Heat lamp or strip heater: which do I need?

A bulb heat lamp concentrates heat on a small area, which suits a carving station, a single plate or a small pass. A strip heater is a long overhead infrared element that spreads heat along a full pass or holding shelf. Wide passes that hold many plates at once are usually better served by strip heaters.

Why should heat lamp bulbs be shatter-resistant?

A bulb that breaks over food scatters glass into it. Shatter-resistant bulbs have a coating that holds the fragments together if the glass breaks, and food safety rules in many areas call for coated or shielded bulbs above open food. Replace them with the same type, not a standard bulb.

How high should a heat lamp be mounted?

Follow the distance in the manufacturer's instructions. Closer mounting gives more intense heat but can dry out or overcook food, while mounting too high lets food cool. Adjustable arms or retractable cords let staff move the lamp to suit different plates and carving boards.

How much do commercial heat lamps cost?

List prices on Norpex range from $135 to $4,785.48 CAD, with a median of $649.99 across 40 priced models; prices are list prices before tax and shipping.

Which brands of commercial heat lamps do you carry?

Norpex lists 40 commercial heat lamps. The brands with the most models listed are Nemco with 16, Cres Cor with 12 and Omcan with 12.

Do you ship commercial heat lamps 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 Heat Lamps in Canada

Heat lamps use infrared bulbs to keep plated food and fried items warm for the short time between the kitchen and the table. Restaurants hang them over the pass, carveries use them at carving stations, and fry stations use them to keep product hot before it is bagged. Lamps are made free-standing, clamp-on or ceiling-hung, with one or more bulbs and adjustable arms or heights.

About commercial heat lamps

Before you buy

Use shatter-resistant or coated bulbs over food, and check what your local health inspector expects near open food.
Measure the area you need to cover and the mounting height, since the manufacturer's recommended distance sets how intense the heat is at the plate.
Check the bulb base and wattage the lamp takes so replacement bulbs are easy to source.
Confirm the lamp's voltage, cord length and switch position suit where it will be mounted or placed.
Compare red and clear bulbs: red bulbs reduce glare, while clear bulbs give brighter light and truer colour.

Common questions

Heat lamp or strip heater: which do I need?: A bulb heat lamp concentrates heat on a small area, which suits a carving station, a single plate or a small pass. A strip heater is a long overhead infrared element that spreads heat along a full pass or holding shelf. Wide passes that hold many plates at once are usually better served by strip heaters.
Why should heat lamp bulbs be shatter-resistant?: A bulb that breaks over food scatters glass into it. Shatter-resistant bulbs have a coating that holds the fragments together if the glass breaks, and food safety rules in many areas call for coated or shielded bulbs above open food. Replace them with the same type, not a standard bulb.
How high should a heat lamp be mounted?: Follow the distance in the manufacturer's instructions. Closer mounting gives more intense heat but can dry out or overcook food, while mounting too high lets food cool. Adjustable arms or retractable cords let staff move the lamp to suit different plates and carving boards.
How much do commercial heat lamps cost?: List prices on Norpex range from $135 to $4,785.48 CAD, with a median of $649.99 across 40 priced models; prices are list prices before tax and shipping.
Which brands of commercial heat lamps do you carry?: Norpex lists 40 commercial heat lamps. The brands with the most models listed are Nemco with 16, Cres Cor with 12 and Omcan with 12.
Do you ship commercial heat lamps 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

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Nemco – 120V Two Bulb Freestanding Heat Lamp with Black Finish – 6000A-2B (ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Nemco – Single Bulb Clamp On Infrared Bulb Food Warmer with Adjustable 2′ Gooseneck – 6004-4 (ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Cres Cor – 60″ Retractable Ceiling Mount Brass Finish Infrared Bulb Food Warmer – EO IFW-63-10-PB (Pre-Order Now, ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Nemco – 120V Three Bulb Portable Countertop Heat Lamp with Tray – 6009-3 (ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Cres Cor – 68″ Retractable Ceiling Mount Nickel Finish Infrared Bulb Food Warmer – EO IFW-63-L-10-PN (Pre-Order Now, ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Nemco – 240V Strip Type Heat Lamp – 6155-48-DL-240 (ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Cres Cor CSH-122-10 Two-Bulb Aluminum Base Carving Station – 120V/1,100W

Commercial Food Heat Lamp Portable Electric Food Warmer 2-Bulb Freestanding, Black- 500W, 110V

Heat Lamp – Ceiling Mount – 30″-80″ Retractable Cord with Black Dome Shade

Nemco – 120V Portable 4 Bulb Countertop Heat Lamp – 6008-4 (ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Nemco – Tray For 6000A-1 And 6000A-2 Infrared Bulb Warmers – 6000A-1 (ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Heat Lamp – Ceiling Mount – 30″-80″ Retractable Cord with Silver Dome Shade

5-Bulb Commercial Portable Heat Lamp, Silver – 5 x 250W, 110V/60Hz/1Ph

Cres Cor – Ceiling Mount Infrared Bulb Food Warmer with Polished Brass Finish and Flexible Cord – IFW6610PB (Pre-Order Now, ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Cres Cor – 120V Polished Brass Portable Heat Lamp – EO IFW-60-GL-10PB (Pre-Order Now, ETA 4-6 Weeks)

3-Bulb Commercial Portable Heat Lamp, Silver – 3 x 250W, 110V/60Hz/1Ph

Nemco – Double Bulb Clamp On Infrared Bulb Food Warmer – 6004-2 (ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Nemco – 120V Suspension Bar Heat Lamp 4 Bulb – 6006-4 (ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Nemco – 120V 36″ Infinite Control Single Element Infrared Heat Lamp – 6151-36-208

Nemco – 120V 36″ Strip Type Heat Lamp Bar Heater with Infinite Temperature Control – 6151-36

2-Bulb Commercial Portable Heat Lamp, Silver – 2 x 250W, 110V/60Hz/1Ph

Nemco – 120V Two Bulb Freestanding Heat Lamp – 6000A-2 (ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Cres Cor – Ceiling Mount Infrared Bulb Food Warmer with Polished Brass Finish and Rigid Stem – IFW6410PB (Pre-Order Now, ETA 4-6 Weeks)

Nemco – 208V Strip Type Heat Lamp – 6150-24-208