Apuro HX988-A 21L Commercial Rice Warmer | Stainless Steel 110W 10A

Maintain optimal food-safe serving temperatures, preserve delicate grain moisture, and handle continuous service rushes with the Apuro HX988-A 21L Commercial Stainless Steel Rice Warmer. Purpose-engineered for high-volume Asian restaurants, sushi bars, Thai eateries, Chinese takeaways, Indian curry houses, catering buffets, and institutional dining halls, this heavy-duty 21-litre commercial holding pot keeps pre-cooked jasmine, basmati, medium-grain, and sushi rice piping hot, soft, and fluffy for hours without crusting, discolouring, or drying out.

High-Volume 21-Litre Holding Capacity for Peak Trade

During busy lunch and dinner rushes, relying solely on commercial rice cookers creates kitchen bottlenecks and wears out heating elements prematurely. The Apuro HX988-A decouples the cooking and holding processes: staff cook large batches in standalone commercial rice cookers (such as the Apuro J300-A, CB944-A, CN324-A, CK698-A, or Birko 1007000) and immediately transfer finished grains into the 21-litre dedicated warming vessel. This frees up primary cookers for continuous cooking cycles while providing front-of-house plating lines with immediate access to ready-to-serve rice.

Gentle Heat Distribution Without Grain Drying or Burning

Conventional cookers left in "warm" mode often scorch bottom layers into hard, yellowed crusts. The HX988-A is engineered specifically as a dedicated thermal holding cabinet rather than a boiler. Its low-wattage heating network wraps around the internal well, enveloping the chamber with gentle, consistent holding temperatures (above 65°C) to fully satisfy Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Standard 3.2.2 requirements. Moisture is retained beneath a tightly sealed insulated lid, preventing surface dehydration and grain hardness.

Heavy-Duty Non-Stick Inner Bowl & Non-Scratch Spoon

Food waste from burnt or stuck grains erodes kitchen margins over high-volume trading. The HX988-A features a premium food-grade non-stick coated inner bowl that releases every grain smoothly without vigorous scraping. The unit comes complete with an ergonomic non-scratch plastic rice paddle, ensuring staff can fluff, portion, and scoop batches without scratching or peeling the internal non-stick liner.

Simple One-Touch Operation & Insulated Stainless Steel Housing

Kitchen prep lines require straightforward, dependable tools that temporary staff can operate without training. The HX988-A uses a foolproof one-touch power toggle switch with a clear "Warm" pilot indicator lamp. Constructed with a commercial-grade stainless steel exterior, the outer body resists kitchen splashes, cooking oil vapours, and repeated handling. Cool-touch side carry handles allow safe kitchen transfers between cooklines and buffet stations.

Ultra-Low 110W Electrical Draw on a Standard 10A Connection

Holding hot food for hours can generate significant energy costs if using high-draw equipment. The Apuro HX988-A draws an economical 110W on standard single-phase 220–240V power (approx. 0.48 Amps), significantly reducing kitchen utility overheads compared to running a 1950W rice cooker on continuous keep-warm. Fitted with a standard Australian 10 Amp 3-pin plug, it connects straight into regular commercial wall sockets without requiring electrical upgrades.

Key Features & Benefits

• Generous 21-Litre Capacity: Holds massive batches of hot cooked rice to keep pace with demanding restaurant service lines.

• Non-Stick Inner Bowl: Ensures effortless portioning and clean food release without grain tearing or heavy scraping.

• Prevents Drying & Scorch Crusts: Dedicated holding thermal profile keeps rice fluffy, white, and fresh for extended holding periods.

• Frees Up Primary Cookers: Pair with commercial rice cookers to establish an efficient batch-cooking and holding workflow.

• Low 110W Energy Draw: Ultra-low power consumption drastically cuts ongoing kitchen electricity overheads.

• One-Touch Toggle Operation: User-friendly single-button operation with visual status indicator eliminates training overheads.

• Durable Stainless Steel Body: Wipe-clean commercial stainless finish resists kitchen grease and daily kitchen wear.

• Non-Scratch Serving Paddle Included: Purpose-shaped rice spoon protects the inner non-stick coating from scratches.

• Cool-Touch Transport Handles: Insulated side handles enable safe lifting and repositioning across commercial benches.

• Standard Australian 10A Plug Setup: Plugs directly into standard single-phase 240V 10A commercial power outlets.

Technical Specifications

Daily Care, Cleaning & Maintenance Guidelines

To protect the non-stick coating, prevent grain contamination, and ensure commercial hygiene compliance:

1. Power Isolation & Cool-Down: Before removing the inner pot or wiping the unit, switch off the power toggle, isolate the 10A wall point, and disconnect the plug. Allow the internal vessel to cool to a safe handling temperature.

2. Inner Pot Cleaning: Lift out the removable non-stick inner bowl and wash in a commercial sink using warm water, a mild dishwashing detergent, and a soft sponge or microfibre cloth. Never use abrasive scouring pads, wire wool, or metal scrapers, as these will scratch and degrade the non-stick coating.

3. Rice Paddle Care: Wash the supplied non-scratch plastic paddle in warm soapy water or run it through a commercial dishwasher rack. Never leave the plastic spoon resting inside the hot warmer with the lid shut for extended periods.

4. Stainless Steel Body & Lid Care: Wipe down external stainless steel surfaces and the inner insulated lid with a clean microfibre cloth dampened with warm water and a neutral food-safe sanitiser. Dry thoroughly with a tea towel. Ensure water does not seep into the outer casing or power toggle housing.

5. Inner Heating Well Maintenance: Inspect the interior aluminium heating well beneath the removable pot daily. Clear away any loose, fallen rice grains or starch flakes with a dry cloth. Loose grains left on the base can char against the element, creating hot spots and smoke.

6. Electrical Safety: Never immerse the main warmer body, cord, or 10A plug in water or liquids, and never wash down the appliance with a commercial pre-rinse hose.

Kitchen Placement & Operational Guidelines

The Apuro HX988-A is engineered for commercial cooklines, plating passes, sushi rolling stations, and buffet runs:

1. Dedicated 10A Electrical Outlet: The warmer draws an economical 110W on standard single-phase 240V power and comes fitted with a standard Australian 10 Amp 3-pin plug. Connect directly into a commercial wall outlet near your plating bench. Avoid draping power leads across cooktops or wet sinks.

2. Hot-Holding Operational Rule (Standard 3.2.2 Compliance): Under Australian Commercial Food Safety Standards, rice warmers are hot-holding units, not cooking appliances. Always transfer freshly cooked, steaming rice into the unit immediately after cooking (above 75°C). Never load cold, refrigerated, or uncooked rice into the HX988-A expecting it to heat up from cold.

3. Moisture & Lid Protocol: Keep the insulated lid firmly latched between servings. Opening the lid frequently or leaving it propped open allows steam to escape, which accelerates surface drying and drops core food temperatures.

4. Starch Management & Grain Fluffing: When transferring fresh batches of cooked rice into the warmer, use the plastic paddle to gently fluff the grains from the bottom up. This disperses internal steam pockets evenly and maintains uniform grain texture across the full 21-litre volume.

5. Level Countertop Placement: Place the warmer on a flat, stable, heat-resistant commercial stainless bench. Ensure adequate room above the unit for staff to swing the lid open fully during service.

Freight & Ordering Information

Fast, reliable road delivery is available Australia-wide to commercial hospitality premises, restaurants, cafes, catering services, institutions, and residential addresses. Units are packed in reinforced protective cartons with internal foam buffering to protect the stainless steel chassis and non-stick pot during transit. For multi-unit fitout orders, matching commercial rice cookers, or regional delivery quotes, contact our friendly commercial sales team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Apuro HX988-A cook raw rice from scratch?

No. The HX988-A is a dedicated commercial rice warmer engineered strictly for hot-holding pre-cooked rice. To cook raw rice, pair this unit with a dedicated commercial rice cooker (such as the Apuro J300-A or CK698-A) to establish a continuous cooking and holding workflow.

Can I plug this rice warmer into a standard Australian 10 Amp power point?

Yes. The Apuro HX988-A draws an economical 110W on single-phase 220–240V power and comes factory-fitted with a standard Australian 10 Amp 3-pin plug. It connects straight into regular commercial wall sockets without requiring electrical upgrades.

How long can rice be safely held in this warmer?

When loaded with steaming, freshly cooked rice (above 75°C) and operated with the lid closed, the unit maintains rice at food-safe commercial hot-holding temperatures (above 65°C) for several hours while preserving moisture, texture, and flavour in compliance with FSANZ guidelines.

Can I use metal utensils to scoop rice out of the pot?

No. Metal tongs, spoons, or ladles will scratch and chip the non-stick coating on the inner bowl. Always use the supplied non-scratch plastic rice paddle or commercial silicone-tipped utensils to scoop rice.

What is the benefit of using a dedicated warmer instead of keeping rice in the cooker?

Commercial rice cookers draw high wattage (typically 1950W to 2850W) and often generate localised bottom heat that scorches and dries out rice over long periods. A dedicated warmer uses an economical 110W wrap-around element to hold large 21-litre batches at gentle, uniform temperatures while freeing up your primary cooker to prepare consecutive batches.

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