Traditionally, chafing dishes have three standard sizes, and they all have their own different purposes as well.

• Full size chafers - These chafers commonly come in rectangular shape and can hold between 8 and 9 quarts of food. They are typically used for holding and serving main courses.
• Half size chafers - These usually come in square or rectangular shape and can hold between 4 and 5 quarts of food. They are commonly used for holding side dishes and dessert.
• 2/3 size chafers - They typically are either round or square and can hold between 5 and 6 quarts of food. They are mainly used in holding and serving side dishes.

Types of Chafing Dish

There are various types of chafing dishes that come in different shapes and purposes.

• Rectangular Shape - The most common chafing dish style that is primarily used in serving main dishes or large quantities of side dishes. They are perfect when it comes to serving entrees in your buffet line.
• Square Shape - These are best when it comes to serving appetizers and sides and are the perfect complement to rectangle-chafing dishes in your buffet line, as their compactness won’t take up too much space.
• Round Shape - Considered a breakthrough in the typically rectangle or square models that dominate the chafer industry, these round-shaped chafers are great for holding entrees, sides, sauces, and even desserts. Their round shape makes scooping and stirring food a lot easier as well.
• Oval Shape - These egg-shaped designs will automatically add elegance to any buffet line. Oval chafing dishes can be as large as your typical rectangular chafers, which you can still use to enhance your service table’s visual appeal.
• Disposable Chafing Dish - These disposable chafers have all the warming capabilities of standard chafers with the added benefit of being throwable. These are perfect if you’re offering a catering menu or when you’re having an outdoor party or any casual event.
• Drop-in Chafing Dish - These chafers are fixed into countertops or tabletops. Their streamlined presentation makes them perfect for hotels that offer buffets or continental breakfasts. They also require electrical outlets and can be removed easily for cleaning.
• Coffee Chafer - These are pretty popular in buffets, catered events, and even hotels. They are insulated to prevent heat loss, which makes them perfect to hold and dispense hot coffee and water for tea for a long time.
• Soup Chafer - Also known as the marmite chafer, these are commonly used to keep your soups, stews, sauces, and gravies warm. It can also be used to serve oatmeal, grits, and cooked grains.
• Chafer Griddle - These are ideal for cooking and serving multiple kinds of foods, from pancakes, meats, vegetables, and bacon. Chafer Griddle will help streamline your operation while providing a memorable visual experience for guests.
• Induction Chafing Dish - These are designed with the use of induction cookers or warmers to maintain a specific temperature on your unit. Induction cooking only heats your chafer without an open flame, hence eliminating the hazards of burns and fires. These chafers require electricity. 
• Electric Chafing Dish - These chafers are perfect for outdoor events as they are reliable even in windy or damp weather. They are also very ideal for indoor services. Just like their name, they require electricity.

Choosing Your Chafing Dish

Now that you're familiar with the sizes and types of catering dishes, you can now start choosing your chafing dish based on these criteria:

• Price Point - There are three price points for chafing dishes: economy, mid-range, and high end. The more expensive they are, the more durable and decorative your catering dish is. 
• Brands - Buying your chafing dishes from established and reliable brands can save you from a lot of hassle. Here, we’re saving you the hassle, as we’ve listed the top two brands for you:
• Thunder - One of the largest manufacturers and international importers of cookware, dinnerware, drinkware, flatware, kitchenware, storage, and more for foodservice or home use. 
• Winco - Known as a Single-Source Supplier with the widest selection of products, the brand promises to create value by delivering the ideal level of quality and price with uncompromising service.

• Transportation - If you’re hosting various events in different locations, choose a more durable mid-range or high-end chafer that can withstand wear and tear, dents, and scratches. Go for economy chafers if you host private events.
• Storage - Storing bulky chafing dishes can be a challenge, especially if you have limited space. There are chafers with foldable frames if you have limited space. Chafers with stackable frames allow frames to be grouped together for easy and compact storage.

Chafing Dish Finishes

It’s also important to consider the finish of your chafing dishes, as they will give a different look at what’s supposed to be a stale buffet table; just make sure to keep your menu and theme in mind.

• Mirror Polish Finish - These are perfect if you are looking for an attractive, shiny, and reflective appearance. We recommend this finish for fine dining settings.
• Matte Finish - Choosing this will give your concept a modern, industrial look that will help hide any surface imperfections. We recommend this for mid-scale to upscale dining settings.
• Satin Finish -  These chafing dishes are smooth to the touch and are not reflective. We recommend this finish for mid-scale to upscale dining settings.
• Hammered Copper - This finish will give your concept an elegant, vintage look due to its dimpled, hand-hammered copper appearance. We recommend this finish for mid-scale to upscale dining settings.

And there you have it! You have now learned the various chafer sizes, types, and even its finishes. You can now even elevate your buffet and catering services. All you have to do now is stock up on these premium catering dishes right at Charlie’s Fixtures!

Take Advantage of Chafing Dishes

We live in a world where the food industry has become a very competitive space. Solely relying on delicious food might not be enough to retain or invite new patrons. This is why having your own stylish catering dishes just might be the next step you need to increase the appeal of your restaurant.

You can easily get your very own chafing dishes from Charlie’s Fixtures right this very moment! With our first-rate chafing dishes, you are guaranteed to boost the appeal of your catering services. Browse through our wide range of kitchen equipment today!