Chafing Fuels Guide

Wick Fuel vs Gel Fuel

When considering chafing fuel, it's important to learn the difference between wick and gel fuels so you can choose the right one to best suit your needs. Both fuels offer environmentally friendly options, deliver high-quality heat for reliable chafer warming, and are odorless. Plus, most are resealable so leftover fuel can be reused for more than one event.

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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 fuel options.

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 environment in mind and is biodegradable, 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 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.

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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.

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How to Use Chafing Fuel

Using Chafing Fuel Cans with Chafing Dishes

1. Start with 2-, 4-, or 6-hour fuel
2. Open the can, keeping it away from any open flame
3. Carefully place it in the receptacle
4. 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
5. Light the chafing fuel using a long reach match or butane lighter
   - For safety, always light the can when in place
6. Cover the water pan until it begins to steam (approximately 20 minutes)
7. Once steaming, place the food pan with hot, fully cooked foods into position and cover
8. 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

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Using Chafing Fuel Cans with Beverage Urns

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

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Using Chafing Fuel Cans with Banquet Carts

1. Open the can, keeping it away from any open flame
2. Carefully place it in the receptacle
3. Light the chafing fuel using a long reach match or butane lighter
   - For safety, always light the can when in place
4. After the cart has reached the proper holding temperature, place hot, fully cooked foods inside and close door. Transport with care
5. 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

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General Usage and Safety Tips for Chafing Fuel

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!

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How 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 the food within the induction chafer, but stay cool to the touch on their flattop 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.

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Alternatives to Chafing Fuel

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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!

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