Keeping Mashed Potatoes Warm

[jacquelyncoffey]

What's your trick for doing this without using the oven? Thanks!

[pine time]

I tried 2 oddball ways:
1. Electric skillet on the lowest setting--worked quite well, and I had the bonus of crispy bits at the bottom as a chef's treat
2. In a covered metal bowl, sitting on a medium-warm electric griddle--not successful.

[Scoutmaster]

I think I saw Alton Brown use a heating pad in a box once...

[isthisedible]

If you are just worried about keeping warm until serving (no traveling with them) you might want to try simply placing the pot with the mashed potatoes in in a larger pot (or roasting pan) on the stove and filling the larger vessel with a few inches of hot water and keep on a low simmer. The water / extra pan should keep them from scorching until you are ready to serve them. Seems to work well for me...

[critter101]

Do you want to keep them warm on the serving table, or only until serving time? If you mash and prepare them, you can cover the dish, and place in a pre-warmed (partially fill with hot water, allow to heat up, then remove water and wipe inside of box dry) insulated food container with a closed top. Like a large Igloo or Thermos box.

[lcool]

crock pot

[Bigley9]

+1 just did this for the first time around Thanksgiving - perfect!

[jacquelyncoffey]

I would like to use the crock pot, but mine is really old and only has Low/High settings and could still get hot at the bottom, enough to scorch or dry them out. Should I put water in the bottom and set the bowl of potatoes in and cover?

[lcool]

If you think the bottom is too hot,yes to the water for a modified water bath.Maybe even sort of wrap,pad the bowl you would use in a wet towel so you don't have to fuss with much water mess.

[tcamp]

I have an old crockpot too (vintage, according to ebay) and have never had a scorching issue when keeping mashed potatoes warm in this manner.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-AVOCA...