November 30th, 2022 by Sarah Miles

Catering urns offer a great hot water solution for businesses as they are more energy efficient than re-boiling kettles multiple times, deliver hot water faster thus saving time for staff, and of course, for food service businesses, they allow you to serve hot drinks faster, keeping customer flow moving.

They can equally be used for hot water for washing up, so you’re less reliant on the central heating system, and at this time of year, you can even use some models for festive treats like mulled wine.

Here are some of the features you need to consider when choosing the right catering urn this Christmas.

• Capacity
  Urns tend to range from around 10 litres in capacity to 30 litres so consider the demand for them. If you’re serving multiple people, obviously a larger urn is the better choice. However, if the demand is lower, a smaller unit will heat faster initially and take up less space.
   
• Durability
  If you are only likely to use an urn for the odd corporate event or meeting, you may not need a really robust one. However, if you plan to make constant use of it (after all, this is when you achieve the best energy savings and other benefits), it is prudent to select a very durable one that is fabricated from a material such as hardened stainless steel. This is especially relevant if you intend to transport it around to different venues as it can withstand being handled and moved more effectively. Obviously, the harder it is, the longer it will last.
   
• Purpose
  Consider what you intend to use the urn for. Obviously, the most common use for a catering urn is to boil water, whether that’s for making hot drinks, or for adding to foodstuffs such as packet noodles, soups, or sauces. However, some models can be used for different liquids and are ideal at this time of year for mulled wine. If this is something you’re interested in, whether for resale or for company events, you will require an urn with a thermostat because this requires a lower temperature. A digital urn is the best solution as it allows you to adjust the temperature very accurately so whether you require the liquid to be gently warmed through, boiling hot, or anything in between, you can easily achieve it.
   
• Safety
  When you are considering something that boils water, safety is obviously a key consideration. Models that are insulated with cool touch handles to minimise the risk of burns. Also, the sturdier the design and wider the base, the less chance there is of it being knocked over. A secure locking lid protects against it coming open when you don’t want it to.
   
• Hygiene
  In a food and drink service environment, hygiene is extremely important so consider how easy the urn is to wipe down and any additional features such as drip trays that minimise mess.

Recommended Model

A catering model that offers a range of features, including different capacity options, a digital thermostat, stainless steel case, cool touch handles, and many more is the MYLEK Digital Catering Urn. Prices start at £85.00 for a 10-litre model and they are available on next day delivery.

MYLEK Digital Stainless Steel Catering Urn 16L

Price: £92.99

Buy Now