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Buffalo
In Stock
Commercial Rice Warmer | 21 Litre Capacity | Stainless Steel | Buffalo HX988
£273.78
/ exc vat
£328.54/ inc vat
- Huge 21Ltr Capacity
- Premium Non-Stick Inner Pot
- User-Friendly One-Button Operation
- Optimal Temperature Holding
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Product Overview
Finding it a challenge to serve perfectly fluffy, hot rice throughout a busy service? This Buffalo 21 Litre Rice Warmer is the kitchen workhorse you've been looking for. Designed specifically to hold large quantities of cooked rice at the ideal serving temperature, it takes the stress out of managing one of your most important side dishes, ensuring every portion is as good as the first.
It’s an absolute must-have for high-volume establishments like Chinese and Indian restaurants, bustling takeaways, large-scale event caterers, and staff canteens. If you're currently cooking rice in batches and struggling with quality control as the hours tick by, this dedicated warmer is your solution. It frees up your rice cooker to do what it does best – cook – while this unit handles the holding, perfectly.
Featuring a massive 21-litre capacity, a clever non-stick inner pot for easy serving and cleaning, and simple one-touch operation, this unit is all about efficiency and reliability. Stop letting cold, clumpy, or dry rice disappoint your customers and streamline your kitchen workflow with this essential piece of kit. It's the simple upgrade that makes a massive difference to your daily operations.
Key Features and Benefits
- Huge 21Ltr Capacity: Holds up to 110 portions of cooked rice.
- Premium Non-Stick Inner Pot: Prevents rice from sticking, reducing waste and cleaning time.
- User-Friendly One-Button Operation: Incredibly simple to use, even for new kitchen staff.
- Optimal Temperature Holding: Keeps rice perfectly warm and moist for hours without drying.
- Included Non-Scratch Spoon: Protects the non-stick coating for a longer lifespan.
- Efficient Workflow Design: Frees up your main rice cooker for continuous batch cooking.
- Durable Stainless Steel Body: Easy to wipe down and built for commercial kitchen demands.
- Low Power Consumption: Runs efficiently at just 110W, saving on energy bills.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Buffalo
- SKU: HX988
- Capacity: 21 Litres (Cooked Rice)
- Dimensions: 404(H) x 388(W) x 456(D) mm
- Power: 110W / Single Phase / 13A Plug Supplied
- Weight: 10kg
- Colour: Silver
- Controls: One-Touch Button
- Key Feature: Premium Non-Stick Inner Pot
Expert Review and Insights
The Buffalo HX988 isn't trying to be clever; it focuses on doing one job exceptionally well. For any Asian cuisine outlet, rice consistency is paramount, and this machine delivers. Its gentle, even heat distribution is a clear step up from cheaper models that often scorch the bottom layer. It’s a solid, reliable bit of kit that won’t let you down mid-service.
Priya Sharma – Asian Cuisine Expert View Profile →
- Best Feature: The non-stick pot is superb; rice serves cleanly with minimal wastage.
- Heads Up: Remember this is a dedicated warmer, not a cooker – plan accordingly.
Case Study: Real Business, Real Results
The 'Lemongrass Leaf', a popular Thai restaurant in Bath, was struggling with rice consistency during their peak evening service. Their previous method of leaving pots on a low heat resulted in dry, wasted rice and slower service times.
Since getting the Buffalo Rice Warmer, our rice quality is consistent from 6 pm until close. It just sits there, does its job perfectly, and frees up a whole hob ring. Our chefs are less stressed, and we're wasting far less food. It paid for itself in a couple of months.
Michael Davies – Owner
The restaurant reported a near-total elimination of rice wastage, saving an estimated £40 per week and significantly improving kitchen efficiency during peak hours.
Installation and Maintenance Guide
Setting It Up
- Find a flat, stable, and well-ventilated countertop away from direct heat sources.
- Before first use, wash the non-stick inner pot and lid with warm, soapy water.
- Ensure the unit is dry before plugging it into a standard 13A socket.
- For best results, transfer freshly cooked rice into the warmer as soon as possible.
Keeping It Going
- Always use the supplied non-scratch spoon or other plastic/silicone utensils to serve.
- Clean the inner pot after every use to prevent flavour transfer and build-up.
- Never use abrasive metal scourers or harsh chemicals on the non-stick pot.
- Regularly wipe down the stainless steel exterior with a damp cloth to keep it looking professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I cook rice from scratch in this machine?
A: No, the Buffalo HX988 is a dedicated rice warmer, not a cooker. It's designed to hold pre-cooked rice at the perfect serving temperature for extended periods.
Q: How many portions of rice does a 21-litre capacity hold?
A: A 21-litre capacity of cooked rice roughly translates to 110 standard portions, making it ideal for high-volume settings.
Q: How long will it keep the rice warm and fresh?
A: It's designed to hold rice for a full service period, typically up to 6 hours, without compromising quality, texture, or temperature.
Q: Is the inner pot difficult to clean?
A: Not at all. The premium non-stick inner pot ensures rice doesn't bake on, and it can be easily washed by hand with warm, soapy water.
Q: What is the main benefit of the non-stick pot?
A: The non-stick surface drastically reduces food waste as rice doesn't get stuck to the bottom, and it makes serving and cleaning much quicker.
Q: What kind of power supply does it need?
A: It's a low-power 110W appliance that comes with a standard UK 3-pin (13A) plug, so you can plug it in almost anywhere.
Q: Can I leave it on overnight?
A: For safety and food hygiene reasons, it is not recommended to leave the unit on and holding food overnight. It should be emptied and cleaned after each service.
Q: Does the outside of the unit get very hot?
A: The stainless steel exterior can become warm to the touch, but it is well-insulated. It should still be handled with care and placed where it won't be accidentally touched by customers.
The Buffalo Promise: Reliability You Can Bank On
In a commercial kitchen, you don't need fancy gadgets; you need equipment that turns up and does the job, day in, day out. That's the core philosophy behind Buffalo. This large capacity rice warmer isn't just a collection of specifications; it's a piece of infrastructure for your business. Its straightforward design means there's less to go wrong, leading to fewer breakdowns and service interruptions. The brand's reputation is built on creating affordable, robust, and effective tools that understand the pressures of a professional environment. Investing in this Buffalo 21 litre rice warmer is about more than just keeping rice hot; it's about ensuring product consistency, reducing costly food waste, and equipping your team with a tool so reliable they can simply forget about it and focus on cooking.
Explore more from BuffaloHow Gentle Warming Protects Your Profits
Ever wondered why some rice warmers leave you with a crusty, unusable layer at the bottom? It's all down to how they apply heat. A cheap warmer is often just a hotplate in a box, blasting direct, harsh heat from below. This electric rice warmer from Buffalo, however, uses a smarter, all-round gentle warming technology.
Think of it like this: a cheap warmer is like toasting the rice, while this Buffalo unit is like tucking it into a perfectly warm duvet. The heat element is designed to distribute warmth evenly around the entire pot, not just from the base. This means every single grain of rice, from top to bottom, is held at the perfect temperature and humidity, staying fluffy, separate, and delicious for hours. The result? No scorching, no drying out, and virtually zero waste.
Who Should Buy This?
- High-Street Restaurants: Perfect for Indian, Thai, or Chinese restaurants needing a constant supply of quality rice.
- Mobile & Event Caterers: This large capacity rice warmer is a reliable choice for weddings, buffets, and corporate events.
- Busy Takeaways: Keep up with relentless demand on Friday nights without ever running out of hot, fresh rice.
- Institutional Canteens: Ideal for schools, hospitals, and workplace cafeterias serving hundreds of meals daily.
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Don't let poor quality rice slow down your service. Get your Buffalo HX988 Commercial Rice Warmer delivered directly and start serving perfect rice with every single order.