Businesses in the catering, hospitality, and food industries need many catering equipment items to successfully run their businesses. The type of commercial kitchen supplies a business needs depends on many factors, including the type and size of their business and the food they serve to their customers. For those who serve soup, catering soup kettles are one of the most important pieces of cooking equipment.
A catering soup kettle is a piece of kitchen equipment that keeps large quantities of soup warm. It allows those in the catering industry to make the soup at the beginning of the day, then keeps it warm to serve it directly from the soup kettle to their customers.
It is a piece of catering equipment that is useful to a wide range of businesses, from restaurants and cafes to hotels and food trucks. If you have one of these businesses and need to buy a soup kettle for catering, then you will find many different products on the market. Each of these has its own pros, cons, and features, so they will each suit different people’s needs.
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Finding the Best Catering Soup Kettle to Meet Your Needs
To help you find the best catering soup kettle to meet your needs, we have identified some of the top products on the market and then written reviews of the best catering soup kettles available. We have also included a useful soup kettle buying guide and a comparison chart of the different soup kettles we have reviewed.
Please note, the following article is about soup kettles for catering. For making soup at home, you might also like to read our buying guide and reviews of the best soup makers.
Catering Soup Kettle Buying Guide
There are significant differences between the catering soup kettles on the market, so you need to compare the features of each. Our soup kettle buying guide outlines some of the features to consider and then we have summarized these in an easy-to-read comparison chart.
Hopefully, this will help you to find the best soup kettle for catering to suit your needs. The following are the main features to consider when choosing a commercial soup maker.
Capacity and Size: What Size Catering Soup Kettle Should You Choose?
The size and capacity of a catering soup kettle are two of the most important considerations. Some points to consider are:
- Quantity of soup: How much soup do you need to make every day? How many customers do you have? The more soup you sell, then the larger the capacity you need. It is useful to note that a typical serving of soup is between 250 ml and 300ml, so a 10-litre commercial soup maker holds between 33 and 40 servings of soup.
- Space available: The space you have available also makes a difference to the size of soup kettle for catering that you choose. If you have a food truck with a small counter, then you will probably need a small catering soup kettle that does not take up too much space. On the other hand, if you have a large kitchen in a restaurant, you will not mind if a large catering soup tureen takes up room in your kitchen.
- Cost: Often, a large catering soup kettle will cost more than a small catering soup kettle.
Functions: What Functions Does Your Catering Soup Kettle Need?
It is also important to look at the functions of a soup kettle. Some typical features include:
- Heat settings: The heat settings are probably the most important feature on catering soup kettles, and the number of heat settings can vary.
- Blending: Some catering soup kettles have a blending feature, which prevents the soup from settling on the bottom where it will become thick, while the thinner liquids rise to the top of the soup. This feature means that the soup is consistent in terms of flavour and consistency throughout the day.
- Hinged lids: A hinged lid is a useful feature as it means you do not need additional countertop space to put your lid while you are serving soup.
Value for Money: Is It Worth Paying More for a Catering Soup Kettle?
For many people, the price of a catering soup kettle is one of the deciding factors when choosing a product to buy. Here are some points to consider relating to this piece of catering equipment’s price and whether they offer value for money.
- Factors that affect the price: There are many factors that impact the price of a soup kettle for catering. These may include the brand, size, materials, quality, and features.
- Price: The price of soup kettles can vary significantly. An expensive soup kettle is not necessarily better than a cheap catering soup kettle.
- Warranties and guarantees: The initial price you pay is not the only consideration relating to value for money. Whether a product comes with a guarantee or warranty also makes a difference. If a company sells items with a warranty or guarantee, then it shows they have confidence that their product will stand the test of time. It also reassures you that you will receive replacement parts or a new product if the item fails in any way.
Please note: Super Souper Ed is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co.uk.
Catering Soup Kettle Comparison Chart
| Product Name | Best Feature | Size (cm), Weight (kg), and Capacity (L) | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Black Soup Kettle | Two-part construction for easy cleaning | 34.5 x 36 x 34.5 cm 4.29 kg 10-litres | 2 years warranty for parts and labour |
| SYBO SB-6000-2G Commercial Grade Soup Kettle | Electric stovetop compatibility | 39.88 x 35.56 x 34.8 cm 5.53 kg 11.93-litres | 30 days refund or replacement, and two-year replacement warranty |
| CellDeal 10l Chafing Dish Soup Kettle | Hinged lid with soup ladle groove | 34 x 30.5 x 30.5 cm 5 kg 10-litres | Cheapest catering soup kettle |
| Buffalo Red Soup Kettle with Handles 5.7l | Space-saving, lightweight option | 35.4 x 27.8 x 27.2 cm 3.4 kg 5.7-litres | Two years warranty for parts and labour |
| Oypla 10l 400W Electric Soup Kettle | Hardwearing iron outer pot | 37 x 37 x 38 cm 5.2 kg 10-litres | 100% satisfaction guarantee and hassle-free returns |
| Hendi 860502 Soup Kettle | Digital settings display | 41 x 40 x 35 cm 3.93 kg 8-litres | Mid-price product |
| Royal Catering Electric Soup Kettle | Largest capacity | 38 x 38 x 40 cm 5 kg 13-litres | Defective item replacement within six months of purchase |
| Dualit L360 Economy Hotpot Soup Kettle | Easy to use | 41.2 x 35.4 x 35.2 cm 4.5 kg 10-litres | Defective item replacement within six months of purchase |
| Zodiac SB-6000-K Soup Kettle Black 10l | Food labels provided | 39.4 x 35.6 x 34.8 cm 5.7 kg 10-litres | Defective item replacement within six months of purchase |
| Buffalo Stainless Steel Soup Kettle 10l Commercial Electric Jug | 12 heat settings | 33 x 33 x 37.5 cm 4.4 kg 10-litres | One year commercial warranty |
Reviews of the Best Catering Soup Kettles
To help you find the best catering soup kettle on the market, we have reviewed some of the best commercial soup kettles. We have based our reviews on the feedback from customers, the product ratings, and also each product’s different features. We have summarized this information, and written list of what we love about each product along with what we think could improve. From our research, the following are the best soup kettles for catering available now.
1. Buffalo Black Soup Kettle 10l
Features
The Buffalo Black Soup Kettle is stainless steel with a black finish. Stainless steel is a durable material that will not rust, and it also gives the product a smart appearance.
There are ten heat settings on an easy-to-use dial control, and it has a temperature range of 35-degrees Celsius to 95-degrees Celsius. Therefore, you can choose the best heat setting for your soup, curries, or stews. It has a gentle wet heat operation that prevents the food from burning. However, some customers say it takes a while to heat up.
One of the best features of this catering soup kettle is that it has a two-part construction, so you can remove the inner pot for easy cleaning.
Another feature of the soup kettle is its hinged lid, which saves space on the countertop, and makes it easy to serve the soup without burning yourself or letting the soup cool down.
An unusual feature is a space for labelling on the exterior of the soup kettle. It is ideal for those who serve several soups or use the soup kettles for a variety of dishes, such as soups and stews. Adding a label makes it easy to identify the contents of the soup urns.
Size, Weight, and Capacity
Its capacity of 10-litres is comparable with five other of the products we have reviewed, and this is enough for between 33 and 40 servings of soup. This soup kettle is the third-lightest in the review, so it is a good option if you intend to move the soup kettle around often.
Value for Money
The Buffalo Black Soup Kettle is the equal third-cheapest catering soup kettle we have reviewed. It comes with a two-year warranty for parts and labour.
| What We Like | What Could Improve |
|---|---|
| Easy to clean | Takes a while to warm up |
| Hinged lid | |
| Various heat settings |
2. SYBO SB-6000-2G Commercial Grade Soup Kettle
Features
SYBO is a brand that has more than 30 years of experience in both stainless steel production and manufacturing kitchen appliances.
The SYBO SB-6000-2G Commercial Grade Soup Kettle is a quality stainless steel product that is ETL Intertek Certified, which means it is tested for quality and safety.
One of the best features of this soup kettle is that you can use it plugged in on a countertop, but it is also compatible for use on an electric stovetop. It is also easy to clean as the dishwasher-friendly inner pot is removable for cleaning.
You can use this soup kettle for both soup and other hot foods, as there are 12 heat settings on an adjustable dial. It also has a keep-warm function and an automatic shut-off for safety.
Size, Weight, and Capacity
This soup kettle for catering has the second-largest capacity of the products reviewed at 11.93 litres. It is also the second-heaviest of the soup kettles in the review, which reflects its larger size.
Value for Money
It is a mid-priced product as it is the equal fifth of the products reviewed in terms of price. This soup kettle also comes with a 30-day refund or replacement offer, and a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
| What We Like | What Could Improve |
|---|---|
| Compatible with electric stovetop | Bulky item |
| Large capacity | |
| Dishwasher-friendly |
3. CellDeal 10l Chafing Dish Soup Kettle
Features
Stainless steel is the primary material of the CellDeal 10l Chafing Dish Soup Kettle, so it is a durable and heavy-duty product that is ideal for commercial settings or for cooking for a large family. It is also rust-proof and tested for suitability for food preparation.
There is an adjustable heat setting dial, with five heat settings from 35-degrees Celsius to 80-degrees Celsius. Although there are fewer heat settings than most of the other catering soup kettles reviewed, there are enough settings to serve a variety of foods, not just soup.
One of the best features of this soup kettle is the hinged lid, which has a groove for the soup ladle. It is a feature that reduces mess and saves space, as you do not need to put the lid or the ladle on the work surface. You can also remove the inner pot for easy cleaning.
Size, Weight, and Capacity
The 10-litre capacity of this soup kettle is comparable with five other products reviewed, so it will meet the needs of most people who use this type of kitchen equipment. It is the equal fourth-heaviest of the soup kettles reviewed, at 5 kg.
Value for Money
If you are looking for a cheap catering soup kettle, then the CellDeal 10l Chafing Dish Soup Kettle is a good option for you, as it is the cheapest of the soup kettles reviewed. No warranty information is provided for this product.
| What We Like | What Could Improve |
|---|---|
| Hinged lid with groove for ladle | Limited heat settings |
| Cheapest catering soup kettle reviewed | |
| Durable materials |
4. Buffalo Red Soup Kettle with Handles 5.7l
Features
As the stainless steel of this soup kettle is coated in red, it is a funky looking item. The stainless steel means it is also a durable item that can withstand repeated use in a busy commercial kitchen.
This soup kettle has handles, so it is easy to move to different positions on a countertop. It also has a hinged lid, which means you will not take up work surface when you remove the lid to serve the soup.
You control the 12 heat settings using a simple, adjustable dial on the soup kettle’s front. The different heat settings mean you can use this piece of kitchen equipment for various types of food.
Size, Weight, and Capacity
It has the smallest capacity of all the products reviewed, which means it is best-suited to a catering business with limited space and fewer customers who buy soup.
Similarly, it is the smallest and lightest of the products reviewed, which means it is a good option for mobile catering where space is limited, and the business owner needs a small catering soup kettle.
Value for Money
The Buffalo Red Soup Kettle with Handles 5.7l is the equal third-cheapest soup kettle in the review. Like all Buffalo products, it comes with a two-year warranty for parts and labour.
| What We Like | What Could Improve |
|---|---|
| Space-saving soup kettle | Small capacity |
| Handles for easy moving | Unclear instruction manual |
| Hinged lid |
5. Oypla 10l 400W Electric Soup Kettle
Features
One of the best features of this soup kettle is the durable materials from which it is made. The outer pot is made from hardwearing iron, while the inner pot is made from rust-resistant stainless steel.
There is an adjustable dial with five heat settings, ranging from 35-degrees Celsius and 80-degrees Celsius. It has a thermostat that ensures the catering soup kettle maintains the same temperature throughout service. However, some customers have reported that the heat settings dial is a little flimsy.
A hinged lid means that you will not need to take up additional work surface by removing the lid during serving, and this will also reduce mess.
Size, Weight, and Capacity
At 10-litres, the capacity of this soup kettle is comparable with five other products in this review. Therefore, it offers a reasonable capacity as it can hold up to 40 servings of soup. This soup kettle is the third-heaviest reviewed, at 5.2 kg.
Value for Money
The Oypla 10l 400W Electric Soup Kettle offers good value for money. Not only is it the second-cheapest of the products in this review. The product also comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and the manufacturer promises hassle-free returns.
| What We Like | What Could Improve |
|---|---|
| Hardwearing iron outer pot | Flimsy heat settings dial |
| Good value for money | |
| Hinged lid |
6. Hendi 860502 Soup Kettle
Features
One of the best features of this soup kettle is the digital settings and display. It is easy to use and goes up or down by one degree for each click on the arrows. Customers say that the catering soup kettle warms up quickly and that it maintains a constant heat throughout service.
The soup kettle has a hinged lid with a groove for the soup ladle, and this reduces the likelihood of mess on your work surfaces. It is also easy to clean, as the inner pot is removable.
Size, Weight, and Capacity
At 3.93 kg, this soup kettle is the second-lightest in the review. Therefore, it is a good option for mobile catering if you need to move the soup tureen from one surface to another.
With a capacity of eight litres, the Henli Soup Kettle has the second-lowest capacity, so it is best-suited to smaller catering and food businesses.
At 41 x 40 centimetres, the pot takes up a little more worktop space than the other items in this list, but it is shorter than most other soup kettles on this list at 35 centimetres.
Value for Money
It is the fourth most-expensive product in the review, although it is still an affordable item. The manufacturer does not list warrant information for their product, although Amazon conditions for returns apply.
| What We Like | What Could Improve |
|---|---|
| Digital settings and display | Smaller than average capacity |
| Warms soup quickly | |
| Hinged lid with groove soup ladle |
7. Royal Catering Electric Soup Kettle
Features
The outer pot is made from coated steel for durability, while the inner pot is rust-resistant stainless steel. For easy cleaning, the inner pot is removable.
A hinged lid means that it is easy to serve the soup and also that you will not take up extra work surface by removing the lid. One of the best features of this catering soup kettle is its cool-touch handle, which prevents burns when serving soup.
Size, Weight, and Capacity
At 13-litres, this soup kettle has the largest capacity of the catering soup kettles in this review. Therefore, it is a good option for larger kitchens and catering companies. The overall size of this large catering soup kettle reflects its greater capacity. However, it is not significantly heavier despite its size, as it is the equal fourth-heaviest soup kettle at 5 kg.
Value for Money
The Royal Catering Electric Soup Kettle is the second-most expensive soup kettle in this review, but the price reflects the larger size. It has a standard replacement guarantee if there are faults within six months of purchase, which offers some reassurance to consumers.
| What We Like | What Could Improve |
|---|---|
| Hinged lid with cool touch handle for safety | Limited heat range |
| Large capacity | Only a six-month guarantee |
| Easy to use |
8. Dualit L369 Economy Hotpot Soup Kettle
Features
One of the best features of this soup kettle is that it is so easy to use. It has a simple dial to adjust the heat, and there is a total of 12 heat settings. There is a light to indicate when the soup tureen has reached the right temperature.
The soup kettle has a smart appearance, as the stainless steel of the soup kettle’s body is coated in graphite, while the round stainless steel lid is uncoated. There is a groove in the lid to sit the soup ladle. and this reduces mess during serving.
Size, Weight, and Capacity
This soup kettle has a capacity of 10-litres, which is the same as five other catering soup kettles in this review. In terms of weight, it is the fifth-lightest of the soup kettles reviewed. So, it is not too bulky to move around.
Value for Money
The Dualit L369 Electric Soup Kettle is the third-most-expensive soup kettle in the review, and it is also the most expensive of the soup kettles with a 10-litre capacity. You can get a replacement item on this item if there is a deficiency within six months of purchase.
| What We Like | What Could Improve |
|---|---|
| Easy to use heat setting dial | Only a six-month guarantee |
| Smart appearance | Expensive for the size |
| Groove in the lid for a soup ladle |
9. Zodiac SB6000-K Soup Kettle Black 10l
Features
One of the best features of the Zodiac SB-6000-K Soup Kettle is that it comes with food labels. It means that you can serve various types of soup or other hot dishes from the tureen, and the label will identify the contents.
Additional features of the soup kettle include a hinged lid with a cool-touch handle and rounded feet that prevent the catering soup kettle from sitting directly on the countertop.
Size, Weight, and Capacity
With a capacity of 10-litres, the capacity of this soup kettle is comparable with five other soup kettles in this review. However, it is the heaviest of the soup kettles reviewed, despite not having one of the larger capacities.
Value for Money
The Zodiac SB-6000-K Soup Kettle Black 10l is the fourth-most expensive product, so it is a mid-priced catering soup kettle. Amazon conditions for returns apply, so you can replace defective items within six months of purchase.
| What We Like | What Could Improve |
|---|---|
| Food labels provided | Heavy and bulky |
| Hinged lid and rounded feet | Short warranty |
| Smart design |
10. Buffalo Stainless Steel Soup Kettle 10l Commercial Electric Jug
Features
There are 12 heat settings on this soup kettle, and it is one of its best features. Therefore, you can choose the most appropriate heat setting for the food you are serving. The maximum heat setting on the soup kettle is 98-degrees Celsius, which is one of the hottest settings of all the soup kettles reviewed. It is easy to adjust the heat settings using the simple dial at the front of the product.
The Buffalo Stainless Steel Soup Kettle 10l Commercial Electric Jug has a smart and modern design, and there is a hinged lid. Although the hinged lid is a handy feature as it makes serving the soup safer and less messy, the opening is only small.
Size, Weight, and Capacity
With a capacity of 10-litres, this soup kettle’s capacity is comparable with five other soup kettles for catering included in this review. It is the fourth-lightest soup kettle reviewed, so it is not too heavy to move around the kitchen or from one location to the next.
Value for Money
The Buffalo Stainless Steel Soup Kettle 10l Commercial Electric Jug is the fourth cheapest soup kettle in the review, so it offers good value for money. It also comes with a one-year commercial warranty, so the manufacturers have confidence in the product’s quality and durability.
| What We Like | What Could Improve |
|---|---|
| 12 heat settings | Small opening |
| Smart appearance | |
| Good value for money |
Catering Soup Kettle FAQs
What is a soup kettle?
Soup kettles are also known as soup tureens, soup urns, and soup warmers. They are a piece of kitchen equipment that keeps soup or other hot liquids warm. A commercial soup kettle is a common piece of kitchen equipment in various commercial settings. Not only are they used by cafes and restaurants, but they are also used in hotels and by events caterers and food trucks.
How much do catering soup kettles hold?
Most catering soup kettles have a capacity of between six and 12 litres, says Nisbets. However, some have a smaller or larger capacity to meet different needs. The most typical size of catering soup kettle you will find is 10-litres.
Are there any risks to using catering soup kettles?
Using a soup kettle is relatively risk-free, and many soup kettles have additional safety features. However, it is an electrical piece of kitchen equipment that contains hot liquids, so they carry the same risks as anything involving hot liquids or electricity. If you take sensible safety measures and follow the instructions, then the likelihood of injury is low.
How do you use catering soup kettles?
Soup kettles for catering may differ in how to use them, so you must always follow the instructions. However, in most cases, you cook the soup first in a pan, then add the hot soup to the soup kettle. Catering soup kettles usually have different heat settings, so you set the equipment to your chosen heat setting, and it will keep the soup warm all day.
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