How to keep party food warm without chafing dishes or sterno trays?

[Anonymous]

I have trays of food (chicken Alfredo and mac-and-cheese) that I need to keep warm and accessible during a party. I don’t have any special equipment like chafing dishes or trays with sterno. Does anyone know a hack using the stovetop, or have any other ideas? I do have a slow-cooker and a rice cooker, but it would be great not to have to worry about repeatedly refilling them if there’s a way to keep the entire tray warm. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Oven?

[Anonymous]

Slow cooker.

[Anonymous]

What is preventing you from getting some trays with stereo? You can get them at the supermarket pretty easily.

[Anonymous]

Electric warming tray

[Anonymous]

Party City sells an inexpensive disposable chafing dish set up:
https://www.partycity.com/chafing-dish-buffet-set-8pc-271575.html?linkcategory=tableware-serving-chafing-dishes&cgid=chafing-dishes-aluminum-pans&start=16

[Anonymous]

For how long?

Serve them in pre-warmed vessels in a heat retaining material, e.g. a pyrex or cast iron pan that you have either warmed the food in or warmed in the oven/with hot water before you serve.

Cover the food with foil or a lid.

Keep the warm pans close together on your table, out of drafts. In a pinch, you could also wrap towels or other insulating material around the body of the pan, but that's not so pretty for serving.

I would think that would keep your food warm for 30-45 minutes or so.

[Anonymous]

take them out of the oven, wrap in towels and put them in coolers, but them out and serve at once.