Humidified or dry display warmer?

A humidified case adds moisture to the air, which keeps bread, buns, burritos and pastries soft for longer. A dry case suits fried chicken, fries, spring rolls and anything with a crust that goes soggy in humid air. Some models let you adjust humidity, which helps if the menu mixes both.

Is a display warmer the same as a holding cabinet?

No. A display warmer is built to show food to customers, with glass sides, lighting and doors sized for grabbing one item at a time. A holding cabinet sits in the back of house, holds far more in pans or trays and keeps temperature better because it is opened less and often insulated.

Does a self-serve display warmer need anything extra?

Customer-facing doors, tongs or wrapping, and product labels are the usual additions, and many health units have specific expectations for self-service hot food. Check with your local public health unit before you set up a self-serve case.

How much do commercial display warmers cost?

List prices on Norpex range from $349.99 to $23,234.99 CAD, with a median of $1,581.96 across 142 priced models; prices are list prices before tax and shipping.

What types of commercial display warmers do you carry?

Norpex lists these types of commercial display warmers, with the number of models of each: countertop (52), pass-thru (6) and floor (3).

Which brands of commercial display warmers do you carry?

Norpex lists 142 commercial display warmers. The brands with the most models listed are Omcan with 70, COLD with 16, Nemco with 14, Celcook with 10 and BakeMax with 8.

Do you ship commercial display warmers across Canada?

Norpex ships to delivery addresses across Canada. Equipment ships from distributor warehouses, so dispatch timing depends on the supplier and the destination. For items that can be bought online, shipping is calculated at checkout from live carrier rates for the delivery address and confirmed before payment. There is no automatic free-shipping or flat-rate offer.

Commercial Display Warmers in Canada

Display warmers are heated glass cases that keep food hot and visible at the counter, where customers can see it before ordering or take it themselves. Convenience stores, bakeries, cafes, delis, concessions and quick-service counters use them for pastries, pizza slices, fried chicken, pretzels, samosas and other grab-and-go items. Models differ in shelf count, humidity control, and whether customers or only staff can open them.

About commercial display warmers

Before you buy

Decide between full-serve, with doors only on the staff side, and self-serve, with doors facing the customer.
Choose humidity control for bread, buns and pastries that dry out, and a drier case for fried food that must stay crisp.
Count the shelves and measure the tray or pan sizes they take against how many items you want on show at once.
Measure the counter depth and width, and leave space around the case for the airflow and clearances in the manual.
Check whether heat comes from heated shelves, from above or from circulated air, since each treats the top and bottom of the food differently.

Common questions

Humidified or dry display warmer?: A humidified case adds moisture to the air, which keeps bread, buns, burritos and pastries soft for longer. A dry case suits fried chicken, fries, spring rolls and anything with a crust that goes soggy in humid air. Some models let you adjust humidity, which helps if the menu mixes both.
Is a display warmer the same as a holding cabinet?: No. A display warmer is built to show food to customers, with glass sides, lighting and doors sized for grabbing one item at a time. A holding cabinet sits in the back of house, holds far more in pans or trays and keeps temperature better because it is opened less and often insulated.
Does a self-serve display warmer need anything extra?: Customer-facing doors, tongs or wrapping, and product labels are the usual additions, and many health units have specific expectations for self-service hot food. Check with your local public health unit before you set up a self-serve case.
How much do commercial display warmers cost?: List prices on Norpex range from $349.99 to $23,234.99 CAD, with a median of $1,581.96 across 142 priced models; prices are list prices before tax and shipping.
What types of commercial display warmers do you carry?: Norpex lists these types of commercial display warmers, with the number of models of each: countertop (52), pass-thru (6) and floor (3).
Which brands of commercial display warmers do you carry?: Norpex lists 142 commercial display warmers. The brands with the most models listed are Omcan with 70, COLD with 16, Nemco with 14, Celcook with 10 and BakeMax with 8.
Do you ship commercial display warmers across Canada?: Norpex ships to delivery addresses across Canada. Equipment ships from distributor warehouses, so dispatch timing depends on the supplier and the destination. For items that can be bought online, shipping is calculated at checkout from live carrier rates for the delivery address and confirmed before payment. There is no automatic free-shipping or flat-rate offer.

Guides

Buying guide

Hot Food Holding Equipment Guide: Cabinets, Steam Tables, Warmers

7 min read · Updated September 25, 2026

COLD Verona W-18 PP BEMAR 73″ Bain-Marie Display Counter

New Air NCD-32-HT 31″ Countertop Display Warmer Case

48″ Floor Display Warmer, 2 Shelves, Square-Glass Front, Full-Service, 16.4 cu.ft. (465 L) Capacity – 110V, 800W

Sierra – 38″ Stainless Steel Heated Display Merchandiser with Glass Slides – SHDM-38PT – DISCONTINUED

COLD Verona W-18 PP HEATED 73″ Heated Display Counter

34″ Countertop Display Warmer, 3 Shelves, Square-Glass, Full-service, 5.6 cu.ft. (160L) Capacity – 110V, 1650W

Celcook – Erato Line 18″ Heated Display Case – CHD-TOWER

Celcook – ACL LINE 24.4″ Heated Display Case – CHD2-24ACL

50″ Heated Pass-Through Station with 4.87 cu.ft. (138 Liter) Capacity, 110V, 1800W

Omcan – 47″, 186 Liters Capacity Display Warmer – DW-CN-0186

HOTZONE – HW-270 HEATED DIPLAY CASE 35.4″W 47″ H

Omcan 47425 Countertop Display Warmer – 3 Shelves – 27 Inch

Antunes – DCH-300 120V, 42.5″ Full Service Countertop Heated Display Case with 2 Shelves – 9500540 (ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Celcook – Erato Line 43″ Heated Display Case – CHD-43ERA

Bakemax – 48″ Stainless Steel Wide Countertop Electric Heated Display Case with LED Lighting – BMTSC48

Antunes – DCH-320 120V, 42.5″ Full Service Countertop Heated Display Case with 2 Shelves – 9500550 (ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Celcook – ACL LINE 18.5″ Heated Display Case – CHD2-19ACL

BakeMax Titan Series BMCBF25 25 Inch Wide Countertop Full-Service Heated Display Case

46″ Floor Display Warmer, 4 Shelves, Open Front, Self-Service, 26.8 cu. ft. (760 L) Capacity – 220V, 3100W

COLD Verona W-15 PP HEATED 62″ Heated Display Counter

19″ Floor Display Warmer, 3 Shelves, Open Front, Self-Service, 7.7 cu.ft. (220 L) capacity

Nemco – 120V 24″ Black Slanted Double Shelf Merchandiser – 6480-24S-B

27″ Countertop Display Warmer, 3 Shelves, Square Glass, Full-Service, 4.2 cu.ft. (120 L) Capacity – 110V, 1650 W

22″ Countertop Display Warmer, 2 Shelves, 2 Rear Hinged Doors, Full-Service, 1.59 cu.ft. (45 L) Capacity