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Deal.ai › Compare

Costway Food Warmer Buffet Server vs Garvee Food Warming Mat 36x16

The Costway is the better pick for serving a full buffet: three stainless trays with lids, a water pan, and a 122–302°F range let you hold hot entrees and sides at real serving heat. The Garvee is a flat silicone mat that tops out around 230°F and heats in 6–8 minutes, so it keeps food warm rather than cooking or reheating it, but it rolls up, wipes clean, and fits a long counter. Build quality favors the Costway's steel trays; owners of mats like the Garvee praise easy cleanup but note slower warm-up and lower heat.

  • Choose the Costway if you host buffets, parties, or catered events and need lidded trays, a wide temperature range, and a portable bag for transport.
  • Choose the Garvee if you want a slim, rollable mat that fits a long table, wipes clean, and keeps dishes warm with a digital timer and child lock.

Prices

  • Costway Food Warmer Buffet Server: $51.99 at Walmart (checked today)
  • Garvee Food Warming Mat 36x16: $38.69 at Amazon (last seen Nov 11)
  • Difference: the Garvee Food Warming Mat 36x16 is $13.30 cheaper than the Costway Food Warmer Buffet Server at the latest prices (Nov 11 and Nov 14)
Costway
Costway Food Warmer Buffet Server 450W Stainless Steel Electric Warming Tray for Parties

Costway Food Warmer Buffet Server

Costway Food Warmer Buffet Server 450W Stainless Steel Electric Warming Tray for Parties

4.1(112 ratings)
$51.99at WalmartChecked 11 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Three lidded trays with spoon slots for self-serving
  • Wide 122–302°F range holds hot food at serving heat
  • Dishwasher-safe trays and a carry bag
  • ETL listed with anti-slip feet
Cons
  • Heavier at 9.3 lb and bulky to store
  • Recommended warming time is only 3 hours
  • No digital display or timer
  • Lower owner rating at 4.1 from 112 ratings
Garvee
Garvee Food Warming Mat 36x16 Inch Extra Large Silicone Fast Heating

Garvee Food Warming Mat 36x16

Garvee Food Warming Mat 36x16 Inch Extra Large Silicone Fast Heating

4.9(54 ratings)
$38.69at AmazonChecked Nov 11
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Large 36 x 16 in surface fits many dishes at once
  • Digital display, 1–6 hour timer, and child lock
  • Rolls up for flat storage and wipes clean
  • Higher rating at 4.9 from 54 ratings
Cons
  • Tops out near 230°F, so it warms but does not cook
  • 6–8 minute warm-up is slower than a tray
  • No lids, so food dries out and cools faster
  • Silicone surface is not dishwasher-safe

What separates them

Costway Food Warmer Buffet ServerGarvee Food Warming Mat 36x16
Form factorThree stainless trays over a warming tray with a water panFlat oval silicone mat, 36 x 16 in, rolls up
Temperature range122°F to 302°F, adjustable knob104°F to 230°F, 8 digital levels
Heat-upCirculation warming, no stated warm-up time6–8 minutes to reach top heat
Capacity8 qt across 3 trays, 19 x 10.5 in warming area36 x 16 in surface for multiple dishes
Lids and servingTransparent lids with handles and spoon slotsOpen surface, no lids
CleaningTrays are dishwasher-safe; base wipes downWaterproof surface wipes clean; not dishwasher-safe
PortabilitySide handles and a carry bagLight and rollable, stores flat
Safety featuresETL listed, anti-slip feet, indicator lightsAuto shut-off, child lock, elevated feet

Price history

$56.76$38.69
Nov 11Nov 14
  • Costway Food Warmer Buffet Server: lowest $51.99 on Nov 14 at Walmart.
  • Garvee Food Warming Mat 36x16: lowest $38.69 on Nov 11 at Amazon.

Prices at every store

Costway Food Warmer Buffet Server

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by CostwayReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $51.99Free shippingChecked 11 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • The Home DepotNew

    In stock

    $56.76Free shippingChecked 11 h ago
    Visit The Home Depot
  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $64.99Free shippingChecked 11 h ago
    Visit Best Buy

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 3 stores and price history →

Garvee Food Warming Mat 36x16

  • GARVEENew

    In stockReturn policy

    $69.99Checked 11 h ago
    Visit GARVEE
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $38.69Free shippingChecked Nov 11
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecCostway Food Warmer Buffet ServerGarvee Food Warming Mat 36x16
colorSilverbeige
size26" x 14" x 6.5" (L x W x H)36 x 16 in
MaterialStainless Steelfood-safe silicone
finish26" x 14" x 6.5" (L x W x H)—
Width (")22.0—
FeaturesAdjustable Temperature—
Depth (")14.0—
BrandCostway—
Appliance typeFood Warming Trays—
Rec. useResidential—
Watts450 Watts—
Maximum temperature302 ºF—
Show all 29 specsShow fewer specs
SpecCostway Food Warmer Buffet ServerGarvee Food Warming Mat 36x16
Number of tiers3—
Weight9.3 lb—
Has nrtl listing certificationN—
ManufacturerCostway—
ModelHCST00740—
Minimum temperature122 ºF—
Color categorySilver—
OccasionParty—
Shape—oval
Heating Power—

What reviewers say

Costway Food Warmer Buffet Server

  • 4.1 / 5112 ratings

Owners rate it around 4.1 out of 5 and mostly like it for parties and holidays, saying it keeps several dishes warm and is easy to set up. Complaints center on uneven heating, thin build quality and units that arrived damaged or stopped heating.

What people mention
  • HeatingMixedOwners say it warms food but the heat is uneven, with some spots hotter than others.
  • Build qualityCriticisedReviewers describe the stainless steel as thin and the unit as lighter than expected.
  • CapacityPraisedBuyers like fitting three dishes plus a water pan for buffets and holidays.
  • CleaningMixedThe trays are dishwasher-safe, but owners find the lids and frame harder to clean.

Garvee Food Warming Mat 36x16

  • 4.9 / 554 ratings

Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 54 ratings, buyers are positive overall. They like the fast warm-up, the even heat across the large surface and the easy cleanup.

What people mention
  • Heat speedPraisedBuyers say it reaches temperature in a few minutes and keeps food warm through a meal.
  • SizePraisedThe 36 x 16 inch surface is described as big enough for multiple serving dishes.
  • CleaningPraisedThe silicone surface is reported to wipe clean easily after use.
  • ControlsPraised

Questions and answers

Which is better for keeping a holiday dinner warm?
The Costway, because its lidded trays and higher heat hold several hot dishes at serving temperature. The Garvee works for a long counter of dishes but keeps them warm rather than hot.
Can the Garvee actually cook or reheat food?
No. It reaches about 230°F and is built to hold food warm, thaw items, and warm drinks. Use the Costway or a stove if you need to bring food up to cooking heat.
Which is easier to clean?
The Costway's three trays are dishwasher-safe. The Garvee's silicone surface wipes clean by hand and should not go in the dishwasher.
Which lasts longer?
The Costway's stainless trays and steel base are sturdier for repeated buffet use. The Garvee's silicone is durable but flexible, and its electronics sit in a thin mat.
Is the Garvee worth stepping up to over a basic warming tray?
If you want a digital timer, child lock, and a mat that stores flat, yes. If you need lids and higher heat, the Costway serves you better.
Which holds more food?
The Garvee covers a larger surface, 36 x 16 in, for spreading out many dishes. The Costway holds 8 qt across three lidded trays, which suits serving portions rather than wide layouts.

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More comparisons

  • Costway Food Warmer Buffet Server 450W Stainless Steel Electric Warming Tray for Parties vs Food Warming Mat Rollable and Portable Electric Warming Tray With Fasting Heating
  • Food Warming Mat Rollable and Portable Electric Warming Tray With Fasting Heating vs Garvee Food Warming Mat 36x16 Inch Extra Large Silicone Fast Heating
  • Costway Food Warmer Buffet Server 450W Stainless Steel Electric Warming Tray for Parties vs Foldable Food Warming Mat
  • Foldable Food Warming Mat vs Garvee Food Warming Mat 36x16 Inch Extra Large Silicone Fast Heating

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best food warmers for keeping food warm at home under $100
500w
Heat-up Time—6–8 minutes
Temperature Settings—8 temperature levels
Temperature Range—40°c–110°c
Timer Range—1–6h
Default Timer—6h
Voltage—120v
Surface—waterproof
The digital display, timer and child lock are called straightforward to operate.