You are planning a Thanksgiving dinner, but don’t know how to keep it warm? Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that all of your guests arrive to a hot Thanksgiving dinner. Whether you’re using insulated Styrofoam coolers or a stainless steel rack, there are a few things that you can do to keep food warm. Listed below are some tips and tricks to keep your food warm.

Pre-made dishes from drying out

One of the most challenging aspects of Thanksgiving dinner preparation is timing, especially because of the limited space available in the oven. Celebrity chef Bobby Flay, who hosts an epic Thanksgiving dinner in his New York apartment each year, has discovered a brilliant solution for this problem. The key is to heat pre-made dishes before serving them in the oven. Here’s a look at how Bobby Flay manages to keep his pre-made dishes from drying out before serving.

Insulated Styrofoam coolers

One way to warm a cooler is by filling it with water. You can either buy oven bricks or use aluminum foil. Either way, the water will help warm the cooler and keep your food warm. You can also line the cooler with towels. Then, place a folded towel on the bottom. To make it look more attractive, you can also use spray paint or washi tape to customize the cooler.

Stainless steel roasting pans

Stainless steel roasting pans can help you keep your Thanksgiving dinner foods hot and tasty, and are a great way to impress your family and friends. Made of heavy-duty steel, roasting pans can withstand high heat without warping or corroding. Typically, they last for five to six years, but they may be damaged more easily if not treated carefully. You can reduce their lifespan by keeping them clean.

Stainless steel rack

Keeping your Thanksgiving dinner food hot is one of the key points of the holiday. This special occasion is all about sharing a delicious meal with loved ones. Thanksgiving dinner preparations can take hours and you need to make sure your dinner is perfect. Luckily, there are some useful gadgets that can cut down on your prep time. Here are some of them:

Baking pies the night before Thanksgiving

If you plan to freeze pies for Thanksgiving dinner, doing so will be a lifesaver in the days leading up to the holiday. Just make sure to use a pie dish made of ceramic or metal, as these can be easily transferred from the freezer to the oven. Glass or Pyrex pie dishes can easily shatter when the temperature changes dramatically. Baking pies the night before Thanksgiving keeps them warm for the big day.

Basting turkey with pan drippings

A perfectly cooked turkey has moist, golden skin and crisp, tender meat. It is also flavorful. The key to basting your turkey is to do it periodically, but not too often. Opening the oven door too often will slow down the cooking process. Ideally, basting should be done about every half hour to one hour before you plan to serve it. Basting also prevents overcooking, so make sure to keep an eye on the time.

Making stock a week before Thanksgiving

One tip for cooking for a successful Thanksgiving dinner is to make turkey stock a week ahead. You can freeze this stock and use it as a gravy, de-glazing your roasting pan, and even braising vegetables. You can also make veggie stock if you’re preparing a vegetarian menu. Turkey stock can be frozen, too, so you can reheat it anytime you’d like.