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Hi there, I'm Jarvis! I see you're looking at the Commercial Bain Marie with Tap | Wet Heat Bain Marie | No Pans Included | Buffalo. How can I help you with the technical specs or suitability for your business today?

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Buffalo In Stock

Commercial Bain Marie with Tap | Wet Heat Bain Marie | No Pans Included | Buffalo

SKU: FT694
£279.86 / exc vat
£335.83/ inc vat
  • Wet Heat Operation
  • Front-Mounted Drain Tap
  • Stainless Steel Construction
  • User-Friendly Dial Control

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Features Overview Specifications Case Study Reviews Installation Buying Guide FAQ

Product Overview

Here we have a proper kitchen essential, the Buffalo Commercial Wet Heat Bain Marie. It’s been designed for one simple job: to keep your hot food at the perfect serving temperature without any fuss. Using a gentle water bath (that’s the 'wet heat' part), it stops everything from soups and  sauces to beans and  gravy from drying out or sticking to the pan, which is a common headache with lesser models.

This countertop bain marie is a brilliant bit of kit for anyone in the food game – we’re talking carveries, hotel breakfast buffets, mobile catering vans, and  bustling cafés. Its straightforward dial controls and  tough stainless steel construction mean it’s built to handle the daily grind. Plus, the handy drain tap makes cleaning up at the end of a long shift an absolute doddle. No more lugging heavy pans of hot water to the sink!

Ultimately, this is about serving consistently great food. It gives you the confidence that the last plate of the day will be just as delicious as the first. This is a dependable, no-nonsense workhorse that will quickly become one of the most-used items in your kitchen. It's a key tool for any professional setup looking for reliable hot holding.

Key Features and  Benefits

  • Wet Heat Operation: This keeps food lovely and  moist, preventing any drying out or skin forming.
  • Front-Mounted Drain Tap: It makes emptying the unit at the end of service quick, safe, and  mess-free.
  • Stainless Steel Construction: Not only is it tough enough for a pro kitchen, it’s also hygienic and  a breeze to wipe down.
  • User-Friendly Dial Control: No complicated menus, just turn the dial to set your ideal holding temperature.
  • Overheat Protection: A clever safety cut-out gives you peace of mind during a busy service.
  • Versatile GN Pan Compatibility: It fits a standard 1/1 GN pan, or smaller pans with divider bars.
  • Improved Operational Lifespan: This unit has been engineered to work harder for longer, saving you money.
  • Environmentally Friendly Packaging: Delivered with less plastic, which is a nice little win for the planet.

Technical Specifications

Brand: Buffalo

SKU: FT694

Dimensions: 327(H) x 645(W) x 432(D)mm

Power: 1.2kW, 13 amp plug fitted

Voltage: 220-240V

Capacity: 21Ltr (Fits 1 x 1/1 GN up to 150mm deep)

Weight: 9.9kg

Material: Stainless Steel

Heat Type: Wet Heat Only

Controls: Manual Dial

Expert Review and  Insights

Buffalo has carved out a solid reputation for creating no-nonsense gear that just works, and  this bain marie is a perfect example. It provides the consistent, gentle wet heat that’s essential for holding delicate sauces or soups without them splitting or burning. It's a proper workhorse for any food service line that values consistency and  reliability.

Oliver Bennett - Catering Equipment Expert View Profile →

  • Pro: The front-mounted drain tap is a massive time-saver during cleanup routines.
  • Con: Remember to budget for pans, as they aren't included with the unit.

Case Study: Real Business, Real Results

The team at 'The Hungry Hiker's Rest' in Keswick, Lake District, needed to replace their old, inefficient bain marie that was causing food to dry out during their busy lunch service. They needed something reliable that was easy to clean for their small, fast-paced kitchen.

"Our old unit was a nightmare to empty and  was so harsh on the food. This Buffalo wet heat bain marie keeps our daily stew perfect for hours, and  the drain tap has genuinely made our end-of-day clean-up faster. It's a simple, solid piece of equipment that does exactly what it promises."

Maria Flores - Head Chef

The upgrade resulted in zero food wastage from drying out and  saved the team approximately 15 minutes of cleaning time every single day.

Installation and  Maintenance Guide

Setting It Up

  • Unpack and  remove all protective packaging, giving it a quick wipe down.
  • Place the unit on a stable, level, and  water-resistant countertop near a 13A socket.
  • Before turning it on, fill the water pan to the correct level – never operate it dry.
  • Place your GN pans with hot food inside, put the lid on, and  Select your desired temperature with the dial.

Keeping It Going

  • Always disconnect from the power supply before cleaning.
  • Drain the water daily using the tap once it has cooled to a safe temperature.
  • Clean the interior and  exterior with a soft cloth and  a mild, non-abrasive detergent.
  • Regularly check the plug and  power cord for any signs of wear and  tear.
  • If you're in a hard water area, descale the unit periodically to maintain performance.

Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Bain Marie

Finding the perfect hot holding solution can be tricky. Here are a few key things to consider when choosing a bain marie for your business.

Wet Heat vs. Dry Heat

Wet heat models, like this one, use a water bath for gentle, moist heat. They are ideal for liquids like soups, sauces, and  gravy, or delicate items like eggs. Dry heat is better for keeping fried or breaded items like chips and  chicken crispy.

Size and  GN Capacity

Think about how many different dishes you need to hold at once. This model holds a single full-size (1/1) Gastronorm pan. If you need to hold smaller portions of multiple items, check if it can be adapted with divider bars for 1/2 or 1/3 GN pans.

The Importance of a Drain Tap

For any commercial wet heat bain marie with tap, this is a non-negotiable feature. It makes emptying the unit safe, quick, and  easy, saving you significant time and  effort during your daily clean-down routine. It's a must-have for busy kitchens.

Power Supply

Is the unit 'plug and  play' or does it need to be hardwired by an electrician? This Buffalo model conveniently runs off a standard 13-amp plug, so you can set it up almost anywhere you have a socket.

Build Material

In a commercial kitchen, you need equipment that can take a few knocks. Stainless steel is the industry standard for a reason: it's durable, resistant to rust and  corrosion, and  incredibly easy to keep hygienically clean.

See all Wet Heat Bain Maries with GN Pans

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do the Gastronorm pans come included with this unit?

A: No, this is a countertop bain marie without pans. It's designed to fit standard 1/1 GN pans (or smaller 1/2 and  1/3 pans using divider bars), which are sold separately.

Q: Can I use this bain marie for dry heat?

A: This model is designed for wet heat operation only to ensure food is kept moist. Using it without water can damage the heating element and  is not recommended.

Q: How do I empty the water at the end of service?

A: It's very simple. Just use the integrated drain tap on the front of the unit to empty the water into a suitable container once it has cooled down.

Q: What is the maximum depth of GN pan I can use?

A: You can use Gastronorm pans up to 150mm deep, which gives you a generous capacity for holding large batches of food.

Q: Is the temperature control precise?

A: The unit features a simple, user-friendly dial control that allows you to set and  maintain the ideal holding temperature for your food.

Q: What material is the bain marie made from?

A: It is constructed from high-quality stainless steel, making it durable, robust, and  very easy to clean and  maintain.

Q: Is it heavy or difficult to move?

A: No, it weighs just 9.9kg, making it a relatively lightweight countertop unit that can be positioned easily where you need it most.

Q: What happens if the unit runs dry or overheats?

A: For safety, it has a built-in thermal cut-out feature that will switch the unit off. It also has a simple press-button reset function.

What Customers Are Saying

"Brilliant bit of kit for our Sunday carvery. Keeps the gravy at the perfect temp and  is a doddle to clean afterwards. Can't fault it."

Brian T. - Pub Owner, Manchester

"Great for my food stall. Heats up quickly and  is light enough to move around easily. Wish it came with at least one pan, but it's a solid machine."

Chloe P. - Mobile Caterer, Cornwall

"We use two of these for our hotel breakfast buffet. They are reliable, sturdy, and  hold temperature consistently. A good, honest catering wet heat bain marie."

Robert G. - Hotel Manager, Edinburgh

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The Buffalo Promise: Reliability for the Daily Grind

With Buffalo, you're not just buying a piece of equipment; you're investing in dependability. This brand has built its name on creating strong, straightforward appliances that can handle the pressures of a professional kitchen without a fuss. This Buffalo commercial bain marie is a testament to that philosophy. Its improved design isn't about flashy gimmicks; it's about a longer operational lifespan, meaning fewer breakdowns and  less disruption to your service. For a business owner, that translates directly to lower maintenance costs and  greater peace of mind. It’s a smart, foundational investment that pays for itself through sheer consistency, allowing you to focus on creating fantastic food, confident that your equipment won't let you down.

Explore more from Buffalo

How a Drain Tap Saves You Time and  Hassle

It might seem like a small detail, but the front-mounted drain tap on this bain marie is a huge quality-of-life improvement in a busy kitchen. Imagine the end of a long shift: instead of having to carefully lift a heavy unit filled with hot water and  carry it to a sink to empty, you simply open the tap and  let it drain safely into a bucket below. It’s the difference between a risky, two-person job and  a quick, safe, one-person task. This feature not only speeds up your cleaning routine but also dramatically reduces the risk of spills and  burns, making your kitchen a safer place to work.

Who Should Buy This?

  • Pubs & Carveries: An absolute must for keeping gravy, sauces, vegetables, and  mushy peas piping hot and  ready for service.
  • Hotel Buffets: Perfect for the breakfast rush, holding everything from scrambled eggs and  baked beans to porridge for guests.
  • Mobile Caterers: Its compact, countertop design and  standard plug make it brilliant for events, festivals, and  food markets.
  • Takeaways & Canteens: Ideal for holding curries, chilli, or soups, ensuring consistent quality for every order that goes out the door.
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