How do you use sterno racks?

amother

OP ↓

Sun, Mar 17 2024, 7:22 pm

I want to set up my food on Purim using sterno racks but I don’t know how to use them or where to buy them.
Can someone guide me with this?

bsy ↓

Sun, Mar 17 2024, 7:42 pm

You put the fires under the racks. You need a big pan that fits in the rack. You fill it halfway with water and then you can put 2 9x13 pans in each

ra_mom ↓

Sun, Mar 17 2024, 8:16 pm

You need 4 things for each sterno:

1 sterno rack
1 full size pan (sterno size- fits 2 9x13s)
2 9x13 pans
2 fuel cans

Set up the rack. Place the fuel cans into the indented spaces on bottom of the racks.
Add 1.5 inches of water into the full size pan and set up in the rack. The water between the pans will ensure the fire doesn't burn the food.
Then lay the 2 9x13 pans of food into the full pans of water.
Pop off the fuel lids when ready to set up the fires. (Keep them for later when you need to turn off the flames.) Light the fuel cans carefully with a match.

After an hour of the fuel cans going at full force, add more water to the lower pan so the food doesn't burn.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=.....3D%3D

amother

↑ OP ↓

Thu, Mar 21 2024, 7:58 am

I bought a Sterno rack set on amazon. I think it’s a set of 6. Can I set it up on plastic folding tables with a tablecloth? Is it dangerous? Do the cans get very hot on the bottom?

↑ bsy ↓

Thu, Mar 21 2024, 10:49 am

amother OP wrote:

I bought a Sterno rack set on amazon. I think it’s a set of 6. Can I set it up on plastic folding tables with a tablecloth? Is it dangerous? Do the cans get very hot on the bottom?

They are raised off the table a bit. We always do it on disposable tablecloths and never had an issue

amother

↑ OP ↓

Thu, Mar 21 2024, 1:13 pm

bsy wrote:

They are raised off the table a bit. We always do it on disposable tablecloths and never had an issue

You mean plastic tablecloths?
Why doesn’t the bottom of the can melt the plastic?

↑ ra_mom ↓

Thu, Mar 21 2024, 2:00 pm

amother OP wrote:

You mean plastic tablecloths?
Why doesn’t the bottom of the can melt the plastic?

The sterno flame cans sit on the rack, at about 1/2" above the tablecloth.
Only the 4 corners of the full rack sit on the tablecloth.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Thu, Mar 21 2024, 2:07 pm

ra_mom wrote:

The sterno flame cans sit on the rack, at about 1/2" above the tablecloth.
Only the 4 corners of the full rack sit on the tablecloth.

Oh, thank you . I didn’t realize that.

amother

↑ OP

Thu, Mar 21 2024, 3:31 pm

bsy wrote:

Sternos are amazing. We use them for yom tov all the time and don't leave the oven on

How do you light them on Yom tov?
How do you put out the fire?

↑ bsy ↓

Thu, Mar 21 2024, 3:52 pm

amother OP wrote:

How do you light them on Yom tov?
How do you put out the fire?

We leave on one flame on the stove. Light with a match. They go out after 2 to 2.5 hours and then throw them out.

amother

SandyBrown ↓

Thu, Mar 21 2024, 4:06 pm

If I have a full size pan of food that fits the sterno rack, does that mean I don't have a pan under with water, will my food burn?

↑ bsy ↓

Thu, Mar 21 2024, 4:36 pm

amother SandyBrown wrote:

If I have a full size pan of food that fits the sterno rack, does that mean I don't have a pan under with water, will my food burn?

Put the whole pan in the sterno pan with water if the sterno pan is deeper than your food pan. Without water your food with dry out or burn

↑ bsy

Thu, Mar 21 2024, 5:13 pm

menucha18 wrote:

Does it heat cold food? How long does it take?

Yes it does. It takes time, at least an hour,often longer, especially if it's dense. But we use it every yom tov and enjoy hot food with a cool kitchen.

↑ ra_mom

Thu, Mar 21 2024, 5:32 pm

amother SandyBrown wrote:

If I have a full size pan of food that fits the sterno rack, does that mean I don't have a pan under with water, will my food burn?

It will burn without the "double boiler".
But I did notice deeper sterno pans in the supermarket recently. Check if your pan fits inside the deeper one, and if the deeper ones fit into the sterno rack.

amother

↑ SandyBrown

Fri, Mar 22 2024, 5:00 am

Ok thanks. I will look for the sterno pans. I'm clueless and didn't remember I needed the sterno pan until this thread.. thanks