How to Set Up the Table With a Buffet Warming Tray

Keep your freshly cooked foods at that just-out-of-the-oven temperature at your next party or family gathering with a buffet warming tray. Many models are available, and some require using the included serving dishes, while others provide a warming surface you can use for your own crockery. Follow all of the safety and setup instructions in your equipment's manual to get your buffet warming tray up and running, and then work around your warming tray to set the perfect table for your guests. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Press on each edge of your table to test for steadiness. If it rocks, place a small item, such as tightly folded paper, under one leg to prop it up and make the table sturdy. Never place a warmer on a rickety table, as it can cause the hot food or dishes to move unexpectedly, resulting in burns.

2

Set the warmer on your table where you want it to rest for your event. If you are using separate serving and dining tables, place the warming tray at one end of the serving table. If you are placing the tray on the dining table, place it where guests can reach it easily, yet still have room for their place settings.

3

Snip a slit in your tablecloth with scissors, if it's not an expensive cloth, and run the cord under the cloth and out the edge, under the table. For fine dining cloths, run the cord to the edge on top of the cloth, and then cover it with decorative items, such as silk vines or colorful polished stones.

4

Connect the tray's cord to an extension cord underneath the table and tape the connection together with a few wraps of electrical tape. Use a cord rated for your warmer's power. If you aren't sure how to check this, use a power strip with a long cord, as these will turn off if you try to draw too much power through them.

5

Place the extension cord so it hangs out of the way. Tape it to a table leg if necessary. Run it to the nearest outlet, and then place a throw rug over the cord if it crosses any open floor space.

6

Set your cold item serving dishes at least 1 foot away from your warming tray to reduce the risk of heat affecting them. Place neutral items like butter dishes, serving utensils, condiments or flower vases between the hot and cold items.

7

Set your place settings around the serving dishes if your serving and dining tables are combined. For separate buffet tables, stack dishes at the beginning of the serving table so guests can pick them up as they go through the serving line.