Benchstar Benchtop Heated Bain Marie ZCK165BT-1

The Benchstar ZCK165BT-1 is a benchtop heated bain marie supplied with a 150 mm 1/1 pan and lid, holding food between +30 and +80C under analogue temperature control. Its heating elements are hidden, separate from the tank — safer, easier to clean and less prone to corrosion than exposed elements — and a drain valve empties it without lifting. Important: this is a wet-use-only unit. Running it dry voids the warranty.

Why operators choose the ZCK165BT-1

• Wet use only — must be run with water in the tank — the hidden elements transfer heat through water, so running dry both damages the unit and voids the warranty
• 150 mm 1/1 gastronorm pan and lid included — ready to use out of the box rather than needing pans specified separately
• Elements hidden and separate from the tank — nothing exposed to food or cleaning water — safer, easier to clean, and far less prone to corrosion
• Drain valve — empty the water from the tap rather than lifting a hot, full tank
• Analogue temperature control, +30 to +80C — one dial across the holding band, with nothing to mis-set
• All stainless steel — stands up to the constant moisture a bain marie lives in
• Compact 360 x 590 mm footprint — fits a servery or buffet run where a full-width bain marie will not
• 10.46 kg unit weight — light enough to move between a kitchen and a function room

Specifications

Venue suitability

The ZCK165BT-1 suits cafes, canteens, function rooms, caterers and clubs holding sauces, curries, vegetables or soups at serving temperature on a servery. Because it is wet use only, it is not the right choice for anyone wanting a dry holding unit — a dry cabinet or heat lamp is the alternative there.

Compare the full range of portable and benchtop bain maries or see more from Benchstar.

Installation & delivery

This is a wet-use-only bain marie: the tank must be filled with water before use, and running it dry voids the warranty. The elements are hidden beneath the tank and rely on water to carry heat to the pan, so running dry overheats them. Make water-filling part of the opening routine. It runs on a standard 240 V supply through a normal 10 A power outlet, so no dedicated circuit and no hard-wiring are needed. Allow 360 x 590 mm of bench with access to the drain valve, and site it near a sink for filling and emptying. Dispatched from our Sydney HQ with partner warehouses in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth for faster delivery Australia-wide. Backed by a 12-month return-to-base warranty — the unit is returned for service rather than attended on site. See our warranty information page for full terms.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Can the ZCK165BT-1 be used dry? A: No. It is specified as wet use only, and Benchstar states the warranty is void if it is run dry. The heating elements sit hidden beneath the tank and rely on water to carry heat to the pan, so running dry overheats them.

Q: Why does running it dry cause damage? A: The elements are separate from and hidden beneath the tank rather than in direct contact with the food pan. Water is what transfers their heat evenly. Without it the elements have nowhere to shed heat, which is why the manufacturer excludes dry running from the warranty.

Q: Is a pan included? A: Yes. A 150mm deep 1/1 gastronorm pan and lid are supplied with the unit.

Q: What temperature range does it hold? A: +30 to +80C on an analogue control, which covers holding sauces, curries, vegetables and soups at safe serving temperature.

Q: How is the water emptied? A: Through a drain valve, so the tank does not have to be lifted while hot and full.

Q: What warranty applies? A: Twelve months, return to base. The unit is returned for service rather than a technician attending on site — reasonable on a benchtop appliance you can transport, but worth factoring into downtime planning.