Which chaffers to buy?

H

HBMTN

is One Chatty Farker

Joined

Oct 16, 2008

Messages

2,008

Reaction score

753

Points

0

Location

Virginia

• Mar 4, 2010

• #1

For start up? I don't want to buy crap but don't want to spend a fortune either. Should I go with the black handles or a gold trim? How are the ones from Sams Club? Or better suggestions, I was going to buy 6 of them.

Thanks

Ruben

 

The Pigman

is Blowin Smoke!

Joined

Apr 10, 2007

Messages

1,978

Reaction score

363

Points

0

Location

Cincinnati Ohio

• Mar 4, 2010

• #2

Depending on how much you want to spend.... That ones at resturant depot for $31.00 work as good as the ones for $200.00 and if you were to ask the 100 people that just went through that food line if they had gold or black handles they couldnt tell you because they were looking at the food.

 

S

smokeshowin

Guest

• Mar 4, 2010

• #3

We switched over to electric food warmers. Much better and easier to work with. They are also availible with LP heat.
Resturant Depot usually has for around $100.00 without pans.

http://www.restaurantsbyclick.com/rd/html/mar10_florida2/index.htm

This month's flyer has them at $99.95

 

H

HBMTN

is One Chatty Farker

Joined

Oct 16, 2008

Messages

2,008

Reaction score

753

Points

0

Location

Virginia

• Mar 4, 2010

• #4

Take this for instance, is this a great deal or a total piece of crap? http://www.equippers.com/shop/product-detail.aspx?ret=1&pcid=14&scid=10120&pid=21018

 

Capn Kev

is one Smokin' Farker

Joined

Dec 8, 2009

Messages

614

Reaction score

187

Points

0

Location

Littleton, CO

• Mar 4, 2010

• #5

I have the ones from Sam's...with the gold trim. I like them, and they work well for my needs. I think I paid around $60 or so for each 8 qt. unit.

 

Ford

is One Chatty Farker

Joined

Apr 14, 2007

Messages

2,106

Reaction score

630

Points

0

Location

Lakeland Florida

• Mar 4, 2010

• #6

HogBack Mtn Comp BBQ Team said:

Take this for instance, is this a great deal or a total piece of crap? http://www.equippers.com/shop/product-detail.aspx?ret=1&pcid=14&scid=10120&pid=21018

Click to expand...

I have 2 of these and 2 I paid about $75 for. The big difference is that the fuel is a little higher it seems and it's a little harder to slide the cans in and out. And the more expensive unit has swing covers for the fuel holders.

Unless there's a specific request for fancy chaffers I'd say these are a good deal and will last for you.

 

grillfella

is one Smokin' Farker

Joined

Feb 13, 2007

Messages

800

Reaction score

35

Points

0

Age

50

Location

Best BBQ in south whittier los angeles

• Mar 6, 2010

• #7

A lot of it depends on what you are catering. Some of the expensive warmers hold more food and are easier to deal with ie the roll top chaffer is real nice, but $200 plus ia a little out of my budget. I would like to upgrade but not sure if it is worth it

 

southernsmoker

is one Smokin' Farker

Joined

Apr 14, 2008

Messages

940

Reaction score

1,644

Points

0

Location

NS, Canada

• Mar 8, 2010

• #8

I use this unit, expensive but worth it's weight in gold..

http://www.thebbqguru.com/products/Caldera-Three-Bay-Caterer.html

 

J

Jerk Pit Master

Guest

• Mar 8, 2010

• #9

I've use the Polar brand Sam's used to carry and the Triam... they carry now. They all work find and hold up well, but I really wish I could have afforded roll top chafers, because the lids always become a pain.

The other key think to consider is how they stack for transportation and storage.

 

big brother smoke

somebody shut me the fark up.

Joined

May 3, 2006

Messages

10,998

Reaction score

3,518

Points

0

Age

57

Location

Ventura, CA

• Mar 8, 2010

• #10

I personally hate the black handles, but, I do 50% weddings and prefer the all stainless steel look; even over the gold trim.

If you get the black handles and need to spruce them up, you can always tie nice napkins around the handles based on the customer's color scheme. Tablescapes mod!

 

Gowan

is One Chatty Farker

Joined

Aug 8, 2007

Messages

2,252

Reaction score

1,780

Points

0

Location

Cartersville, GA

• Mar 8, 2010

• #11

Good points raised above. Bottom line is how they look matters if you are doing weddings or other "teacup" gigs. If you are the chow line at the plant, all that counts is functionality.

One thought is that you can rent chafers and other fancy serving gear from a party rental store and roll that cost into the price to the customer. This might be your best bet starting up as you can spend a ton of cash on bling.

 

L

LostNation

Full Fledged Farker

Joined

Dec 15, 2005

Messages

394

Reaction score

65

Points

0

Age

67

Location

Essex Jct. Vermont

• Mar 9, 2010

• #12

big brother smoke said:

I personally hate the black handles, but, I do 50% weddings and prefer the all stainless steel look; even over the gold trim.

If you get the black handles and need to spruce them up, you can always tie nice napkins around the handles based on the customer's color scheme. Tablescapes mod!

Click to expand...

I also have these and hate the black handles. I went to Lowe's and bought nickle cabinet handles and changed them. The ones I bought have 3 3/4" centers for the holes. They now look great.

BMS I really apriciate your table scapes.

 

H

HBMTN

is One Chatty Farker

Joined

Oct 16, 2008

Messages

2,008

Reaction score

753

Points

0

Location

Virginia

• Mar 10, 2010

• #13

I ordered six of the chaffers in my link above. Got them in today. I think they will be nice for start up, they are made very thin and cheapish but taken care of I should be good. At $26 a piece instead of $75 it sure does help, especially after all of the $$$$.$$'s I have put out getting started. I hope to get a final inspection with in two weeks!!!