User's Manual
MN-29742 • Rev. 1 (04/13) • Drawer Warmer Installation/Operation/Service Manual • 9
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.
In an enclosed holding environment, too much 
moisture content is a condition which can be relieved.  
A product achieving extremely high temperatures 
in preparation must be allowed to decrease in 
temperature before being placed in a controlled 
holding atmosphere. If the product is not allowed to 
decrease in temperature, excessive condensation will 
form increasing the moisture content on the outside 
of the product. 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.
OPERATION
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 TEMP ERA 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 REQU IRE MENTS.










