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Inomak In Stock

Commercial Bain Marie | Hot Food Warmer | 5x GN1/1 with Ambient Base | Inomak MDV718

SKU: PL-MDV718
£1,430.99 / exc vat
£1,717.19/ inc vat
  • Wet Well Heating
  • Generous 5 x GN1/1 Capacity
  • Digital Temperature Controller
  • High-Grade AISI 304 Stainless Steel

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Product Overview

Stepping up your hot food service? This brilliant bit of kit from Inomak is just the ticket. It’s a robust, reliable 5 pan commercial bain marie designed to keep your culinary creations perfectly hot, moist, and  ready to serve. With its generous capacity and  simple controls, it’s an absolute workhorse, ready for the busiest carveries, canteens, and  buffet lines across the UK.

Built for professionals who can't afford to compromise on quality, this unit is ideal for any business that needs to hold multiple dishes at a consistent, food-safe temperature. From hotel breakfast buffets to school lunch counters, the Inomak MDV718 bain marie ensures every plate served is as good as the first. The wet well heating system is the star of the show, providing gentle, even heat that prevents food from drying out, a common problem with lesser models.

Crafted from high-grade stainless steel and  topped with a protective glass gantry, this electric bain marie food warmer not only performs flawlessly but looks the part too. It’s an investment in consistency, food quality, and  customer satisfaction. If you need a dependable hot holding solution that won't let you down during the lunchtime rush, this is it.

Key Features and  Benefits

  • Wet Well Heating: Gently keeps food moist and  delicious for longer service periods.
  • Generous 5 x GN1/1 Capacity: Effortlessly serve a wide variety of main dishes and  sides.
  • Digital Temperature Controller: Guarantees precise temperature control for complete food safety compliance.
  • High-Grade AISI 304 Stainless Steel: Incredibly durable, hygienic, and  a breeze to wipe down after service.
  • Low Water Level Protection: A clever safety feature that prevents damage to the heating element.
  • Easy-Access Drain Tap: Makes emptying and  cleaning the unit quick, safe, and  hassle-free.
  • Tempered Glass Gantry: Protects food hygienically while offering customers a fantastic view.
  • Handy Ambient Undershelf: Provides valuable extra storage for plates, utensils, or other supplies.

Technical Specifications

  • Brand: Inomak
  • SKU: MDV718
  • Dimensions: 860 x 1795 x 700 mm (H x W x D)
  • Power: 2600W / 13 amp supply (Standard UK Plug)
  • Temperature Range: Max. +90°C
  • Weight: 100 kg
  • Capacity: Accepts 5 x GN1/1 pans (up to 150mm deep)
  • Control Type: Digital Controller with Temperature Display
  • Heating Type: Wet Well with Drain Tap
  • Material: High Grade AISI 304 Stainless Steel
  • Key Feature: Heater protection against low water level

Expert Review and  Insights

The Inomak MDV718 is a real grafter, built for high-volume service. Its wet well system is a standout, providing that gentle heat you need to avoid drying out sauces or overcooking vegetables during a long buffet service. The build quality is solid, and  the inclusion of features like the low-water cutout and  easy-drain tap shows it’s designed with the end-user in mind.

Oliver Bennett – Catering Equipment Expert View Profile →

  • Pros: The wet heat provides far superior food quality over dry heat models.
  • Cons: At 100kg, it requires careful planning for installation and  isn't portable.

Case Study: Real Business, Real Results

The Harbour View Bistro in Tenby, Wales, needed to upgrade its hot holding for their popular seaside lunch buffet. Their previous dry heat unit was causing food to lose quality quickly, leading to unnecessary waste.

"The Inomak has been a fantastic addition. Our food stays at the perfect temperature without drying out, which our regulars have definitely noticed. The daily cleanup is now a five-minute job thanks to the drain tap, which is a huge bonus for the team."

Robert Davies – Owner

Since installation, the bistro has seen a measurable reduction in food waste during buffet service, estimated at around 15%.

Installation and  Maintenance Guide

Setting It Up

  • Ensure the unit is placed on a firm, level floor with enough space for ventilation.
  • Before plugging in, make sure you have easy access to a standard 13-amp socket.
  • Always fill the water well to the marked level *before* turning the power on.
  • Allow the unit to pre-heat to your desired temperature before placing hot food pans inside.

Keeping It Going

  • At the end of each day, turn off, unplug, and  allow the water to cool before draining.
  • Use the built-in drain tap to empty the well completely.
  • Wipe the interior of the well and  all surfaces with a soft cloth and  food-safe cleaner.
  • Periodically use a de-scaler, following the manufacturer's instructions, to prevent limescale build-up.

Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Bain Marie

Finding the perfect fit for your service? Here are a few key things to consider when choosing a bain marie.

Wet Heat vs. Dry Heat

Wet heat is superior for holding delicate items like sauces, eggs, and  gravy as it prevents drying out. Dry heat is simpler but can be too harsh for some foods.

GN Capacity is Key

Think about the variety of dishes you'll offer. A 5 pan commercial bain marie like this gives you fantastic flexibility for a full menu display.

Gantry for Hygiene

If your bain marie is in a self-service area, a glass gantry (or 'sneeze guard') is non-negotiable for maintaining food hygiene standards.

Check Your Power

Ensure your kitchen has the right power supply. This model conveniently uses a standard 13-amp plug, making it easy to install almost anywhere.

The Importance of a Drain Tap

On larger units, a built-in drain tap is a lifesaver. It makes emptying hot water safe and  cleaning at the end of service incredibly fast.

Look for Quality Steel

AISI 304 grade stainless steel is the gold standard for catering equipment. It's tough, rust-resistant, and  easy to keep hygienically clean.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I cook food from scratch in this bain marie?

A: No, this is a hot holding unit designed to keep pre-cooked food at a safe and  consistent serving temperature. It is not designed for cooking raw food.

Q: What does 'GN1/1' mean?

A: 'Gastronorm' (GN) is a European standard for kitchenware sizes. A GN1/1 is a 'full size' pan, measuring 530x325mm. This unit holds five of them.

Q: Are the gastronorm pans included with the unit?

A: Gastronorm pans are typically sold separately. This allows you to choose the exact sizes and  depths that best suit your menu.

Q: How difficult is it to clean?

A: It's designed for easy cleaning. The stainless steel surfaces wipe down easily, and  the drain tap makes emptying the water well simple and  safe.

Q: What is the purpose of the glass gantry?

A: The tempered glass structure acts as a 'sneeze guard', providing a hygienic barrier to protect the food from contamination in a self-service environment.

Q: How do I control the temperature?

A: The unit features a user-friendly digital controller with a clear temperature display, allowing you to set and  monitor the heat with precision.

Q: Does this bain marie require a special water connection?

A: No, it is a manual fill unit. You simply pour water directly into the well before use. It does not require any plumbing.

Q: What is the ambient base used for?

A: The open undershelf is at room temperature ('ambient') and  provides convenient storage for items that don't need heating, like clean plates, trays, or serving utensils.

What Customers Are Saying

"An absolute workhorse for our staff canteen. It keeps everything piping hot from the first person served to the last. Couldn't be happier with it."

Mark L – Facilities Manager, Manchester

"Really solid build quality and  the digital display is easy to read. Keeps a very consistent temperature which gives us real peace of mind."

Susan Clarke – Pub Owner, The Cotswolds

"Looks very professional on our buffet line and  the glass gantry is great. The large capacity is exactly what we needed for our Sunday carvery."

David Chen – Hotel Restaurant, Birmingham

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The Inomak Promise: Reliability for the Rush

Beyond the impressive spec sheet, choosing an Inomak product is an investment in peace of mind. For decades, Inomak has built a reputation for producing no-nonsense, robust catering equipment that simply gets the job done. This bain marie is a perfect example of that philosophy. It's constructed from high-grade AISI 304 stainless steel not just for looks, but for its resilience to the dents, scrapes, and  constant cleaning cycles of a commercial kitchen. The focus on reliable components, like the protected heating element and  simple digital controls, means fewer breakdowns and  less disruption to your service. In a busy buffet or carvery setting, consistency is everything. This unit delivers that consistency, protecting your food quality, reducing waste, and  ensuring your customers leave happy, service after service. It's a true workhorse, built to handle the daily pressures of UK food service.

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Why a Wet Well Makes All the Difference to Food Quality

Ever wondered what 'wet well' actually means? Think of it like a gentle spa bath for your food. Instead of blasting your pans with harsh, dry heat from below, a wet well bain marie uses a reservoir of hot water to create a consistent, humid heat that wraps around the food containers. It’s the same principle as a chef's double boiler (a 'bain-marie' in French!) but on a much larger scale.

This gentle method is fantastic because it stops food from drying out, scorching on the bottom, or forming a skin. It ensures that the last portion of curry, casserole, or scrambled egg you serve is just as moist and  appetising as the first. This Inomak unit even includes a safety cut-out that protects the heater if the water runs low, saving you from a costly repair bill. It's a simple bit of tech that has a huge impact on food quality and  reducing waste.

Who Should Buy This?

  • Hotel & B&B Owners: Perfect for keeping full English breakfast items appealing and  ready for guests throughout the morning service.
  • Carveries & Pubs: An essential unit for displaying and  serving roast meats, vegetables, and  gravy for Sunday lunch.
  • School & Workplace Canteens: Reliably serves hundreds of hot, nutritious meals during a busy lunch rush, ensuring efficiency and  quality.
  • Event & Wedding Venues: A flexible and  high-capacity solution for managing hot buffet lines for large functions and  gatherings.
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Take control of your hot food service and  order the Inomak MDV718 Bain Marie today for fast, reliable UK delivery.

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