As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I ran the LNNIW food warming mat for about four hours to see how the controls worked and how well it kept food warm. Most of the testing was done at 158°F, including a two-hour test with refrigerated pizza.
The mat has six temperature settings: 122°F, 140°F, 158°F, 176°F, 194°F, and 212°F. The timer runs from one to six hours, and selecting zero leaves the timer off. It also has a lock function, power control, and detachable power cord. The seller describes the lock as a child-lock feature activated with a long press.
The refrigerated pizza produced the clearest result. After about two hours on the mat at 158°F, the slice measured 107°F with my thermal camera. A comparison slice sitting away from the mat measured 74°F. The warmed slice also developed a crisp bottom that made an audible crunch. That was more direct heat than I expected from a product primarily intended to keep food warm.
A coffee cup measured 104°F during the test. I had placed another beverage on the mat later, and it was cooler but appeared to still be warming. Selecting 158°F does not mean every food or drink will immediately reach that temperature. The starting temperature, container, placement, and warming time can all affect the result.
With the mat set to 158°F, the thermal camera showed readings of roughly 150°F to 157°F across much of the surface. The readings were somewhat lower near the sides. I measured about 145°F at the bottom of a Pyrex casserole dish, about 149°F under a fairly thin dinner plate, and 148°F at another spot. These were readings from this test, not laboratory measurements.
The active mat became too hot for me to keep my hand on it for more than a second. I also noticed that the top material became a little loose while hot. The timer and lock are useful controls, but I would still avoid touching the active surface during operation.
The seller lists the mat at 26 by 15 inches. Because of the surrounding border, I estimated the usable heated length at about 24 inches. It appeared large enough to hold approximately three normal-size casserole dishes, which could be useful for a party, buffet, or family meal. The seller also states that the mat is compatible with glass, ceramic, and stainless steel tableware.
In this test, the mat kept the dishes and pizza warm. Across most of the heated area, its surface temperature came reasonably close to the selected 158°F setting. The crisp pizza bottom also showed that direct contact can provide substantial heat, so the container, temperature setting, and warming time can affect the result.