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While poorly designed imported wire chafer stands may pose heightened tipping and burn/fire risk over open flames, a domestic design provides a safe, economic alternative

At picnics and parties across America, a danger is lurking that could not only turn celebration to tragedy but also pose a huge liability risk for retailers, caterers, and those involved with hosting events or gatherings. The culprit: poorly designed, imported food warming stands that can tip, fail, or present a burn/fire hazard when used over open-flame fuel cans.

Known as wire chafer stands, these wire frames supporting hot trays of food over "keep warm" flames are widely used in the catering industry and increasingly common purchases at party stores and other big box retailers. Their popularity has grown as a way to keep food hot during the party while freeing the host, since guests commonly serve themselves buffet-style.

Unfortunately, it has recently been discovered that not all wire chafers are created equal.
Many imported wire chafers are cheaply made and of poor design – making them a potential threat to a largely unsuspecting public.

"The wire chafer stands were so thin, cheap, and poorly welded that they'd come apart in your hand," says John Cuomo, owner of A World of Food Catering, based in Rockland County, New York, whose long-time supplier had switched to an imported brand.

"Under the weight of the food and steam trays, they'd be dangerous. I made my supplier remove them from my place of business."

It is a scenario which could quickly put a damper on an event or party.

"Picture a Superbowl reveler scraping lasagna from a food tray kept warm over open-flame fuel cans," adds Robert Skvorecz, President of Skorr Products, a Paterson, New Jersey-based wire chafer manufacturer. "He's got one eye on the game and presses a little too hard in the corner and along the side of an imported, narrow-stance wire chafer stand. The entire tray could tip, spilling the contents over him."

The burn hazard stems not just from the lit fuel cans or the hot contents of the food tray, but also from the up to 1.5 gallons of boiling water typically kept in a separate steam tray below the food trays for more even warming. For children, whose faces may rise just above table or counter height where wire chafer stands usually rest, the burn risk is worse.

A fire hazard may also be present if the lit fuel cans ignite nearby flammable items such as paper tablecloths, napkins, plates, cups, decorations, or even curtains.

While any potential burn or fire risk is insignificant when correctly using a quality wire chafer stand to keep food warm, recently imported units suffer from a number of design flaws.

"Besides thinner wire and less substantial welds designed to save material costs, typical wire chafer stands made overseas today are placing support legs in a very narrow pattern to save shipping and storage costs," explains Skvorecz. "The risk to consumers is that this dramatically reduces their stability. The legs are just too close together for safety's sake making it far too easy to accidentally tip over."

Another problem: because foreign-made wire chafer stands typically use thin gauge wire with only four vertical wires providing support from the table to the rim of the food tray, two additional vertical wires are usually added midway between the length of the foodtray. The problem is that these two wires, added for additional structural support, can pose an unintentional yet hidden fire hazard.

"One should never do this because you are always supposed to light the can after placing it under the chafer" states Skvorecz, "but if someone does pre-lights a fuel can before placing it under the wire chafer stand – something people often do for convenience - these two wires can easily catch the thumb holding the can - causing them to drop the burning can. Pre-lit cans with their gel type fuel can splatter like napalm creating a very real and dangerous fire hazard."

Though there hasn't yet been a high profile lawsuit against foreign-made wire chafer stands with these flawed designs, it's only a matter of time according to Skvorecz, given that wire chafer stands are used nationwide in countless parties annually, from BBQs and birthdays to weddings, anniversaries, picnics and other indoor/outdoor celebrations.

How real is the litigation risk to retailers, caterers, and those involved with hosting events even if customer negligence was part of the problem?

Just ask McDonald's, which an outraged jury found liable for $2.7 million in punitive damages, plus almost $200,000 in compensatory damages in the early 1990s. This despite the fact that the 79-year old plaintiff admittedly doused herself with 170-degree coffee while pulling the lid off a cup held between her legs to add cream and sugar.

According to a personal injury lawyer based in Southern California, manufacturers and sellers of dangerous goods can be sued for negligence not only for failing to inspect or test a product before placing it on the market but also for failure to adequately warn of a risk or hazard associated with the product. Burns, in fact, are one of the most expensive catastrophic injuries to treat, often requiring skin grafts, reconstruction and rehabilitation for severe injuries. Compensation may include medical bills, loss of income, rehabilitation, as well as pain and suffering and other costs. Juries can be very harsh when they perceive a company might be exchanging safety for profits.

For retailers, caterers, and those involved with hosting events looking to eliminate the heightened risk of burn/fire hazard stemming from poorly designed wire chafer stands with tippable, narrow-stance and weaker wire/welds, proven domestic designs may provide a less-risky alternative.

Skorr wire chafer stands use a multi-patented design with four flat-bottomed corner legs for the widest stance and greatest stability in the market. Because the legs are placed in the corners with a stance significantly wider than typical overseas product, the wire chafer stand has maximum lateral support to prevent tipping and rollovers.

For greater structural integrity to prevent collapse, Skorr uses wire of significantly heavier gauge and stronger welds than imported competitors. For critical support of the food and steam trays, which can weigh up to 30 lbs. when fully loaded with heavy entrees and water, Skorr's design provides eight vertical supports extending from the table to the upper rim vs. typically four for imported chafer products.

The company's design also protects retailers and caterers from the fire hazard of customers trying to put lit fuel cans under the wire chafer stand, rather than placing the can, then lighting it. Since Skorr's design avoids the vertical wires midway between the length of the foodtray, which is typical in imported wire chafer stands. This eliminates the drop hazard of customers snagging their thumbs on the wires.

After refusing imported wire chafer stands for safety and quality concerns, John Cuomo, owner of A World of Food Catering, turned to Skorr wire chafer stands upon discovering them in warehouse clubs and food service retail outlets.

"The safety factor can't be underestimated," says Cuomo. "The Skorr wire chafers are thicker, stronger, and more stable so there's no worries. A party, after all, is about celebration. The Skorr wire chafers ensure the food is fresh, hot, and safe."

Skorr wire chafer stands have won the Best Quality Award from the Professional Chefs Association. Unlike imported products - which can contain sharp edges due to handmade production processes - Skorr wire chafer stands are precision-made and environmentally friendly.