Soup Kettles
A soup kettle is a small bain-marie style unit, typically a single or twin round pot on a heated base, designed to hold soups, sauces or gravies hot and ready to serve at cafés, pub servery counters, canteens and hotel breakfast buffets. Pot capacity (commonly 7-11 litres per pot) is sized against expected daily volume, plus whether a single or twin-pot configuration suits the menu range on offer.
Key specifications
Pots and bases are 304 stainless steel, with wet-heat operation via a surrounding water bath, 0.8-1.5kW power draw per pot on a standard 13A plug, dial or digital thermostats holding 65-85°C, and lids to retain heat and reduce evaporation between servings. Warranty is typically 1-2 years parts and labour.
Soup Kettles — FAQs
How much soup does a standard soup kettle hold?
Most single-pot soup kettles hold 7-11 litres, enough for a busy café or pub lunch service, while twin-pot units double that capacity to offer two soup or sauce options side by side.
Does a soup kettle use wet heat or dry heat?
Soup kettles use wet heat — a water bath surrounds the pot — which distributes heat gently and evenly, preventing the soup from catching or scorching on the base during long holding periods.
Brands typically found in this category include Buffalo, Vollrath and Dualit for soup and sauce holding, suited to cafés, pubs and canteens.