How to Keep Hot Dogs Warm After Grilling for Party, Crowd, School Lunch, and Picnic

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Like everyone else, I’ve struggled with cold hot dogs too. But instead of avoiding hot dogs altogether, I kept experimenting. Luckily, I found some amazing ways to keep hot dogs warm. So, in this article, I’ll tell you how to keep hot dogs warm after grilling. 

I’ve included all my methods so that you can use any of them according to your convenience. You will also find the step-by-step process of the methods.

So, keep reading to enjoy some warm hot dogs even if some time has passed after grilling them. 

How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm After Grilling – 6 Best Ways You Can Follow

You can keep hot dogs warm using – 

  • Oven
  • Roaster
  • Thermos
  • A Cooler
  • Slow Cooker
  • Chafing Dish. 
  • A good Crockpot

Let me see the step-by-step process, warnings, pros, cons of each way, and discover the best product that keeps the grilled hot dog warm perfectly for hours.

How To Keep Hotdogs Warm In Crockpot

In case all your guests couldn’t attend the dinner on time, you can keep the hot dogs warm in a crockpot. If you haven’t cooked the sausages yet, it’s a good idea to add a bit of water to the crockpot, soak the sausages in them, and turn on the crockpot on the lowest setting. 

However, if you want to keep grilled hot dogs warm, you need to follow the steps below.

  • Turn on your crockpot and set it to its lowest temperature setting. 
  • Keep the hot dogs inside the crockpot. 
  • Close the lid and keep the hot dogs warm.
  • The keep-warm option can keep the sausages warm and delicious for quite a few hours. 

Using this method, you can keep the hot dogs warm for about 2 or 3 hours. Remember to use the lowest temperature setting on your crockpot. It’s a great way to keep the sausages warm without burning them. 

Here’s My Top Pick – Crockpot- Digital Timer with Slow Cooker

Consider Crockpot- Digital Timer with Slow Cooker for keeping your hot dogs warm. It’s a stunning unit you can use for various recipes. Besides, you can keep your food warm for a really long time. The timer can be set up to 20 hours, so there’s no need to worry about cold food anymore.

Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer, Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S), pack of 1
Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer, Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S), pack of 1
6 quart Cook & Carry Slow Cooker serves 7 plus people; Easy to use locking lid featuring lid gasket provides extra seal for less mess on the go
$81.53 Amazon Prime

Top Features

  • Easy to Use 
  • 6-quart capacity
  • Comes with recipes
  • Automatic warm setting
  • Countdown from thirty minutes up to twenty hours
  • Microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe inner stoneware

Another fascinating feature of this cooker is the keep warm option. Once the food is cooked, the unit will automatically stop cooking it and turn the warm mode on. The stone insert on this slow cooker is another wonder. 

You can use it in a microwave, and it’ll withstand up to 400 degrees F. Additional features includes a 6-quart capacity that can cook for about seven people, a lock system on the lid, and ease of use.

Following the step-by-step process by using the right crockpot with the proper additional information can keep the hot dogs warm for hours after hours.

Related: How To Keep Meat Warm After Smoking For Hours Without Dying Out

How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm In A Roaster

One uncommon way of keeping hot dogs warm is using a roaster. I bet you didn’t know about the versatility of a roaster.

Let’s see how you can do that. 

  • Add one and half a cup of water to the roaster insert.
  • Connect the unit to an electric outlet. 
  • Preheat your roaster for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees F. 
  • Now, place the rack inside the roaster so that the rack doesn’t touch the water. 
  • Place the hot dogs on the rack. Close the lid. 
  • Turn off the roaster, and the hot dogs will stay warm even after some time. 

You can expect the hot dogs to stay two or three hours warm in the roaster. If you want to cook hot dogs in a roaster, that’s an entirely different process to follow. The method I described above uses steam to keep the hot dogs warm. 

It’s a good idea to preheat your roaster while the sausages are still on the grill. This way, the hot dogs won’t get cold, and you can directly transfer them from the grill to the roaster.

Related: How To Keep Rotisserie Chicken Warm (11 Exclusive Ways)

Here’s My Top Pick – Oster Electric Roaster Oven with Self-Basting Lid

This is the best version of a roaster you can get. It has a removable rack and roasting for easy cleaning, a self-basting lid to circulate the moisture, and a temperature range of 150 degrees to 450 degrees. The vast temperature range allows you to bake, roast, and slow cook using the same appliance.

Top Features

  • Self-basting lid
  • 22-quart capacity
  • Stainless steel material 
  • Wide temperature range 
  • Removable pan and rack

Besides, you can use the pan to serve your guests too. The lid is designed to save energy and speed up cooking time. All in all, this roaster is a complete package to award your kitchen with an extraordinary vibe.  

If you want the perfect roaster to keep your hot dogs warm after grilling, the best option to go for is Oster Roaster Oven. Unlike many other roasters, it can cook and keep the hot dogs warm for a long time so that no guests ever have to eat a cold hot dog. 

Also Read: Best Butcher Paper For Smoking Meat (Pink, Peach, White, and More)

How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm In A Chafing Dish

A chafing dish can be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping your food warm. However, a dish with a warmer attached to it is a lot more effective. If you’re using only a chafing dish without any heat, it may not stay warm for long. 

Let’s see the step-by-step process – 

  • Make sure you grill your sausages thoroughly, so they’re fully cooked. 
  • If you’re only using a chafing dish, wrap the hot dogs in aluminum foil. 
  • Place them in a chafing dish. 
  • Cover the dish with a proper lid to prevent the heat from escaping. 
  • Don’t use the aluminum foil if there’s an electric warmer beneath the chafing dish.

The time varies depending on the way you’re storing your hot dogs. If you use a warming tray, the hot dogs will stay warm all day long. However, if you’re plainly placing them on a chafing dish without any heat source, they’ll get cold after a few hours. 

Here’s My Top Pick – Chefman Buffet Server & Chafing Dishes

One of the best ways to keep your hot dogs warm is to use the Chefman Buffet Server & Chafing Dishes. It has three chafing dishes that sit on a buffet server to keep the food warm. You can adjust the temperature according to your necessity, and the food won’t get cold all day long. 

The good news is, you can also use your own dishes on the server. This way, you can keep changing the dishes and keep them continually warm on any occasion.

Top Features

  • Affordable
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Cool-to-touch handles
  • Compatible with other cookware
  • Keeps your food warm all day long
  • Convenient temperature adjustments

The accessories that come with the buffet server are dishwasher safe. So, there’s no need to worry about messy cleanups. Cool-to-touch handles work as icing on the cake. No more burning your hands while maneuvering the cookware. 

With this buffet server and chafing dishes, you will not only reduce your work but also keep the hot dogs warm and juicy all day long. Use this unit rather than an ordinary chafing dish to speed up your cooking procedure and make the arrangement more effective. 

How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm In Slow Cooker

Using a slow cooker to keep hot dogs warm is a popular and easy way. Many people will suggest you do so as it doesn’t require much labor and pretty much everyone owns one. 

So, let’s take a look at the procedure. 

  • Add your perfectly grilled sausages to the slow cooker.  
  • Turn on the cooker and set the cooker to warm. 
  • Keep the lid closed and keep the unit on for however long you want your sausages warm. 
  • Avoid adding any condiments beforehand.
  • Once you’re ready to serve, bring them out, add them to the buns, and add your spices. 

Using a slow cooker will keep your hot dogs warm for a long time, given that you’re using the proper unit. You can also cook the sausages in a slow cooker. If you’re only using a cooker to keep the sausages warm, make sure to cook them thoroughly on the grill. 

Here’s My Top Pick – Electric Slow Cooker Food Warmer

Electric Slow Cooker Food Warmer can be the perfect unit for your hot dogs. It’s a food warmer and slow cooker from Nutrichef that can ease your way around the kitchen. An ultra-quiet operation with an easy-to-use function will surely make you want to own this appliance. 

Any occasion will become a lot easier to deal with if you have such a multifunctional unit by your side.

Top Features

  • Easy to use
  • Easy to clean
  • Stain-resistant
  • Multifunctional
  • Compact and portable

The material is stainless steel, so washing it is as easy as it gets. Besides, it’s also stain-resistant. Another fascinating feature of this slow cooker is that it’s portable. 

The compact size allows it to be convenient to carry whenever necessary. So, if you want a versatile appliance to enrich your kitchen counter, get this one without any second thoughts.  

If you are using a slow cooker to keep your hot dogs warm, why not use the best one? Using this slow cooker from Nutrichef will not only keep the food warm but also make your cooking experience much more enjoyable than before. Besides, there’s no bad time to add an excellent appliance to your kitchen. 

How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm In A Thermos 

A thermos is a unique way of keeping hot dogs warm. It’s an excellent way if you want your kids to have hot sausages ready for lunch. It’s also great for shortcuts. If you don’t want to get too expensive or large appliances, a thermos can be your go-to unit. 

Let’s see the step-by-step process – 

  • Wash your thermos thoroughly before putting anything in it. 
  • Heat some water to the boiling point.
  • Pour the thermos with boiling hot water.
  • Close the lid and keep the water inside for about ten minutes.
  • Pour out the water and keep the grilled hot dogs inside. 
  • Close the lid tightly and don’t open it until serving. 

Using the right thermos can keep the hot dogs warm for about two hours. Even though it’s not a long-lasting solution, it can be great for short-term solutions. 

Here’s My Top Pick – Thermos Vacuum Insulated Matte Steel Food Jar

Thermos Insulated Food Jar is everything you need to keep your food warm. It comes with a 47-ounce capacity and a wide mouth. Hence, you can easily access the food. You can store both hot and cold food inside of it. It won’t sweat if you’re storing something cold, which is great. 

Both the interior and the exterior is made from high-quality stainless steel. You can expect the unit to keep your food hot for up to ten hours.

Top Features

  • 47-ounce capacity
  • Two containers inside
  • Durable and lightweight
  • Cool to touch with hot food
  • Sweat-resistant with cold food

There are two containers inside this jar. So, you can carry separate food types inside it. When you fill it with hot food, you won’t feel hot from the outside, so it’s convenient to carry. 

You can easily use this to keep the grill hot dogs warm for a long time. Besides, if you want to carry the sausages somewhere, it can be an excellent option due to their durability. 

How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm In A Cooler

One of the lesser-known methods of keeping hot dogs warm is using a cooler. Using a cooler is pretty straightforward than other methods. 

Let’s take a look at the procedure without any delay.

  • Grill your hot dogs thoroughly.
  • Place the sausages in an airtight container.
  • Keep the container in a cooler.
  • Make sure the closing is properly locked.

If you use the right cooler, the food will stay warm for up to 12 hours. Besides, it’s an option you can consider when you need to carry the food somewhere with you. 

Here’s My Top Pick – Jumbo Insulated Reusable Cooler Bag

This cooler bag will be perfect for you in any situation. It can keep the hot dogs warm for up to twelve hours. If you want to carry your food to another place, this bag is perfect for you. It comes with a 12-gallon capacity, so load anything you want.

High-quality materials will not disappoint you when you need your food to stay at the same temperature you stored.

Top Features

  • Durable
  • Easy to clean
  • Easy to carry 
  • Large capacity
  • Insulated and features high-quality materials

The bag is also convenient to carry and clean with no extra hassle. It’s a reusable bag as opposed to costly one-time options. Consider this bag for an all-rounder solution to keep food warm or cold for an extended period. 

If you don’t have a cooler bag yet, but you’re considering one, this is the most suitable one. It can work as a versatile bag that keeps your food cold or warm according to your need. Besides, it’s a great carrier for picnics too.  

How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm For A Picnic 

If you need to keep some hot dogs warm for a picnic, a cooler bag will be more convenient than others. It’s easily portable and keeps your food warm for up to twelve hours. The Jumbo Insulated Reusable Cooler Bag is a perfect choice if you’re considering getting one. It has a large capacity, so you can easily load food for all of your friends and family inside it.

How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm For A Party

There are multiple options for you if you’re organizing a party because you don’t need anything portable. However, the Chefman Buffet Server & Chafing Dishes will be comparatively more suitable among other options. You can continually keep the hot dogs warm by changing the dishes on the buffet server, and no one will be served cold food.

How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm On The Go

When you have to take the hot dogs on the go, you need a portable option. The best portable option is Thermos Vacuum Insulated Matte Steel Food Jar. It will keep the hot dogs warm for a long time, and you can easily consume the food, even when you’re traveling. 

The cooler bag is also a great option. However, if you’re not carrying food for a crowd, it’s better to stick to the thermos.

How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm For Lunch

Using a slow cooker or a crockpot is one of the most effective ways of keeping hot dogs warm for lunch. An Electric Slow Cooker Food Warmer will surely make your job more convenient due to its versatility. You can add one to your kitchen counter and forget about reheating hot dogs after grilling.

How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm For School Lunch

Undoubtedly, Thermos Vacuum Insulated Matte Steel Food Jar is the best option for keeping hot dogs warm for school lunch. It’s a safe and convenient option for your kids. Besides, the wide mouth comes in handy when eating food from inside it. So, no extra utensils are required.

How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm Without Electricity

A few options do not require electricity to keep hot dogs warm. Jumbo Insulated Reusable Cooler Bag is one of those options. You can also go with the thermos if you don’t need to store a large number of hot dogs. Depending on your need, you can go with either of them.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve got a lot of new ideas about how to keep hot dogs warm after grilling. The truth is, if you want your hot dogs to stay warm for an extended period, you’ll have to invest in a good quality unit. It can be a slow cooker, a roaster, a thermos, a cooler bag, or a crockpot. Remember that none of these options are limited to keeping hot dogs warm. You can use these for many other cooking procedures too. So, determine your needs and select the most suitable option for you.

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