[Sca-cooks] OOP: How to use a chafing dish?

[Robin Carroll-Mann]

I bought a chafing dish at the thrift shop yesterday, for eating hot
food off-board, and also for times when the power goes out (electric
stove).  The top is like a small cake rack, so it can hold more than
one size/shape dish, and there is a horizontal ring at the bottom,
that holds the fuel container.  It is the kind I often see at Chinese
restaurants -- an opening about 1-1/2" wide, and a circle of smaller
holes with a sliding lid that can completely or partially cover them.
Inside is something white, covered with metal mesh.  Since the
white stuff would not burn, no matter how many matches I inserted,
I conclude that it is merely intended to hold the (liquid?) fuel.  What
kind does it take?  And where can I get some?

The bottom ring was the right size to admit the can of Sterno that I
also bought at the thrift shop.  However, it did not hold the Sterno
off the table (actually my marble slab).  The Sterno instructions say
never to let the can come into direct contact with the table or
tablecloth.  Is this a serious concern, or a legal CYA?  Would it
suffice to put the whole chafing dish unit on top of a plate or
something?

I'd very much like to be able to use this thing, but I'd like to do it
both conveniently and safely.


Brighid ni Chiarain *** mka Robin Carroll-Mann
Barony of Settmour Swamp, East Kingdom
rcmann4 at earthlink.net