Chafing Fuels Guide

What is chafing fuel? Which type of chafing dish fuel should I be using and how do I use it? If you have these questions, you've come to the right place! Choosing the right chafing fuel can increase profits and reduce accidents caused by improper use. Whether you're looking to compare the various types of fuels or research their diverse applications, this chafing fuel guide is sure to help you determine which fuel is best for your specific food service application.

How to Use Chafing Fuel

Using Chafing Fuel Cans with Chafing Dishes

Start with 2, 4, or 6 hour fuel
Open the can, keeping it away from any open flame
Carefully place it in the receptacle
Place the water pan in the frame and fill with about 1" of HOT water
- Using cold water will add to the pre-heating time
Light the chafing fuel using a long reach match or butane lighter
- For safety, always light the can when in place
Cover the water pan until it begins to steam (approximately 20 minutes)
Once steaming, place the food pan with hot, fully cooked foods into position and cover
After your event, extinguish the chafing fuel with the correct tool and dispose of the can properly, or replace the lid and store it for reuse

Using Chafing Fuel Cans with Beverage Urns

2 hour chafing fuel is recommended
Open the can, keeping it away from any open flame
Carefully place it in the receptacle
Light the chafing fuel using a long reach match or butane lighter
- For safety, always light the can when in place
After your event, extinguish the chafing fuel with the correct tool and dispose of the can properly

Using Chafing Fuel Cans with Banquet Carts

Open the can, keeping it away from any open flame
Carefully place it in the receptacle
Light the chafing fuel using a long reach match or butane lighter
- For safety, always light the can when in place
After the cart has reached the proper holding temperature, place hot, fully-cooked foods inside and close door. Transport with care
After your event, extinguish the chafing fuel with the correct tool and dispose of the can properly

- Always follow the Manufacturer’s instructions
- Pre-heat the cart to the proper temperature before placing hot, fully-cooked foods inside
- Use only the number of cans recommended by the cart Manufacturer

General Usage and Safety Tips for Chafing Fuel

Do's	Don'ts
Always select fuel with a burn time that’s long enough to last the length of your event, ensuring fuel changes aren’t necessary.	Never use an open flame before checking with your local code official.
Only use chafing fuel to maintain proper serving temperatures.	Never use chafing fuel to cook foods.
Always use a long-reach match or butane lighter to ignite the chafing fuel.	Never place chafing fuel near flammable table decorations or nearby items like curtains and paper products.
Always place chafing fuel in the desired area before lighting it.	Never light the fuel and carry or move it to the desired area.
Always wash your hands after working with chafing fuel as there may be some fuel residue left on your skin.	Never use other lit cans or rolled up paper to light chafing fuel.
Always extinguish chafing fuel at the end of events by using the proper tool (twist-off metal lid, snuffer paddle, regulator, etc.).	Never touch gel-type cans once they're lit. They can become extremely hot as the flame burns down into the can.
Always let spent fuel cans cool after use, then dispose of them properly.	Never blow out the flame to extinguish it.

Do you have new employees that are being trained on the proper use of chafers and chafing fuel? Provide them with this Sterno safety poster or hang it in a common area so staff can be reminded of how to safely use chafing fuel.

For a more interactive training, have new employees watch the informative Sterno chafing fuel safety tips video below!

Sterno Products Chafer Fuel Safety Tips

What is used to heat chafing dishes?

You can heat chafing dishes a couple of ways. The first way is to use chafing fuel as outlined at the beginning of this guide. Chafing fuel is the quickest, most inexpensive option and is usually used for catered and outdoor events.

An alternative to using chafing fuel is to use induction chafers with induction warmers. Induction warmers are great because they heat up the food within the induction chafer, but stay cool to the touch on their flatop surfaces. This reduces accidental burns and injuries all while promoting a sleek, upscale appearance.

Another option is to use electric chafing warmers. Electric warmers heat up to warm food, but do so without an exposed flame. They're ideal for areas where open flames are restricted. If you're looking to turn your traditional chafer into an electric unit without sacrificing an upscale appearance, Vollrath electric chafer heaters may be the solution for you. They're small and fit perfectly into standard fuel cup openings.

Alternatives to Chafing Fuel

Type	Description / Benefits	Usage
Induction-Style Chafers and Warmers	Provides best-in-class heat distribution with no hot or cold spots Allows you to maintain a constant temperature for longer periods of time than traditional chafers Eliminates the hazard of burns, injuries, and fires	High-end buffets and catered events Cruise ship dining stations
Electric Chafer Warmers	Great for outdoor dining areas where wind would blow out traditional chafer fuel Allows you to monitor and ensure precise temperatures of food	Restaurants and catered events Institutions and healthcare facilities with open flame restrictions
Vollrath Electric Chafer Heaters	Allows you to convert your fuel chafer into an electric unit Perfectly sized to fit standard fuel cup openings	Restaurants and catered events Institutions and healthcare facilities with open flame restrictions

Cost Per Hour & Annual Savings Calculator

Although our Choice brand 2 hour gel fuel offers the lowest cost per can, the best value in terms of burn time is our Choice brand 6 hour wick fuel. Our Choice brand wick fuel offers a convenient screw on lid so you can easily reuse the fuel to get the full 6 hours of usage. This makes Choice fuel great for any event, whether short or long!

Calculator

Product		Hours per can	Cans per case	Cost per case	Cost per can	Cost per hour
	Choice 2 Hour Ethanol Gel Chafer Fuel	2	72	$33.99
	Choice 2 Hour Methanol Gel Chafer Fuel	2	72	$29.99
	Choice 4 Hour Chafer Wick Fuel	4	24	$21.49
	Choice 6 Hour Chafer Wick Fuel	6	24	$22.99

Enter your current fuel to compare					-	-

Annual Savings Calculator (Comparing your fuel to our Choice 6 Hour Wick Fuel)

Cans used per each chafer:

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Save money without compromising quality and efficiency – start shopping Choice chafing fuel!

Shop Choice Fuel

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of fuel do you use in a chafing dish?

The type of fuel you use to heat your chafing dish is completely up to preference and desired burn time. If you're looking to heat food for a short period of time, we suggest using 45 minute or 2 hour chafing fuel. If you have an extended event, we offer 4, 5, and 6 hour hour fuel options.

There are gel fuel and wick fuel options available, both of which have benefits that are outlined at the beginning of this guide. You may also choose your fuel type by its specific composition.

Diethylene glycol fuel has a high flash point and won't combust if spilled.
Propylene glycol fuel is designed with the enviornment in mind and is biodegegradable, ensuring it won't release harmful chemicals or toxins into the atmosphere.
Ethanol fuel burns hotter and longer than other fuel types for superior performance.
Methanol fuel is a cost-effective, budget-friendly alternative to ethanol. However, it is unlawful to use in some states.

If you're looking for a specific brand, we feature Choice and Sterno Products chafing fuel. Choice chafer fuel offers superior burning power at an economical price that won't break your budget, and Sterno Products provides brand-name fuel products that customers know and love.

What is the difference between twist-off metal caps and stem wicks with plastic caps?

Once lit, chafer fuel cells with twist-off metal caps provide a quick, safe, and easy way to extinguish the flame at the end of events. The cap can simply be placed over the flame to snuff it out. Chafer fuel cells with stem wicks and plastic caps require a separate snuffer paddle, regulator, or saucer to extinguish the flame.

Because an additional tool is required to safely snuff out the flame when using a stem wick chafer with a plastic cap, chafer fuels with twist-off metal caps may be the better option for on-the-go catering companies. However, both styles of caps allow the cans to be resealed, providing you with a way to easily store and reuse leftover fuel.

Related Resources

Guide to Chafing Dishes

What is a chafing dish? Chafing dishes , also known as chafers, are the perfect way to serve hot food at your banquet, buffet, or catered event. They come in various shapes and sizes, and feature a range of finishes and cover types. Depending on the type of chafer you select, the heat source may differ as well. From traditional chafers to flame-free electric and induction chafers, this guide is sure to help you choose the perfect chafing dish for your foodservice operation.

5 Tips for Outdoor Catering

Now that summer is underway, more and more events are being held outdoors. These warmer months are the perfect time for large events like weddings, picnics, and festivals. Taking on outdoor events can open up a number of opportunities for your catering business, but first, you must be ready to create dishes outside of a typical kitchen setting. Check out our top 5 outdoor catering tips to help you get prepared for your next outdoor event. 1. Get Familiar with Your Outdoor Venue If you are able, visit the site well in advance of the event, so you can plan your outdoor catering setup and see the resources that are available to you. The venue layout could dictate what equipment you’ll need to bring, and it also could impact your serving plan.

How to Start a Catering Business

Catering businesses are often an ideal, flexible alternative to opening and operating a restaurant . Catering businesses allow you the creative freedom of running a foodservice operation without standard hours or a rigid schedule. Plus, they often require less startup capital and financial risk than a full-service restaurant. If you’re considering starting a catering business, keep reading to learn more about this foodservice segment. Before Starting Your Catering Business Before you begin buying equipment or drafting a business plan, it’s important to understand what makes a catering business unique. On the plus side, operating a catering business requires much less financial risk and burden than opening a restaurant while still offering y

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