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6 Best Cambro Hot Box Food Carriers (Reviews & Buying Guide)
| ⭐ BEST OVERALL ⭐ | 🥈 RUNNER-UP 🥈 | 💵 BEST VALUE 💵 |
|---|---|---|
  |   |   |
| Cambro Camtherm | Cambro Ultra | Cambro GoBox |
Why are Cambro Hot Boxes loved by caterers and event planners everywhere? Because they work. Plain and simple. They’re durable, stackable, portable, and they keep food hot or cold for hours. There are plenty of models to choose from, so we put each one through our review process and came up with our Top 6. We considered heat retention, price, and effectiveness to find the best of the best.
BEST ELECTRIC FOOD CARRIER CART
The Cambro CamTherm is the only food carrier on the market that has a separate heating and cooling module installed, allowing it to go from hot to cold with the flip of a switch. Not only is it ideal for staging food in kitchens, but it’s perfect for catering and banquet events as well.
The dual-compartment pan carrier sits on heavy duty casters and is constructed of durable rotomolded polyethylene. Its doors are lined with magnetic gaskets and swing open 270º to reveal adjustable chrome plated rails that can hold up to 24 full size 2 ½” GN pans.
The top and bottom compartment are each equipped with a heating and cooling module to allow for the temperature of each compartment to be completely independent of each other. An integrated solar digital thermometer on the front lets you monitor the temperature at a glance.
| Key Features |
|---|
| ✅ Keeps food hot or cold |
| ✅ Digital thermometer |
| ✅ Holds 24 full size pans |
| ✅ Swivel casters with brakes |
| ✅ Self-venting humidity and pressure control cap |
| ✅ Adjustable rails |
Exterior Dimensions: 30 ½” x 39” x 64 3/8”
Weight: 325.5 lbs
BEST FRONT-LOADING PAN CARRIER
The Cambro Ultra Pan Carrier is a portable non-electric front-loading food carrier specifically designed with caterers in mind.
Its one-piece rotomolded design features molded in rails for seamless construction and maximum durability. The built-in handles and smartly shaped top give staff a portable, stackable solution to transporting food quickly and easily.
It holds three 4” deep full size GN pans, or a combination of fractional pans, and keeps food hot or cold for at least four hours. With a fully removable gasketless door and dishwasher-safe material, end of day cleanup is a breeze.
| Key Features |
|---|
| ✅ Fits three 4” deep full size pans |
| ✅ Stacks with 300MPC, 1318CC, and 1318MTC |
| ✅ One-piece construction |
| ✅ Durable, dent-proof design |
| ✅ Keeps food at temperature for four hours |
Exterior Dimensions: 17” x 25 ¾” x 22 3/8”
Interior Dimensions: 13 ¼” x 21” x 14”
Weight: 23.3 lbs
BEST PORTABLE FOOD TRANSPORTER
The Cambro EPP180SW GoBox is a more affordable, lightweight alternative to the CamCarrier 100 Series. Made from expanded polypropylene foam material, it weighs less than 3 lbs and is ideal for transporting large amounts of food or for staging take-out orders at restaurants.
It can fit a full size 8” deep pan or it can hold several take-out containers instead. The insulated foam material keeps food at its desired temperature for hours and is resistant to most grease, oil, and chemicals.
Each GoBox has a blank panel on front that can be color coded for quick identification. They’re also stackable with other Go Boxes and are compatible with rolling CamDollies.
| Key Features |
|---|
| ✅ Lightweight |
| ✅ Stackable |
| ✅ Fits CamDollies |
| ✅ Stain resistant |
| ✅ Color coded |
Exterior Dimensions: 23.6” x 15.7” x 12.4”
Interior Dimensions: 21.2” x 13.3” x 10”
Weight: 2.65 lbs
BEST TOP-LOADING PAN CARRIER
With built-in finger notches, staff are able to quickly load full size or fractional GN pans (up to 8” deep) into the CamCarrier 100 Series. The ergonomic handles allow for easy transportation, and when the food is ready to be served, simply place it on the serving table and remove the top cover.
Its polyethylene shell is rust-free, dent-free, and crack-resistant, making for an extremely durable pan carrier that can stand the test of time. The dual-sided clasps hold the top in place while the removable gasket creates an airtight seal that keeps food at temperature for hours.
Its stackable, portable, and quick-serve design can be a lifesaver for busy staff. When it’s time to clean up, just remove the gasket from the top and place the entire thing in the dishwasher. It’s that easy!
| Key Features |
|---|
| ✅ Compatible with CamDolly |
| ✅ Damage-proof material |
| ✅ 8” deep for multiple pans |
| ✅ Quick-serve design |
| ✅ Interlocks and stacks with other CamCarriers |
Exterior Dimensions: 26 ¾” x 18” x 15”
Interior Dimensions: 21 ¾” x 13 ¾” x 8”
Weight: 24.7 lbs
BEST NYLON DELIVERY BAG
Constructed with a tough nylon shell and a high density insulated lining, these jumbo delivery bags are lightweight, durable, and the perfect way to deliver warm food to your customers.
The heavy duty sewn-in straps prevent wear-and-tear and the clear ticket pouch on the front makes it easy to identify orders. The breathable nylon material allows for superior moisture control and the insulated PVC lining not only keeps food hot for hours, but it makes cleanup easy.
Measuring in at 18” x 14” x 12” and coming in a pack of four, Cambro’s Jumbo GoBags can fit any sized order. They’re a must-have for delivery drivers, caterers, or the casual party enthusiast.
| Key Features |
|---|
| ✅ Breathable nylon material |
| ✅ Durable sewn-in straps |
| ✅ PVC lining for easy cleanup |
| ✅ 4-Pack of jumbo-sized bags |
| ✅ Stain resistant and dishwasher safe |
Interior Dimensions: 18” x 14” x 12”
BEST BEVERAGE DISPENSER
The Cambro Camtainer 500LCD maintains the temperature of beverages, soups, or dips and is ideal for catering or outdoor events. Its heavy duty, damage-proof construction is both long-lasting and protects against accidents.
Because it incorporates plastic latches instead of metal, the entire Camtainer is rust-proof and resistant to chips and cracks. The thick walls make for great insulation and keep beverages hot or cold for at least four hours.
It features a recessed drip-free faucet for dispensing and a sticker set for identifying the contents. The molded-in ergonomic handles allow for easy carrying and the smartly designed top and bottom lets you stack them on top of each other should space be limited.
| Key Features |
|---|
| ✅ Stackable |
| ✅ Holds nearly 5 gallons |
| ✅ Rust-proof and damage-resistant |
| ✅ Sticker label set |
| ✅ Vent cap for maintaining ideal pressure |
Exterior dimensions: 9” x 16 ½” x 24 ¼”
Weight: 15.5 lbs
How To Choose The Best Cambro Hot Box Food Carrier – Buying Guide
Types of Cambro Hot Boxes
Cambro food carriers are an essential part of any catering or take-out business. With their durable and lightweight design, they keep food hot and allow staff to transport and serve food in the most efficient way possible.
Since every business is different, it’s important to find the right type of food carrier for your needs. Below, we’ll go over the six main types of carriers: front-loading pan carriers, top-loading pan carriers, electric pan carriers, food transporters, delivery bags, and beverage carriers.
Front-Loading Pan Carriers
Front-loading pan carriers are the backbone to any catering event. Rotomolded from polyethylene for a one-piece design, their lightweight and rugged construction are both unbreakable and easy to carry. The seamlessly molded side rails carry full size Gastronorm pans and the CFC-free insulation ensures that food stays hot or cold for hours.
Some front-loaders are equipped with casters for a more permanent design, while others are meant for portability – they have handles, they can be stacked, and they’re compatible with rolling CamDollies.
Advantages
- Transportable
- Compatible with casters
- Unbreakable and dent-resistant
- High food storage capacity
- Dishwasher safe
- Most are stackable and have handles
Top-Loading Pan Carriers
Top-loading pan carriers are designed with portability and convenience in mind. Made from the same rugged polyethylene as the front-loaders, Cambro’s top-loaders are just as durable and damage-proof.
The shallowest model is capable of holding a single full-sized GN pan, while other models are capable of holding 4 inch, 6 inch, or even 8 inch deep pans.
Because of their compact design, they’re often placed on a serving table with the food pan directly inside, allowing for a simple and convenient way to serve guests.
Advantages
- Portable
- Easy to serve
- Holds full-sized and fractional pans
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Stackable
Electric Pan Carriers
While non-electric pan carriers are great for remote locations without electricity, an electric powered pan carrier is a must for any serious catering business or restaurant. Yes, they’re expensive, but keeping your food hot and your clients happy is the name of the game.
Every time you open a pan carrier, it loses heat. If an event is going to last all day or you need to frequently access the food, then an electric food carrier will ensure that your food stays heated indefinitely.
Advantages
- Food stays at temperature
- Longer events can be scheduled for your business
- Casters for portability
- Swappable heating/cooling modules
- Integrated digital thermometer
Food Transporters
Cambro’s GoBox line is the catch-all for food not meant for a pan. They’re a favorite among caterers for holding fruits, desserts, etc., while restaurants use them for staging pick-up orders.
Made from a high density polypropylene foam material, they insulate food just as well as the rotomolded pan carriers, but are much lighter in weight.
There are multiple sizes available to fit virtually any need. Some are meant for full sized pans, while others are designed for milk crates. There’s even a compartmentalized GoBox meant for individual meals.
Advantages
- Lightweight
- Lots of sizes
- Food stays hot/cold 4+ hours
- Affordable
- Great for staging take-out orders
Delivery Bags
Constructed with flexible, durable nylon, Cambro GoBags are the go-to choice for food delivery services. They’re packed with high density insulation to preserve food temperatures, ensuring your customers are happy and able to experience your food the way it was intended.
With nine different bag sizes available, you’ll be able to keep food warm no matter how big (or small) the order.
Advantages
- Lightweight
- Various sizes
- Durable material
- Stain-resistant
- Easy-carry handles
Beverage Carriers
Often overlooked, beverage carriers play an integral part in a successful catering service. Not only do they keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot, they’re also a great solution for transporting soups, dips, and other temperature sensitive liquids.
They come in multiple sizes and, because they’re constructed from the same insulated polyethylene as the pan carriers, beverages stay hot or cold for up to four hours.
Each unit is equipped with a recessed faucet for even dispensing and lid latches for easy access. They’re also stackable and have handles for maximum portability.
Advantages
- Multiple sizes
- Can be used for soups or dips
- Durable and strong
- Portable
- Stackable
- Integrated drip-free faucet
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Cambro?
Made by Cambro Manufacturing, a Cambro hot box is an insulated food carrier for caterers and event planners to keep food at a desired temperature.
Can a Cambro keep food cold?
In addition to keeping food hot, Cambro food carriers also have the ability to keep foods like desserts and salads cold for hours.
How long does food stay hot or cold in a Cambro?
Cambro’s non-electric insulated food carrier boxes keep food hot (within 10ºF) or cold (within 20ºF) for around 4 hours – even longer if they’ve been pre-heated with a CamWarmer or pre-chilled with a CamChiller.
Conclusion
We hope that this review has helped you find the best Cambro hot box. As you can see, there are plenty to choose from, each with their own unique features.
The best overall is the Cambro Camtherm Hot/Cold Holding Cabinets (Tall). It keeps food either hot or cold, it can hold up to 24 full size pans, and it has swivel casters with brakes.
The next best thing is the Cambro Ultra (UPC300). It holds three 4″ deep full size pans, it’s very durable, and it keeps food at temperature for four hours.
The best bang for your buck is the Cambro Full Size GoBox (EPP180SW). It’s lightweight, stackable, and can be wheeled around with CamDollies.
If none of these food carriers fit your needs, then we also gave you three great alternatives to choose from.
Thanks for reading!