ROCAM ATHENA 5-Piece Halogen-Heated Countertop Display

A heated countertop display that keeps plated dishes at serving temperature without moisture loss uses halogen lamps positioned beneath a tempered glass work surface. The lamps emit infrared energy that passes through the glass and warms the plates and food above, while the glass itself remains cool to the touch. This dry-heat method prevents condensation and keeps sauces from breaking or meats from drying out, making it suited for buffet service where dishes may sit for extended periods.

The operator loads up to five GN1/1 gastronorm pans onto the glass top, sets the digital thermostat anywhere between 0 °C and +90 °C, and switches the halogen lamps on with the independent lighting control. The lamps glow white, indicating that the heating cycle is active, and the thermostat maintains the chosen temperature until the unit is turned off or the setting is adjusted. Once the service period ends, the operator removes the pans, switches off the lamps and allows the unit to cool before cleaning.

The structure is built from laminated wood with a stainless-steel frame supporting a tempered black glass countertop. A fixed sneeze guard rises above the rear edge to protect displayed food. The power cable terminates in an industrial plug for direct connection to a dedicated circuit.

Controls consist of a digital thermostat that sets the heating temperature and a separate switch that toggles the halogen lamps on and off. The lamps operate independently of the heating element, allowing the display to remain illuminated even when the heat is not required.

A power rating of 3.023 kW indicates the load the unit places on the electrical supply; in a professional kitchen this typically requires a dedicated 16 A circuit at 230 V. The temperature range of 0 °C to +90 °C covers holding chilled desserts at the lower end and keeping hot entrées warm at the upper end. The 199 kg weight means the unit must be moved with a pallet truck or similar equipment, and the footprint of 1824 mm by 747 mm determines the linear worktop space it occupies.

Cleaning involves wiping the tempered glass top with a damp cloth once it has cooled, removing any food debris from the sneeze guard, and ensuring the halogen lamps are free of dust. The stainless-steel frame can be cleaned with standard kitchen sanitiser, and the laminated wood surfaces should be wiped with a mild detergent solution.

Optional accessories allow the unit to be customised for specific layouts: foldable dish holders in wood or stainless steel, removable tray slides in laminated wood or stainless-steel tube, reinforced castors for mobility, and contrasting worktop finishes in Formica or laminated wood. Additional modules include refrigerated compartments, upper shelves with increased depth, and custom niches for integrated refrigeration units. The unit can also be fitted with a UK plug or modified for 60 Hz compressor compatibility where required.

The ATHENA 5-piece halogen-heated countertop is catalogued under heated buffet displays and countertop holding equipment.