Portable bain maries for Australian cafes, caterers and canteens — benchtop and countertop food warmers that hold gastronorm pans of cooked food at safe serving temperature wherever there's a power point. This range covers compact counter-top hot units, cold-well variants and event-ready warmers from Roband, Apuro, Woodson and Benchstar. Running a permanent hot servery instead? See our floor-standing hot bain maries, or cold bain maries for chilled display.
Who portable bain maries are for
If you serve hot food in batches — curries, roasts, pasta, breakfast trays — a benchtop bain marie holds it ready without an oven ticking over. Cafes and takeaways run countertop units behind the counter at lunch; caterers carry portable warmers to functions because they plug into a standard outlet; school canteens and club kitchens like them because the food court can move with the service. The "portable" part is real: these are units one or two staff can lift, set up and pack down.
What's in scope
Benchtop hot bain maries
Counter units with heated wells holding gastronorm pans — from single-pan warmers to six-pan-plus units sized for a full lunch service.
Countertop cold bain maries
Chilled-well counterparts for salads, dressings and cold sides, letting one counter run hot and cold lines side by side.
Round-pot and specialty warmers
Units sized for round pots of soup, gravy and sauces rather than rectangular GN pans.
How to choose a portable bain marie in three steps
Picking the right benchtop bain marie comes down to three questions, in order.
Step 1 — Hot, cold or both?
Match the unit to the line you're serving: heated wells for hot mains and sides, chilled wells for salads and desserts. If your counter serves both, plan two units rather than compromising one.
Step 2 — Count your gastronorm pans
List the dishes you hold at peak and convert to GN pans — a typical lunch service might need four to six 1/2 or 1/3 pans. Bain maries are sized by pan configuration and depth, so start from your menu, not the cabinet dimensions.
Step 3 — Check power and placement
Most benchtop bain maries run from a standard 10-amp outlet, which is what makes them genuinely portable for events and temporary serveries. Confirm the bench space, and for wet-well models allow for filling and draining water between services.
Venue fit
Takeaways and cafes run a benchtop unit through the lunch rush; caterers pack a portable warmer per food station; canteens pair a hot unit with a cold-well counterpart. Browse by brand — Roband and Apuro both feature heavily in this range. For full hot counters with display, compare our hot food displays range.
A portable bain marie is a benchtop or countertop food warmer with heated wells that hold gastronorm pans of cooked food at safe serving temperature. Unlike floor-standing hot serveries, portable units run from a standard power outlet and can be lifted, moved and packed down — which makes them the standard choice for caterers, canteens and counter service.
What's the difference between a wet and dry bain marie?
A wet bain marie heats a water bath under the pans, giving gentle, even heat that keeps sauces and rice from drying out, but needs filling and draining. A dry bain marie heats the wells directly with elements — quicker to set up and move, better for events, though it can dry delicate food faster. Check each product page for which system the model uses.
What temperature does a bain marie keep food at?
Australian food-safety guidance requires hot-held food to stay at 60°C or above, and commercial bain maries are thermostatically controlled to hold pans in that safe zone. A bain marie is a holding unit, not a cooker — load it with food that's already properly heated through.
What size bain marie do I need?
Size by gastronorm pan count: list the dishes you hold at your busiest service and convert them to GN pan fractions (1/1, 1/2, 1/3) at the depth you use. Compact units hold one or two pans for a small counter, while larger benchtop models hold six or more pans for a full lunch line.
Can I use a portable bain marie at events and markets?
Yes — that's their core use case. Most benchtop models plug into a standard 10-amp outlet, so they run anywhere with ordinary power, and one or two staff can carry and set them up. For mobile serving lines, bain marie trolleys put the warmer on castors with a service shelf.
Do you deliver portable bain maries across Australia?
Yes. Commercial Kitchen Store ships nationwide, and Australian-based phone support is available on 1300 111 901 if you need help matching a unit to your service. For cover details, see our warranty and service information.
Designed specifically for wet operation, the Woodson Countertop Bain Marie features a hygienic stainless steel construction. Fitting 2/1 gastronorm size pans up to 150mm deep, this unit is able to accommodate a variety of foods, enabling adaptability to any situation. With a satin #4 finish, this is an attractive and efficient unit, guaranteeing high performance levels and reliability.Features:
Features a mechanical themostat temperature control and a temperature gauge for absolute heating control
Non slip feet enable safe usage
Alternate pan combinations are available however they must be purchased separately
Suitable for wet or dry operation however wet operation is advised
Dimensions of 705 x 600 x 290mm
Electrical rating of 1.5kW - 10A
Product Dimensions: 705(W) x 576(D) x 290(H)mmPlease note, stock availability will be confirmed at the time of placing your order. Unfortunately this supplier is unable to provide us with a stock report and we are required to manually confirm stock availability for each item. We apologize for the inconvenience. Feel free to contact us prior to ordering if you prefer us to confirm availability first. Thank you for your understanding
Hold food at serving temperature with the convenience and style of a Roband counter top bain marie. With a comprehensive range of sizes and pan combinations, there is a counter top unit to suit every situation.Features: Stainless steel construction Dura-life stainless steel elements for prolonged element life Slimline thermometer Designed to take many combinations of gastronorm pans up to 150 mm deep Removable cross bar on BM4 model range only 1, 2 or 4 pan models available. 2 pan configuration available in narrow or wide footprint Double skin tank Safety lock ball valve drain on BM2, BM21 and BM4 models This product uses a 10A plugProduct Dimensions: 680(W) X 560(D) X 320(H)mm
Hold food at serving temperature with the convenience and style of a Roband counter top bain marie. With a comprehensive range of sizes and pan combinations, there is a counter top unit to suit every situation.Features: Stainless steel construction Dura-life stainless steel elements for prolonged element life Slimline thermometer Designed to take many combinations of gastronorm pans up to 150 mm deep Removable cross bar on BM4 model range only 1, 2 or 4 pan models available. 2 pan configuration available in narrow or wide footprint Double skin tank Safety lock ball valve drain on BM2, BM21 and BM4 models This product uses a 10A plugProduct Dimensions: 680(W) X 560(D) X 320(H)mm
Hold food at serving temperature with the convenience and style of a Roband counter top bain marie. With a comprehensive range of sizes and pan combinations, there is a counter top unit to suit every situation.Features: Stainless steel construction Dura-life stainless steel elements for prolonged element life Slimline thermometer Designed to take many combinations of gastronorm pans up to 150 mm deep Removable cross bar on BM4 model range only 1, 2 or 4 pan models available. 2 pan configuration available in narrow or wide footprint Double skin tank Safety lock ball valve drain on BM2, BM21 and BM4 models This product uses a 10A plugProduct Dimensions: 680(W) X 560(D) X 320(H)mm
Sale Woodson 2/1GN size Benchtop Bain Marie W.BML21 $1,109.00 
Sale Roband Counter Top Bain Marie 6 x 1/3 size 100mm pans $1,135.00 
Sale Roband Counter Top Bain Marie 4 x 200mm round pots $1,181.00 
Sale Roband Counter Top Bain Marie 6 x 1/3 size 150mm pans $1,206.00 
