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    Published: Mar 7, 2017 · Modified: Nov 8, 2021 by Pam

    Keep Food Warm or Cold Until Time to Serve

    Thanks for sharing!

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    pin for how to keep food warm at a party

    My Secret Weapon to Keep Food Hot or Cold

    No, I’m not talking about a chafing dish or a warming oven, or even a crockpot. I’m going to share my secret that costs under $12 and you can use it over and over again.

    You can even take it with you to a potluck or covered dish dinner. Curious yet?

    Here’s the deal. You’re invited to a potluck dinner. You’ve slaved for hours (okay, maybe an exaggeration) but, you’ve made this dish you just know everyone is going to love. You take it right out of the oven and head off to the party.

    keep-food-hot

    Then you have time to travel and when you arrive there’s a stinkin’ social “hour”, or somebody is late. By the time the dishes are uncovered and everyone eats, your (previously delicious) contribution is no longer warm and delicious.

    The first line of defense for keeping potluck food hot or cold

    If you don’t have one of these you need to get one. This is mine. It’s made by Pyrex and has been well loved.

    keep-food-hot

    It’s an insulated casserole carrier and comes with a 9″ x 13″ covered baking dish and a hot and cold pack that you heat in the microwave to keep food warm or freeze for keeping food cold. These are awesome and there are some really cute ones out there now.

    This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read our full disclosure policy

    I found this one from Rachel Ray in two colors and it’s definitely a notch above mine in looks.

    keep-food-hot
    keep-food-hot

    This one from Amazon is similar to mine:

    How to keep food warm at a party

    These are great for getting to the party, but, at their cutest, these things are not really elegant sitting on a buffet table. And besides that, you’ve always got some well-meaning “helper” who takes everything out of their carriers 30 minutes before the meal is served.

    Or, maybe you have something that just doesn’t hold heat well or would get soggy all covered up tight. Like my sausage balls I make every Christmas, for instance. Or, delicious rolls like these

    keep-food-hot

    Okay, the Secret is:

    That hot pack that comes with your casserole carrier? It will keep food hot for a long time… maybe an hour and a half to two hours. Pull it out and slip it under your casserole dish on the buffet table.

    keep-food-hot

    Seriously, no one will be the wiser. And, the other cooks now serving cold mush will be green with envy when you rake in all the compliments. The truth is, your dish may be no better than theirs, but yours stayed WARM!

    Here’s what I do with the sausage balls or rolls. Just slip the hot pack in a basket and then line it with pretty napkins. I’ve got this great basket that’s the perfect size and shape.

    keep-food-hot

     See the hot pack hiding under there? It will keep food warm and it’s pretty sneaky, huh?

    To be honest, I haven’t used the cold pack nearly as much as the hot one, but I have used it, and it works great too.

    keep-food-hot

    I see now on Amazon that they have these combination packs that can be either heated or frozen. I’ve not tried them, but if you have, leave a comment and let us know if it works well.

    One last tip on how to keep picnic or party food warm

    Use it at home! Really. Do you ever have more dishes to bake than you have oven space? Or, guests who come with a casserole that still needs to bake when they arrive?

    I like to have one of my dishes already done and zipped up tight in my carrier. It frees up oven space and cuts down on hostess stress, and that’s a big deal for me. I want to be as relaxed as possible when having people over.

    For a full list of Backyard BBQ Menu Ideas plus tips on planning, organizing and keeping guests involved and happy be sure to check this article.

    Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletters. It’s the easiest way to keep up with the goings-on at B&B. 

    This hack would be great to use with these recipes:

    • stack of 3 biscuits with pimento cheese
      Pimento Cheese Biscuits
    • cornbread dressing in pan
      Cornbread Dressing
    • spoon in dish of beans
      Southern Style Baked Beans
    • keto breakfast casserole with cheese, eggs and milk behind
      Keto Breakfast Casserole
    • low carb broccoli casserole
      Keto Broccoli Casserole
    • potato gratin with scoop out of corner
      Potato Gratin with Aged Gouda Cheese
    • green beans bundled with bacon make an elegant, but easy side dish
      Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
    • Asiago Cheese & Black pepper biscuits have just 4 ingredients!
      Asiago Black Pepper Biscuits
    • The original Fiery Cajun Shrimp is updated, but as wonderful as ever.
      Fiery Cajun Shrimp

    Categories: Archived Posts Tags: entertaining

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. FLORENCE @ VintageSouthernPicks says

      March 13, 2017 at 6:44 pm

      This is a great idea! I needed it this weekend when food got cold from stove to table in my own home. I have one of those zipper covers, but no hot pack. Bummer. Love how you “hid” it in your basket! Pinned.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        March 13, 2017 at 8:02 pm

        Thanks, Florence. My casserole carrier came with a hot pack, but I wore that one out and had to replace it. They are worth their weight in gold!

        Reply
    2. Patti says

      December 28, 2017 at 5:35 pm

      Genius! I have a carrier and blew up the hot pack years ago. It never occurred to me to look for a replacement (duh). Thanks for this awesome tip!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        December 28, 2017 at 5:37 pm

        Thanks, Patti! I’m actually of thinking of getting a couple more hot packs just to sit under casseroles, etc. without the carrier.

        Reply
        • Noreen McCafferty says

          November 17, 2018 at 5:08 am

          How do you order a replacement hot pack? Thank You.

          Reply
          • Pam says

            November 21, 2018 at 10:42 am

            Hi Noreen. I’m pretty sure I replied to you in a p.m., but feel free to leave another comment if not. thanks!

            Reply
    3. Tabitha @ Tabitha Talks Food says

      May 06, 2018 at 8:37 pm

      This is such a good idea!!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        May 08, 2018 at 12:18 pm

        Thanks, Tabitha. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best.

        Reply
    4. Diana Cruz says

      June 15, 2018 at 11:34 am

      I didn’t know how to use the rubber pack that came with my long dish. Thank you for the tip. I am going to a potluck dinner for Girl Scouts, and making mostacelli. I pray it stays warm. I was happy when my daughter gave it to me a couple of years ago for Christmas. It has been put to good use. I need a small one, and will look for it. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        June 16, 2018 at 8:00 am

        So glad we could help out, Diana. If you heat it according to the directions and slip it under your dish it will stay hot for a good while. Have fun with those Girl Scouts!

        Reply
    5. Venus says

      October 25, 2018 at 9:04 am

      That’s a great idea as chafing dishes can be used in parties but what if you are going picnic. You come up with the best solution and its handy. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    6. Lisa says

      November 18, 2018 at 8:43 am

      How have I gone through life without one of these?

      I’m getting one this week!

      Lisa

      Reply
      • Pam says

        November 21, 2018 at 10:39 am

        You’ll be glad you did, Lisa!

        Reply
    7. Susan says

      February 04, 2019 at 5:00 am

      You’re so clever and I’m so happy I found this, thank you for sharing! I’m a vegan for ethical reasons so when it comes to potlucks and such, I try to inspire others with delicious, plant-based food, so I can’t get away with cold, soggy food that should be nice and hot!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        February 04, 2019 at 11:10 am

        Thanks, Susan. I guess truly we all want whatever we cook to be at its best, but even more so in your case.

        Reply
    8. Brandy says

      December 19, 2019 at 6:11 pm

      Any ideas of where to get a basket that fits a 9×13 pyrex well. I have the carrier and the hot pack, but absolutely love the idea of “hiding” the pack to display the dish. Cute and functional!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        December 22, 2019 at 5:22 pm

        Brandy, Our metal basket was found at a flea market but this link (affiliate) goes to a wicker basket that fits a 9 x 13.

        Reply
    9. Brandy says

      December 31, 2019 at 4:34 am

      Thank you!

      Reply

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