Inc. Food Warmer User Manual
Hot Food Drop-In Well Operation  &  Care  Manual  •  11
GENERAL HOLDING GUIDELINES
Chefs, cooks and other specialized food service 
personnel employ varied methods of cooking. Proper 
holding temperatures for a specific food product 
must be based on the moisture content of the 
product, product density, volume, and proper serving 
temperatures. Safe holding temperatures must also be 
correlated with palatability in determining the length of 
holding time for a specific product.
Halo Heat maintains the maximum amount of product 
moisture content without the addition of water, water 
vapor, or steam.  Maintaining maximum natural 
product moisture preserves the natural flavor of the 
product and provides a more genuine taste. In addition 
to product moisture retention, the gentle properties 
of Halo Heat maintain a consistent temperature 
throughout the cabinet without the necessity of a heat 
distribution fan, thereby preventing further moisture 
loss due to evaporation or dehydration.
When product is removed from a high temperature 
cooking environment for immediate transfer into 
equipment with the lower temperature required for hot 
food holding, condensation can form on the outside 
of the product and on the inside of plastic containers 
used in self-service applications. Allowing the product 
to release the initial steam and heat produced by high 
temperature cooking can alleviate this condition. To 
preserve the safety and quality of freshly cooked foods 
however, a maximum of 1 to 2 minutes must be the only 
time period allowed for the initial heat to be released 
from the product.
Most Halo Heat holding equipment is provided with a 
thermostat control between 60° and 200°F (16° to 93°C). 
If the unit is equipped with vents, close the vents for 
moist holding and open the vents for crisp holding.
If the unit is equipped with a thermostat indicating 
a range of between 1 and 10, use a metal-stemmed 
indicating thermometer to measure the internal 
temperature of the product(s) being held.  Adjust the 
thermostat setting to achieve the best overall setting 
based on internal product temperature.
HOLDING TEMPERATURE RANGE
MEAT FAHRENHEIT CELSIUS
BEEF ROAST — Rare 130°F 54°C
BEEF ROAST — Med/Well Done 155°F 68°C
BEEF BRISKET 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
CORN BEEF 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
PASTRAMI 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
PRIME RIB — Rare 130°F 54°C
STEAKS — Broiled/Fried 140° — 160°F 60° — 71°C
RIBS — Beef or Pork 160°F 71°C
VEAL 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
HAM 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
PORK 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
LAMB 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
POULTRY
CHICKEN — Fried/Baked 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
DUCK 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
TURKEY 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
GENERAL 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
FISH/SEAFOOD
FISH — Baked/Fried 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
LOBSTER 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
SHRIMP — Fried 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
BAKED GOODS
BREADS/ROLLS 120° — 140°F 49° — 60°C
MISCELLANEOUS
CASSEROLES 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
DOUGH — Proofing 80° — 100°F 27° — 38°C
EGGS —Fried 150° — 160°F 66° — 71°C
FROZEN ENTREES 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
HORS D'OEUVRES 160° — 180°F 71° — 82°C
PASTA 160° — 180°F 71° — 82°C
PIZZA 160° — 180°F 71° — 82°C
POTATOES 180°F 82°C
PLATED MEALS 140° — 165°F 60°— 74°C
SAUCES 140° — 200°F 60° — 93°C
SOUP 140° — 200°F 60° — 93°C
VEGETABLES 160° — 175°F 71° — 79°C
THE HO LDING TEMPERA TURES LIST ED ARE SUGGES TED GUIDELINE S ONLY.  A LL 
FOOD H OLDING SHO ULD  BE BASED ON INTERNAL P RODUCT TEMPER ATURES.   
ALWAYS  FOLLOW LO CAL  HEALTH (H YGIENE) REGUL ATIONS FOR AL L INTERNAL 
TEMPER ATURE REQUIRE MENTS.










