Instructions

1. Check that you have a working fire extinguisher withing a few feet of the chafing dish.

2. Set the chafing dish on a flat stable surface and pour hot water into the base until it is approximately 2 inches deep.

3. Test the water level by lowering in the empty food pan insert and lifting it back out. Remove some of the water until the bottom of the food pan insert comes out dry.

4. Twist the Sterno or alcohol burners down into the round openings between the feet of the chafing dish. Place the burners on a sheet pan to protect the surface below if the chafing dish does not have these slots that hold the burners up. Space the burners on the sheet pan so each is centered under half of the chafing dish.

5. Adjust the burners according to the manufacturer's directions to attain medium heat. Alcohol burners have a wick that is pulled out or pushed in to adjust heat. Sterno burners have lids that can be opened or closed to raise and lower heat output.

6. Light both burners and cover the chafing dish with the lid for approximately 10 minutes.

7. Remove the lid of the chafing dish to slowly lower in the pan insert that has been filled with food.

8. Replace the lid of the chafing dish and check on the fuel level in the burners and water level in the steam table every 60 to 90 minutes.