Hot bain-marie with neutral cabinet CASTA E7/KME2BA

A hot bain-marie keeps sauces, soups and delicate foods at serving temperature without drying or scorching. The unit circulates warm water around a gastronorm tank, transferring heat gently from sheathed elements mounted outside the tank. Because the elements never touch the water, there is no risk of hot spots or mineral build-up, and the water bath remains even and stable throughout service.

To begin, the operator fills the lower compartment through the water-filling tap until the overflow pipe signals the correct level. The thermostat is set between 30 °C and 90 °C, depending on the food: lower for sauces that must not break, higher for soups that need to stay piping hot. Once the temperature is reached, the green operation indicator lights and the red heating light shows when the elements are cycling. A safety thermostat cuts power if the water exceeds 90 °C, protecting both food and equipment.

The GN2/1 tank, 200 mm deep, is loaded with gastronorm containers of food; lids are not supplied. After service, the water is drained through the tap in the lower compartment, leaving the tank and heating elements dry and ready for cleaning.

The cabinet is constructed from stainless steel, with a control panel on the front that carries the thermostat knob, the general operation indicator and the heating warning light. Four adjustable legs, also in AISI 304 stainless steel, allow the unit to be levelled on uneven floors or matched to adjacent worktops.

The 3 kW power rating requires a dedicated 230 V three-phase circuit, the standard supply for professional catering equipment. The 800 mm width and 700 mm depth fit a GN2/1 footprint, making it compatible with standard kitchen shelving and trolleys. The 850 mm height clears most work surfaces while keeping the tank at a comfortable working level.

Cleaning is straightforward: the water tank is emptied and wiped, the heating elements are brushed free of dust, and the stainless steel surfaces are sanitised with a food-safe cleaner. The overflow pipe and taps should be checked regularly to ensure they are not blocked by scale or debris.

The E7/KME2BA is a single-tank model; no variants are listed for this article.