Elite Gourmet Triple Slow Cooker Buffet Server, Red

I bought this on a whim to use on Thanksgiving as I was tired of complaints that second helping food was cold!! I am sooo happy I did. It came quickly and very well packed with no damage at all. I like the red color. Ceramic “pots” are large enough to hold a lot and easy to clean. When I first got it I washed the pots and put 2 cups of water into each pot to see if it worked. As each pot is individually controlled, I was able to use my auto temp thermometer in each pot to see how warm the water got. On High it was about 135 degrees. There was an unpleasant smell of what I read from other reviews was “burning oil” so I kept turning all pots on and off several times (with water in them) to dissipate the smell. I was afraid it would not go away but it has. I used it for Thanksgiving and again for this Christmas and now there is no smell. This holiday (serving 8) I made mashed potatoes, gravy and fresh green beans ahead of my families arrival, pre heated the pots with water then emptied the water and added the food. I put each pot on “warm” with lids on. After about an hour or more from putting food into pots with lids on, we sat down to dinner and the food was exactly as it was when I first put it into the pots and at perfect serving temperature. I was thrilled! My Family was very happy. Food stayed perfect for second and third helpings. Mashed potatoes stayed perfect!! Lids and lid holders are very convenient and work great. Spoon slots are also very useful but you do need longer handled spoons. What made my day was that I was able to wash preparing pots and pans and put them away before family arrived keeping my kitchen uncluttered and my after dinner clean up a breeze!! Even though the ceramic pots and lids can go in dishwasher, washing by hand was quick and easy. I look forward to using it again for many occasions!! I am getting one for my daughter-in-law as she liked it. Even my cleaning person saw it and is ordering one!! The only cons would be the “burning” smell that it produced in the beginning but went away with use so I suggest using it with water before a gathering until smell goes away. I would also like an on/off light under each pot dial not just the one light that signifies the unit is plugged in as there are no lights showing if individual pots are on or off. The dial is the only way to know that you have set it to an on/off position. The red metal wrap does get warm to the touch but does not cause a problem.
The feet on the unit bottom keeps air circulate underneath so as not to cause overheating of counter too. Have not tried it as a slow cooker yet! All in all this is a great purchase.

I was searching for something which can be used as a warmer for food during parties or get together, and this product fits in perfectly to my requirement. It warms the food and keep it warm for long time in the lowest warm setting. The 3 setting works great depending on how hot, warm you need the food. I have used it once so far and the results were great.
Just one small issue that I had it when I turned it on for first time it smelled like some wire was burning, but I am assuming it is just the first time thing and should not be there again.
Still recommend it totally!

I’ve used this Elite EWMST-325 for the past 3 years at family gatherings, and it has held up very well with no problems. This Christmas, my boyfriend bought a similar product (by Farberware, a well-known maker of kitchen pots, etc) and brought it over to put on the kitchen peninsula next to this one, as we were serving quite a variety of food. For me, it allowed a comparison situation which emphasized all the benefits this Elite model has that his did not have:

1) Lid rests. His didn’t have any at all so his lids ended up on the counter and it just seemed less sanitary that way…my Elite allowed a person to hold their plate in one hand and serve up food with the other with the lid in a sanitary location, and later on they detach for storage inside the crocks.
2) Notches/slots in the crocks. This Elite model has the notches for the handles of the serving utensils to stick out while still allowing a lid to securely cover the crock and keep food warm. My boyfriend’s version had no notches at all, so if a serving utensil was left in, then the lid slid around – that puts glass lids at a higher risk for falling and breaking.
3) 2.5 qt capacity of each crock. We used each of the 3 crocks in the Elite for a different food item, and served 5 people. While the crocks weren’t so filled to the brim that food spilled, the 2.5 qt capacity was roomy enough to allow for 2nd and 3rd helpings and I (the hostess) still enjoyed leftovers for a few days after the event. The other brand had 1.5 qt capacity crocks and I don’t think it would have served all 5 of us, especially things like potatoes or stuffing or mac ‘n’ cheese ( I want to call them “fluffy” foods, but there’s got to be a better word, I’m just at a loss right now), though it may be OK for peas or corn (we actually used my boyfriend’s 1.5 Qt crocks for gravy, cranberries, and beets -which we knew not everyone wanted so there was a smaller quantity)
4) 3 levels of heat settings (his brand has that too, but it IS such an important feature I had to mention it.)
5) Removable, individual food containers. I call them crocks, they are basically ceramic. Take them out and you’ll see the unit has a permanently attached metal liner the crocks fit into. The removable crocks can go in the fridge, and in the sink later for easy cleanup. They cannot go directly on a stovetop and if I recall correctly, the instructions said they don’t want you to microwave them either. The Elite and my boyfriend’s similar version both have removable crocks. You just don’t want a giant one-piece unit that serves multiple food items, it would be heavy and hard to clean.

HOT TIP: I bought a set of 11″ stainless steel basting/serving spoons here on Amazon and they are the PERFECT size for this Elite warmer. You can get a set of a dozen for about $18 American here on Amazon. They are restaurant/caterinq-quality, always useful, and they nest compactly so they don’t take up much drawer space. Just make sure you get the 11″ size so that they are long enough that the handles don’t get lost sliding into the food, and they rest perfectly in the notch with about 2″ extending out to grab. I’ve always used solid spoons, but you may prefer a few slotted spoons depending on what your are serving, and those can be found in the 11″ size as well.

Note: The Elite EWMST-325 is large and therefore can be a little hard to store, but I take off the lid rests and store them and the lids inside the crocks (I do not keep the lids on top, but sort of vertical inside the crocks to make it less likely for them to slide off white I’m doing all the maneuvering), and slide it at an angle into my lower cabinets and then straighten it out against the back wall. My cabinets are wider than they are deep, so this method lets it get past that section of wood that is between the 2 cabinet doors. When my friend Shannon was remodeling her kitchen, she specified a deeper cabinet just for her Elite food warmer! She uses it so regularly she wanted super-easy access to it. That alone should tell you how great this item is!

It is a great warmer, size of the bowls is quite big, only drawback is lids they are not very good quality, otherwise a great unit, works perfect, would definately recommend

I have used it once and it is was good. Food was nice and warm. Guest were also impressed with the product. I did not give a five as used only once. Hope it’s a good investment.

I bought this to use for the holidays, to replace an older warmer with only two warming dishes. This one is very sturdy and the size is perfect. I used it for warming items for a pasta bar and have also used it for a taco bar get-together. I like that each crockpot has its own temperature setting too. That is very handy. I had several people ask me where I got it because it worked so well.