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Gravy boats are used in restaurants and food services to serve primarily sauces and gravies. They are also used for salad dressings and syrups. They provide a way to enhance dishes by serving the sauce in an attractive container.
The best commercial gravy boats are made of stainless steel, stoneware, porcelain, and china. The type of gravy boats you will need depends on the type of restaurant and who you serve. Stainless steel gravy boats are durable and easy to clean. They do not break easily and are suited to serving children and adults. Stoneware, porcelain, and china are more suited to serving older teens, college kids, and adults.
They are boat-shaped pitchers with a spout to pour gravy or sauces and a handle to hold while pouring. Most do not come with a cover or top. There are some brands that make gravy boats with lids and insulated that keep gravy and sauces hot. This adds a safety factor when serving customers too. The article will explore brands for commercial use without lids and those with lids in two different sections.
Types of Gravy Boats
Stainless steel gravy boats
Stainless steel gravy boats come in different sizes and have a boat shape with a spout for pouring sauce and gravy. The sauce or gravy should be heated on the stove or in the microwave and poured into the gravy boat. It should never be heated itself as it is a serving container. When you order gravy boats, they should be washed with warm water and soap, rinsed, and dried before using.
Most are dishwasher safe but some rust occasionally from the heat, cleaners, and humidity of dishwashers. It is recommended that you remove them before the drying cycles and dry them with a towel to prevent the metal from corroding. Do not use wire brushes, steel wool, or abrasive cleaners on them. The stainless steel gravy boats should be polished occasionally with a recommended commercial polish.
Check with the manufacturer to find out the percentage of stainless steel and nickel used in the product. Those marked 18/10 or 18/8 are more rust-resistant. Some use no nickel and may be more likely to rust in the dishwasher.
Gravy boats without lids are generally suited to older teens, young adults, and seniors who know how to use them safely. Some stainless steel gravy boats come with lids and are insulated. This is a good option for restaurants that serve children and adults too. They are safer to use and help to prevent accidents that may occur from misuse. Stainless steel gravy boats can be used for salad dressing, dessert sauces, and syrups. They come in 3 oz to 16-ounce sizes.
Stoneware gravy boats
Stoneware gravy boats come in different designs and colors. They are most often open with no cover. Stoneware has superior heat retention and distribution. It can be put in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. For safest results heat sauces in the microwave or stovetop and pour into the gravy boat.
It can be washed with warm water and soap, rinsed, and dried, or put in the dishwasher for safe cleaning. The attractive designs are suited to upscale restaurants, diners, bistros, and specialty venues.
A tip to keep gravy hot is to pour some hot water into the gravy boat before adding the hot gravy. Dump out the water add the gravy and it will stay hot longer. This is important for customers that want hot gravy or sauce with their meal.
Porcelain or ceramic
Porcelain or ceramic gravy boats come in white quite often and some have a serving dish below it. Many come in a variety of colors and with decorative patterns. The difference is the make of the clay used to make the gravy boat and the temperature it is fired at in the ovens. The classic white gravy boat can be used in diners, cafeterias, upscale restaurants, and banquet halls. Most are safe to wash in the dishwasher and safe to heat in the microwave. The can be put in the refrigerator or freezer too. They come in different sizes and some in bold colors and patterns.
Recommended Gravy Boats Without Lids
American Metalcraft
American Metalcraft makes stainless steel gravy boats and white porcelain for the foodservice industry. They come in different sizes 5 0z – 16 ozs. The metal gravy boats have a tapered spout and a looped handle. It is easy to use and the hot sauces should be heated on the stove or microwaved in a separate container and poured into the gravy boat.
The stainless steel gravy boats occasionally rust. It should be washed and dried by hand. The porcelain gravy boat has a tapered spout and rounded handle and is white. It can be washed in the dishwasher and microwaved to heat gravies up safely. The porcelain gravy boats come in different sizes.
Both can be used for gravy, sauces, salad dressing, and syrups. The product is sold online on the company website and at the restaurant supply stores. They are manufactured in the United States.
Pros:
- Stainless steel gravy boats come in different sizes
- Stainless steel is durable and well constructed
- Porcelain can be washed in the dishwasher and microwaved to heat up sauces
- Both come in different sizes
- Both are made in the US
Cons:
- Stainless steel cannot be heated in a microwave or on the stove
- Stainless steel sometimes rusts it is recommended to wash and dry it by hand.
- Porcelain may break if dropped or banged.
- When heated in the microwave it is too hot to touch
Vollrath
Vollrath makes a variety of stainless steel gravy boats from 3 oz. – 8 ozs that have a shiny finish and boat shape. They have handles and a pouring spout that makes them easy to pour.
They can be washed with warm soap and water, rinsed, and dried to clean. They are dishwasher safe but sometimes rust. Washing by hand and drying is recommended. Gravy should be heated on the stove or microwaved and poured into the container. The gravy boat should not be heated or put in the microwave.
The products are made in the United States. They sell the products on the company website and through restaurant supply stores in the United States and online.
Pros:
- Made of stainless steel retains heat and cold
- Easy to use and clean
- Can be used for hot gravy, sauces, and salad dressings
- Reasonably priced and comes in several sizes
- Made in the United States
Cons:
- Cannot be heated on a stove or in the microwave
- Holds heat for short periods of time.
- Might rust occasionally wash and dry by hand recommended.
Winco
Winco makes stainless steel gravy boats from 3 oz. -16 ozs. They have easy pour spouts and easy-to-grab handles. They can be used for hot gravy and sauces, salad dressing, and syrups. The stainless steel construction is well made and the product is made in the US.
They cannot be heated in the microwave or stove. Hot sauces should be heated and poured into them. They sometimes rust and washing by hand and drying are recommended. The product is sold on their website, restaurant supply stores, and on Amazon.com
Pros:
- Come in different sizes
- Made in the United States
- It can be used for hot sauces, salad dressings, and syrups.
- Made of durable stainless steel
Cons:
- Cannot be heated in the oven or microwave
- Sometimes rusts in dishwashers recommended you wash by hand and dry
Fiesta
Fiesta makes ceramic glazed gravy boats and offers some colorful gravy boats and designs for restaurants, diners, and foodservice venues. Most come in large 18.5 oz sizes in bright colors like yellow, orange, blue, red, white, and purple.
It is safe to wash in the dishwasher and can be heated in the microwave or oven. It has a large bowl to hold sauces and gravy for a large table or buffet. It can be used to serve salad dressings and syrups too. It contains a material that keeps it from chipping and breaking. It has a limited warranty included.
They are made in the United States and sold in restaurants supply stores, retail stores, and QVC. It is recommended to heat the gravy on the stove or in the microwave and pour it into the gravy boat before serving. This keeps the pot from overheating. It pours well and does not spill. Very useful for buffets and banquets.
Pros:
- It is for large capacity meals
- Made of chip and scratch-resistant material
- It is dishwasher and microwave safe
- Product is made in the United State
Cons:
- It is large capacity and does not come in smaller sizes
- Pieces sometimes break when shipped.
- When heated in the microwave gets too hot to hold
Le Creuset
Le Creuset makes stoneware gravy boats with a warranty. They are sturdy and easy to clean. The gravy mouth has a wide spout to pour and a curved handle with a comfortable grip. It is safe to wash in the dishwasher and heat in the microwave or oven.
It can be used for hot gravies and sauces, salad dressings, and syrups. It maintains temperatures and can be put in the refrigerator and freezer. They come in 12 oz and 16 oz. in a variety of colors blue, red white, yellow, and greens. Some come with a gravy plate underneath.
Do not heat over direct heat and use oven mitts when removing from microwave as handles and boat get hot. It is made in China and has received good reviews from most customers. It is sold at restaurant suppliers, Amazon.com, Wayfair, and other online websites.
Pros:
- Stoneware is easy to clean and durable
- A variety of colors and styles
- Protected from cracking and chipping
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
Cons:
- Made overseas
- Handles and boat get hot when heated in microwave or oven
Recommended Stainless Gravy Boats With Lids
Rorence
Rorence stainless steel double insulated gravy boat holds 16 ozs of gravy or sauce. Its hinged lid makes it easy to refill and safe to handle. The lid and handle are plastic. It is safe to wash in the dishwasher. It can keep gravy and sauces warm for an hour enough time to let customers enjoy the meal. It can be used for salad dressing, milk, cream, and syrup.
It should not be heated on the stove or in the microwave. Hot gravies should be heated first and poured into it. The lid does not come off making it hard to clean. Rated well by customers. It is made in China.
It is a good choice for restaurants that serve sauces, salad dressings, and syrups to younger and older customers for safety purposes. It is sold by restaurants suppliers, on the company website, and on Amazon.com.
Pros
- Easy to use and keep sauces hot longer
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to refill and pour
Cons:
- Made overseas
- Hard to clean the attached lid sometimes
- Can’t be heated in microwave or oven
Red Barrel Studio
Red Barrel Studio makes a 16 oz. gravy boat that is stainless steel with a hinged lid. It is insulated and designed to serve gravy, sauce, salad dressing, or syrup for large tables, buffets, and banquets.
The insulated stainless steel keeps gravy and sauces hot for a long time. You can serve salad dressing, syrups and dessert sauces in it too. It has a chrome spout, cover, and handle and is easy to pour. It can be put in the refrigerator or freezer. Do not put stainless steel gravy boats in the microwave or oven to heat. Heat the sauce on top of the stove, in the oven in a pan or in a microwave-safe container, and pour into the gravy boat.
It is made overseas and the lid is attached making it harder to wash. It is safe to wash in the dishwasher but they recommend washing and drying by hand.
Pros:
- Keeps sauces hot longer with the lid
- Easy to pour and refill
- Can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer
- Holds enough for a large table or buffet
Cons
- Made overseas
- Cannot be heated in the microwave or oven
- Hard to clean lid does not come off
- Recommended to wash and dry by hand
Ovenette
Ovenette makes electric gravy boats with warmers that are 13.5 oz and 16 oz in size. They come with a warming tray that plugs in and keeps sauces hot. They are good for a banquet with tables or tables near electrical outlets where the gravy boat can be plugged in. The gravy boat has a detachable lid and is made of ceramic. The gravy boat and lid are dishwasher safe but the base cannot be washed just wipe off with a damp cloth and dry. It has an easy pour spout and handles.
It comes in red and black and is sold on the company website, Amazon.com, and restaurant suppliers. It is made in the US. Sometimes lid breaks when shipped to customers. Good for banquets and tables and booths near electric outlets. It can be used for hot syrup and dessert sauces. Use without the base for salad dressing and cold sauces. It serves from 8 to 12 people. This is suited to be used by older teens and adults.
Pros:
- Keeps gravy warms when plugged in
- Can be used without a warmer for salad dressing and cold sauces.
- Pot and lid are dishwasher safe
- Made of ceramic
Cons:
- The base cannot be immersed in water
- Has to be plugged in to keep sauces warm
Bon Chef
Bon Chef makes larger commercial gravy boats for larger restaurants or foodservice venues made of stainless steel with a hinged lid. Most hold about 1-1/2 quart of gravy or sauce. It has a canned fuel holder that heats up the gravy or sauces from underneath. The steam table model can be plugged in or placed on a steam table.
It is made of stainless steel and designed for buffet tables and catering halls. It is easy to serve and refill. The fuel shelf can use gel or wick fuel for warming liquids. A great product for large restaurants, hotels, and catering venues. Check when you order with customer service about how to clean the gravy warmer and fuel holder before purchasing.
They are manufactured in India and sold in the United States. They are sold on the company website, Web Restaurant Store, Hotel Restaurant Supply, and Amazon.com. Other restaurant supply companies carry this product. A new product without reviews.
Pros:
- Large enough to heat sauces and gravy for large restaurants and hotels
- It is easy to fill and refill
- Easy to use the spout to pour gravy by pushing down on the pump
- Keeps gravy warm for a long time
Cons:
- Pricey due to the large size
- It May be too big for small food service restaurants
- Made overseas
- Need to ask about cleaning the gravy warmer and heating element
FAQs
Question: Where do you find commercial gravy boats?
Answer: Commercial gravy boats are sold at local restaurant supply dealers and online at restaurant supply websites. You will find gravy boats on Amazon.com, Wayfair, manufacturer websites, and stores too.
Question: What are they made of?
Answer: They are made of stainless steel, porcelain, and stoneware. They come in different sizes and some come with lids and plates to put under the gravy boat. They can be used to make to serve hot gravy, sauces, salad dressing, syrup, and desserts.
Question: How do you heat gravy in a gravy boat?
Answer: Metal gravy boats should never be heated in the microwave or oven. The gravy can be heated on the stove in a pan or in the microwave and poured into the gravy boat. Metal will spark and does not heat well in the microwave and in the oven gets too hot to hold the handle.
You can pour warm water in a gravy boat or very hot water and dump it out before pouring in the gravy and serving. Some gravy boats come with lids and electric warming trays. Stoneware and porcelain gravy boats should not be heated in the microwave or oven because it gets too hot to handle. Better to heat the gravy and pour it in.
Question: What else can gravy boats be used for?
Answer: They can be used to serve salad dressing for a salad to customers, syrup for breakfast items, and sauces for desserts. They are often used to serve milk or cream with coffee and tea. Restaurant and foodservice venues will find many used for gravy boats and they make the dining experience more special.
Best Commercial Gravy Boats: Conclusion
Gravy boats enhance the dining experience and provide a way to serve hot gravy, sauces, salad dressing, syrups, and dessert sauces. Both stainless steel, ceramic, and stoneware gravy boats and warmers can be a good way to provide that extra touch to make a meal special for customers.