Hot bain-marie with neutral cabinet CASTA LQ/BME1BA

A hot bain-marie keeps prepared food at serving temperature without drying or burning. The appliance holds a shallow tank of water heated by armoured elements beneath the tank. The heat travels through the water and into gastronorm containers placed inside, warming the food gently and evenly. Because the water never touches the food, sauces stay smooth, vegetables keep their colour and meats do not overcook. The neutral cabinet below gives dry storage for plates or ingredients that must stay cool until service begins.

To use the bain-marie, fill the tank through the integrated tap until the water reaches the level marked inside. Place gastronorm containers of food into the GN1/1 and GN1/3 wells. Set the thermostat between 30 °C and 90 °C according to the food's needs—lower for delicate sauces, higher for roasted meats. Switch the appliance on; a warning light shows when the elements are heating. Once the water reaches the set temperature, the light cycles on and off to maintain it. When service is over, drain the tank through the lower tap and remove the containers. The overflow pipe inside the tank prevents spills if the water level rises too high.

The entire unit is built from AISI 304 stainless steel with a Scotch Brite finish, chosen for corrosion resistance and easy cleaning in busy kitchens. Armoured heating elements sit outside the tank, away from food debris, so they last longer and are simpler to wipe down. Handles and control knobs are coated with cool-touch material to prevent burns during use. Adjustable stainless-steel legs let the appliance sit level on uneven floors.

The control panel has a general on/off switch, a thermostat dial marked from 30 °C to 90 °C, and two warning lights: one for power and one for heating. A safety thermostat cuts the elements if the temperature exceeds 90 °C, protecting the appliance and the food.

The 1.8 kW power rating means the bain-marie draws a steady load on a 230 V 3-phase circuit, typical of professional kitchens. The 400 mm depth, 900 mm width and 850 mm height give a footprint that fits standard worktops while leaving room for gastronorm containers to slide in and out. The 200 mm tank depth is shallow enough to warm food quickly but deep enough to hold a useful volume of water.

Cleaning is straightforward: drain the tank, wipe the stainless-steel surfaces with a damp cloth and mild detergent, then dry to prevent water marks. The armoured elements outside the tank need only occasional brushing to remove dust. The lower cabinet can be wiped out after each service to keep stored items clean.

The LQ/BME1BA is a single model; no variants are listed. Containers and lids are not included and must be ordered separately. The product sits in the CASTA catalogue under hot-holding equipment, alongside other bain-maries and heated counters.