A food heat lamp keeps plated or pan food hot between the cook line and the guest. Commercial kitchens use three main kinds: overhead infrared strip warmers (Hatco Glo-Ray and similar), bulb lamps that hang from the ceiling or a track, and portable countertop units with heat above and sometimes below the food. The right choice depends on pass size, wattage, mounting height, voltage and controls. Here is how each works, using models we carry.
Food heat lamp types: strip heater vs bulb heat lamp
Infrared strip warmers are long housings with a metal sheathed heating element and a reflector, mounted under a pass shelf or on stands. Hatco says its GRA Glo-Ray strip heaters use a “pre-focused heat pattern” to hold food at serving temperature. Lengths run from 18 to 144 inches on the GRA spec sheet.
Bulb heat lamps use a 250 watt (or 375 watt high watt) infrared bulb in a decorative shade. Hatco describes its DL decorative lamps as giving “brief foodwarming and attractive presentation” at pickup stations and serving points. Each lamp heats one spot, so a long pass needs several lamps or a strip.
Portable countertop warmers plug into a standard outlet. Hatco’s GRFFB has an infrared element above and a heated base with a preset thermostat below. Nemco’s 6008 series uses a row of 250 watt infrared bulbs over the counter.
| Type | Example we carry | Heat source and power | Best for | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard watt strip, dual | Hatco GRA-48D | Two 48 in elements, 1,600 W, 120V, toggle | Deeper pass shelves | $774.95 |
| High watt strip, dual | Hatco GRAH-48D | 2,200 W, 208V, toggle | Higher mounting, busy lines | $767.25 |
| Curved strip, front of house | Hatco GR5A-36 | 575 W, remote infinite control | Buffet and serving lines | $584.10 |
| Curved strip with LED lights | Hatco GR5AL-36 | 584 W, 208V, LED lights, control box included | Display areas where light matters | $1,778.15 |
| Lighted strip, toggle | APW Wyott FDL-30L-T | 30 in tubular element, 530 W, toggle | Short pass windows | $620.00 |
| Bulb lamp, track mount | Hatco DL-500-RTL | Standard watt bulb (250 W max), retractable cord | Single plates, carving and pickup spots | $511.50 |
| Bulb lamp, ceiling mount | Hatco DL-775-RL | Standard watt bulb (250 W max), retractable cord | Decor-forward stations | $569.80 |
| Portable, heat above and below | Hatco GRFFB | 750 W, 120V plug-in | Counter holding of fried or pan food | $694.65 |
| Portable ceramic, lighted | Hatco UGFFBL | Ceramic element plus heated base, 1,120 W (Hatco spec), 120V | Same, with lit display | $922.90 |
| Portable bulb unit | Nemco 6008-4 | Four 250 W bulbs, 1,000 W, 120V | Flexible counter placement | $712.80 |
Prices as listed in October 2026. Many Hatco warmers come in several colors; we link one listing per model. See all models on our Hatco brand page.
GR5A vs GR5AL: why one costs three times more
The GR5A-36 and GR5AL-36 look alike and have nearly the same wattage (575 W vs 584 W per Hatco’s spec sheets), but the GR5AL is a different product. Per the GR5AL spec sheet, it adds energy efficient dual LED lights across the whole length (warm white standard, with cool or switchable dual color options) and ships with a remote control box (RMB5-1R) that has an electronic infinite control adjustable from 0 to 100 percent, a power toggle, an indicator light and the LED driver. The plain GR5A is heat only. Hatco’s own 2025 list prices show the same kind of gap between the two, so the difference on our site is not a typo.
How to size a food warmer for your pass
- Match length to the holding area. Choose a strip about as long as the row of plates or pans you hold at once. Hatco builds the GR5A from 18 to 72 inches in 6 inch steps.
- Use a dual unit for deep shelves. Hatco’s GR5A manual puts the heat pattern of a single strip at about 12 inches deep, depending on mounting height. If your pass is deeper than that, a dual (two element) model like the GRA-48D covers more depth.
- Standard vs high watt. On the GRA spec sheet a 36 inch standard unit is 575 W and the 36 inch high watt GRAH-36 is 800 W. By our math that is roughly 190 vs 265 watts per foot. High watt lets you mount higher (more working room for staff), but Hatco requires high watt units to be installed in non-combustible surroundings only.
How high to mount a food warmer
These are Hatco’s recommended element heights above the food, from its Glo-Ray strip heater manual and GR5A series manual:
| Model family | Standard watt | High watt |
|---|---|---|
| GRA single strip | 8 to 11 in | 11 to 14 in |
| GRA dual strip | 10 to 14 in | 14 to 18 in |
| GR5A / GR5AL curved | 11 to 13 in (combustible), 10 to 13 in (non-combustible) | 13 to 16 in (non-combustible only) |
For bulb lamps, Hatco’s DL manual sets minimum clearances: a standard 250 W lamp must sit at least 16 inches above a combustible surface or 5 inches above a non-combustible one, and a 375 W high watt lamp needs 27 or 17 inches. For even heat from several lamps, Hatco says to space them 12 inches on center. If heat is excessive, Hatco says to raise the unit.
Heat lamp for food holding temperature: hold, do not reheat
The FDA Food Code (section 3-501.16) says hot time/temperature control for safety food must be held at 135°F (57°C) or above, with a 130°F exception for certain roasts. Reheating for hot holding is a separate rule (3-403.11) that generally requires 165°F. You can read both in the FDA Food Code 2022. Your local health department enforces its own adopted version.
A heat lamp is not a reheating tool. Hatco’s GR5A manual states the unit “is for holding pre-heated food product only,” and tells operators to let the warmer run 30 minutes to reach operating temperature before placing food under it. Heat food first, then check it with a probe thermometer while it holds.
Voltage, controls and lights
- Voltage: GRA and GR5A strips are single phase, built for 120, 208 or 240V; order the one that matches your circuit. The GRFFB, UGFFBL and Nemco 6008-4 are 120V plug-in units. Hatco’s track adapter for DL lamps is 120V only.
- Toggle vs infinite: A toggle is on or off (Hatco rates it to 15 amps). An infinite control lets you dial heat up or down, is rated up to 12.2 amps, and Hatco recommends a remote enclosure placed outside the heat zone. Hatco also notes that 120V GRA models 84 inches and longer need tandem elements to use an infinite switch.
- Lighted vs unlighted: Lighted models add display light over the food; Hatco says the GR5AL LEDs run at about 3050K for warm light coverage. Use only bulbs made for food areas: Hatco warns that uncoated bulbs can shatter and contaminate food, and Nemco lists shatter-resistant bulbs as an option. Hatco DL lamps ship without a bulb, so budget for one.
Our commercial kitchen equipment guide covers what to buy first, and our guides to drop-in cold food wells and commercial ice makers for small restaurants cover the cold side.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a strip heater and a bulb heat lamp?
A strip heater spreads infrared heat evenly along a long pass and is made for steady holding. A bulb heat lamp concentrates heat on one spot and, in Hatco’s words, is for brief food warming with a decorative look.
Is an infrared food warmer the same as a heat lamp?
Both use infrared heat. The term usually means a strip unit with a metal sheathed or ceramic element, while “heat lamp” often means a bulb fixture, but the names overlap.
What temperature should food be held at under a heat lamp?
The FDA Food Code calls for 135°F or above for hot held TCS food. Check with a thermometer.
How high should I mount a food warmer?
For a single Hatco GRA strip, 8 to 11 inches for standard watt and 11 to 14 inches for high watt, per Hatco’s manual. Also meet Hatco’s minimum clearances.
Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight; smaller orders ship for a flat $200, and returns follow our return and refund policy. Need help choosing? Call us at 866-777-2590 (Mon to Fri, 9AM to 6PM PST).
