking food or meals, only maintaining temperature and heat.  All chafing dishes feature a frame, water pan and a cover/lid and are basic - so there needs to be a consideration whether an investment in a chafing dish is worth the expense.

At Leading Catering Equipment we sell a huge variety of bain maries, chafing dishes, accessories and bain marie parts. Our appliances come in a range of sizes with a unique set of functions and abilities. Browse our bain marie selection to see some of the best catering equipment available.