Apuro FT693-A 21L Countertop Bain Marie Base Wet Heat 10A | 1/1 GN Food Warmer

Keep pre-cooked soups, gravies, curries, baked beans, sauces, and buffet favourites at safe, consistent serving temperatures with the Apuro FT693-A 21L Commercial Countertop Bain Marie Base. Engineered specifically for Australian commercial kitchens, hotel buffet stations, catering lines, food trucks, school canteens, and takeaway venues, this heavy-duty table top food warmer utilizes gentle wet-heat water bath warming to ensure delicate foods retain their moisture, texture, and flavour without scorching or drying out during extended service shifts.

Featuring a generous full-size 1/1 Gastronorm pan capacity, this versatile unit accommodates standard food pans up to 150mm deep—allowing you to configure the well with a single full-size pan or multiple fractional pans (such as 1/2, 1/3, or 1/6 GN layouts using divider bars). Built from food-grade commercial stainless steel, powered by an efficient 1.2kW heating element operating on a standard 10A plug, and equipped with an easy-to-use thermostat dial (30°C to 90°C) with dry-boil thermal safety cut-out protection, the Apuro FT693-A delivers dependable, compliant holding performance across any commercial hospitality environment.

Why Australian commercial kitchens, caterers, and buffet venues choose the Apuro FT693-A:

• Gentle wet-heat water bath holding: Surrounds food pans in an even, gentle steam and water bath jacket, eliminating hot spots to keep temperature-sensitive foods hot (30°C to 90°C) without burning, sticking, or crusting over.

• Modular 1/1 Gastronorm adaptability: Specifically dimensioned to house a full-size 1/1 GN pan up to 150mm deep, or split into combinations of 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, or 1/6 GN containers using divider bars to match diverse service menus (pans and dividers sold separately).

• Intuitive variable temperature thermostat: Front-mounted analog control dial provides smooth, manual temperature modulation, allowing line cooks to easily dial in optimal holding heat for thick cheese sauces or simmering gravies.

• Dry-boil and thermal overheat protection: Integrated thermal cut-out safety switch automatically isolates the 1.2kW heating element if water levels evaporate completely, preventing burnout and extending operational life.

• Durable commercial stainless steel construction: Manufactured from corrosion-resistant, food-grade stainless steel inside and out, built to endure continuous service, acidic food exposure, and rigorous sanitation cycles.

• Hygienic, easy-to-clean water well: Deep-drawn internal water well with smooth radiused internal corners prevents mineral scale traps and food residue accumulation, ensuring rapid end-of-shift washdowns.

• True plug-and-play 10A portability: Consumes just 1200W (1.2kW) on a standard Australian 240V single-phase 10-Amp plug, making it effortless to position across mobile catering setups, front-of-house buffet benches, or kitchen passes.

• Compact, stable countertop profile: Sits securely on non-slip rubber feet to prevent bench movement or surface scratching when ladling out hot food.

Technical Specifications

Daily Care, Maintenance & End-of-Shift Sanitisation

To protect the stainless steel heating tank, prevent mineral limescale build-up, and ensure HACCP food safety compliance:

1. Safe Draining & Cool-Down: At the end of service, switch off the unit and disconnect the electrical plug from the wall. Allow the water bath to cool to a safe handling temperature before emptying water from the well. Never handle or transport the unit while it contains hot water.

2. Water Well Cleaning: Wipe out the internal stainless steel water well daily using a soft microfibre cloth dampened with warm water and a neutral commercial food-safe detergent. Never use abrasive wire scouring pads, steel wool, or caustic oven cleaners, as they scratch the protective stainless steel layer and invite pitting.

3. Routine Descaling: In areas with hard water, mineral limescale will naturally accumulate over the heating base. Run a cycle using a commercial food-grade descaler or a diluted white vinegar solution once a week (or fortnightly depending on water hardness) to strip scale, maintain element heat transfer efficiency, and prevent false overheat trips.

4. Exterior Body Maintenance: Clean the external stainless steel casing and front thermostat dial by wiping along the grain of the steel with a damp cloth and dedicated stainless steel cleaner. Never immerse the base unit in water or hose down the casing, as water ingress will damage internal electrical components.

Commercial Installation & Placement Guidelines

1. Standard Plug-and-Play Power: The Apuro FT693-A operates on an Australian standard single-phase 240V 10A supply. Plug the unit directly into a dedicated wall outlet; avoid using domestic multi-board adapters or light-duty extension leads.

2. Countertop Stability & Clearance: Position the unit on a flat, level, heat-resistant commercial benchtop or servery pass capable of supporting the combined weight of the unit, water, and full food pans. Maintain a minimum perimeter clearance of 50mm around the casing to ensure adequate air circulation.

3. Correct Water Fill Levels: Always fill the water reservoir with clean, potable water before switching on the power. Maintain the water level between the recommended minimum and maximum depth marks (covering the well base sufficiently without overflowing when pans are inserted). Do not operate the unit dry.

4. Food Safety Regulations (Standard 3.2.2): Remember that a bain marie is designed for hot food holding, not for cooking or reheating cold food from chilled. Always bring foods to an internal temperature of at least 75°C using primary cooking equipment before transferring them into pre-heated bain marie pans to maintain compliant holding temperatures above 60°C.

Freight, Delivery & Commercial Site Access Notice

Standard commercial road freight delivery is available Australia-wide to registered business premises with level street-level access or dedicated parcel facilities.

Please note: Deliveries to residential premises, domestic addresses, or regional destinations may require specialized transport options. Please contact our friendly commercial sales team prior to placing your order if you require customized freight, would like to add custom Gastronorm pan sets and divider bars to your shipment, or have specific delivery schedule requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run the Apuro FT693-A dry without adding water to the well?

No. The FT693-A is an indirect wet-heat bain marie that requires water to operate correctly. Operating the unit without water can scorch food pans, trigger the safety thermal cut-out, and cause premature burnout of the heating element. Always verify that water covers the base of the well before setting the thermostat.

What pan configurations fit inside this countertop unit?

The unit accommodates any standard 1/1 Gastronorm configuration up to 150mm deep. This includes 1 x 1/1 GN pan, 2 x 1/2 GN pans, 3 x 1/3 GN pans, or combinations of 1/6 and 1/9 GN pans when used with standard stainless steel adapter divider bars.

Can this unit be used to cook or reheat cold food from the fridge?

No. Australian Food Safety Standards (Standard 3.2.2) require bain maries to be used strictly as hot holding appliances. Food must be cooked or brought up to a minimum internal temperature of 75°C using a range, combi oven, or microwave before being transferred to the pre-heated bain marie to remain safely above 60°C throughout service.

How does the overheat safety thermal cut-out work?

If the water in the well completely evaporates during service, the internal thermal sensor detects the rapid heat spike on the dry element and cuts power to prevent element failure. Once the unit cools and water is replenished, the thermal protection resets, restoring normal operation.

Are Gastronorm pans and divider bars included with the base?

No. The FT693-A is supplied as a modular base unit, allowing hospitality venues to use their existing GN pan stock or configure their own custom pan combinations. Compatible stainless steel pans, lids, notched lids, and adapter bars are sold separately—contact our team for custom package pricing.

N.B Images are for illustrative purposes only. Specifications are subject to change without notice.