How long will a lasagna stay warm out of the oven?

[elliora]

We are having my sons first birthday next weekend at a local gymnastics place. They do not have an oven and I am trying to figure out what to serve for dinner. If I made lasagnas at home, how long would it stay warm for? Even If I took it out of the oven right before we leave it would still probably sit out for almost 2 hours, maybe a little less. If I wrapped it in foil and towels would it still be warm enough to serve or should I think of another idea?

[malabargold]

Its a physics problem.
Need to know mass of lasgna, percent water weight of lasagna, if its in a metal dish, or something less conductive, and the difference in ambient temp of room and temp of lasagna

[chowser]

Oh, another idea. Microwave dried beans in a pillow case. Put in bottom of aluminum tray and put the lasagna on that and cover the whole thing.

[rasputina]

What kind of pan are you using? I'd use enameled cast iron or some type of pottery/stoneware. They retain heat better.

[Astur]

Do you have a roaster oven? You mentioned that a crockpot will be in attendance so you can it seems have plug in appliances. A roaster oven will keep them warm/reheat.

[chowser]

This is one of my best impulse purchases. I think I got it from Bed, Bath and Beyond. It's great for heat or cold.

http://kitchen-dining.hsn.com/pyrex-p...

Mine has three pyrex containers--one 9x13, 2 8x11. You could use the smaller containers to keep the hot dogs hot.

[magiesmom]

If you wrap it in towels and put it in a cooler it will be warm, not piping hot, but warm.

[perk]

There are a number of pastas than can be served at room temperature. That might work a little better.

[thimes]

I was going to give you about an hour. At 2 hours it would be a little warmer than room temp I would guess - not horrible but I wouldn't think hot. You say it is your son's first birthday, so I'm assuming he isn't eating it ;) Is this for the adults? If it was for kids I'd say you might be able to get away with it but adults might think it wasn't hot enough . . . . .

[elliora]

Yeah, it is mainly for the adults, although I am sure he will have a few bites! We leave the house at 2:20 and eat at 4. We have about 15 kids and 20 adults, I have hot dogs for the kids that I will keep warm in the crockpot but was trying to avoid pizza or sandwiches for the adults. Don't want to serve them cold food either though....

[thimes]

It will be pushing it a little but . . . . If your lasagna pan will fit in a beverage cooler (or if you make it in 2 pans that will fit in a cooler) you might be able to pull it off. Beverage coolers hold heat pretty well (the same way they hold cold) and caterers use a similar type of hot box to hold food for long times.

If you do it that way I bet it will be warm and people will be happy.

I do the same thing with hot dogs (okay brats more typically). I pour boiling hot water (okay beer, water and onions) into a large thermos along with brats and they will stay warm through an entire football game which is way longer than a few hours.