Wells (Heated)

• Why would I want an insulated Heated Well?

  Insulated Heated Wells will hold heat better and longer for greater holding efficiency and better energy conservation. They will recover lost heat faster as well. Insulated Heated Wells are available only in the -FUL size and can be ordered in top or bottom mount configurations.

• Why would I order a UR Heated Well, and what is the difference between a standard and a UR Heated Well?

  UR Heated Wells are models that are recognized as components to be used in someone else’s appliance. The customer that buys these models is responsible to seek UL approval of the larger appliance that includes Hatco UR components. Typically, UR units do not have conduit to protect wires or an enclosure to isolate the controls. UR units are commonly purchased by fabricators. Hatco uses a two letter suffix used to identify UR (Underwriter Laboratories Recognized) units. RT and RN do not stand for Remote Thermostat and Remote Infinite Switch. Instead, they stand for Recognized, with Thermostat and Recognized with Infinite Switch, respectively. All HWBs have remote controls.

• Where do I mount the controls for a Heated Well?

  Mount Hatco controls vertically at least 6" (152 mm) away from the Heated Well and at least 3-1/2" (89 mm) from combustible surfaces. 6' (1829 mm) capillaries are available.

• When ordering extra leads on UR Heated Wells, what do I need to know?

  1) If the UR unit has a thermostat control, the extra lead wire is for the connection between the control box and the power source. The thermostat "lead" from the Heated Well to the control box is only available in 3’ (914 mm) standard length, or 6’ (1829 mm) optional length. 2) If the UR unit has an infinite control, the extra lead wire is for the connection between the control box and the Heated Well. This can be ordered in any length in 1’ (305 mm) increments. The lead wire from the control box to the power source is provided by the customer/installer.

• When do you use a low watt Heated Well vs. high watt Heated Well?

  The low watt Heated Well would be used to limit circuit size in multi-unit applications.

• When do you use a high watt Heated Well vs. low watt Heated Well?

  High watt would be used if there is cold air flow in the area or you need to hold food longer. High watt Heated Wells will heat up faster and recover heat loss faster. They may also be needed for foods that are dense and hard to hold - like refried beans.

• What would I put into a Hatco Heated Well?

  Already prepared hot food (NOTE: The Heated Well is NOT a rethermalizer).

• What types of controls are available on Hatco Modular Heated Wells?

  All Hatco Modular Heated Wells come with individual thermostatic controls for each well. A 1-, 2- or 3-well unit has a control box and bezel with 1, 2 or 3 thermostatic controls contained within it. The 4- or 5-well unit will have two control boxes with 2/2 or 2/3 thermostatic controls respectively. NOTE: Hatco offers adapter kits for units retrofitting failed APW and Wells units. These kits include a larger bezel that fits into the control opening left behind when the APW or Wells unit is removed, as the Hatco control box is much smaller than either of these competitive controls.

• What size circuit do Hatco Heated Wells require?

  They require a 15 amp circuit. Models are available in 120, 208 and 240 volt.

• What size are Hatco's stainless steel pans for Heated Wells?

  The size of our stainless steel pans are 1 mm ( .039") thicker than the competition (at .035").

• What kind of construction is used on the Modular Heated Wells?

  The Hatco Modular Heated Wells and bezels are all 300 series stainless. All welded surfaces are stainless as well. The bottom jacket is aluminized, but it is riveted to stainless steel brackets that are welded to stainless.

• What is the warranty on the elements of the Heated Wells?

  Hatco has a two (2) year warranty on Heated Well heating elements.

• What is the size of the Hatco drain?

  The Hatco drain size is 3/4" (19 mm) in diameter, 50% larger than the competition, which is only 1/2" (13 mm).

• What is the safest temperature to hold food?

  160°F - 180°F (71°C - 82°C).

• What is the highest temperature the Hatco Heated Well can reach when running dry?

  380°F - 450°F (193°C - 232°C).

• What is the highest temperature the Hatco Heated Well can reach when filled with water?

  210°F (99°C).

• What is the advantage of using the drain in a Heated Well?

  The drain makes clean up easier, especially when used wet.

• What is auto-fill?

  Auto-fill is a "plumbed" feature that uses a water connection and a solenoid to automatically fill each pan of a Modular/Ganged Heated Well to the desired level. This ensures that all pans are always full of water - even when evaporation can become a big issue. During the day, as the steam table evaporates water out of each pan location, the auto-fill feature will sense the lack of water and open the solenoid, allowing water to re-enter each pan until the desired water level is reached. With 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-pan wells, this feature will only work if the unit has a manifold drain.

• What is a manifold drain?

  Manifold drains connect all of the individual drains of a Modular/Ganged Heated Well so that all the pans can be emptied quickly and easily by opening a single 1" (25 mm) drain. For example, if you had a 5-pan well - all five (5) pans would be drained by opening the single manifold 1" (25 mm) drain that connects all five individual drains. All Ganged Heated Wells have this equipped so that this drain can be mounted right or left side.

• What is a Modular/Ganged Heated Well?

  Modular/Ganged Heated Wells are -FUL size units that are grouped together in a modular fashion to provide customers with a complete steam table within one piece of equipment. They can be ordered in 2-5 pan configurations, with and without drains. They are also available with manifold drains and auto-fill as options.

• What gauge stainless steel are Hatco Wells?

  Hatco Wells are made with 1 mm (.039") thick material, about 10% thicker than the competition.

• What does the Heated Well hold?

  Prepared hot food (NOTE: The Heated Well is NOT a rethermalizer).

• What control options are available on "standard" Heated Wells?

  There is a small standard control with a wire guard and small bezel. There is an option for a recessed control with a 10 degree slant for easier visibility. All Export Heated Wells must use the recessed control. Specify STD for the small control box, NONE for the remote UR Heated Wells and LG for the recessed Heated Wells.

• What are the advantages of Hatco Heated Wells?

  The advantages include: more durable due to heavier stainless steel construction (11% thicker than competitive models); large drain design makes cleaning easier (50% larger than competitive models); flat drain screen allows pan to stay level for consistent temperatures; more consistent holding temperatures with even heat; remote temperature thermostat with separate lighted power switch retains settings; exclusive long-life heating element design with two (2) year warranty; easy to install with EZ lock mounting hardware; easy-to-service design offers a quick change of component; one (1) year parts and on-site labor warranty; and 24/7 parts & service assistance from Hatco.

• What are my mounting options on Hatco Modular Heated Wells?

  Hatco Modular Heated Wells can only be top mounted. The top mount has three options: studs, holes or EZ lock mounting hardware. Please specify mounting option when ordering. (EZ lock mounting hardware is the default.)

• Is there any concern about mounting non-insulated Hatco Heated Wells into a countertop made of Corian® or other combustible surfaces?

  No, so long as they use the mounting kit for non-combustible surfaces to insulate the Heated Well from the countertop surface.

• Is it less expensive to buy a Hatco 5-pan Modular/Ganged Heated Well than five (5) individual insulated units?

  No, Modular/Ganged Heated Wells are generally more expensive, because of the hardware and material associated with the jacket and bezel that allows the fabricator or installer to place an entire steam table into a counter with one piece of equipment.

• How long is the pre-heat time on the Hatco Heated Well?

  Approximately 30 minutes for both wet and dry applications.

• How are the Heated Wells mounted?

  The standard Hatco Heated Wells are generally top mount Heated Wells and they simply drop into a hole (cut out) from the top. Full-size standard Heated Wells (HWB-FUL) can also be mounted from the bottom by using fasteners in the side walls of the well. Full-size Heated Wells are also available in insulated versions that can be top mounted (HWBI-FUL) or bottom mounted (HWBIB-FUL) in a similar fashion.

• How are Heated Wells shipped to a fabricator?

  UL Heated Wells are shipped to fabricators with a conduit and a connected control box. UR Heated Wells are shipped without a conduit and the controls are mounted to a control faceplate (control box not included).

• Can the Heated Well be used without a drain?

  Yes, the Heated Well can be used with or without a drain.

• Can the Heated Well be used wet or dry?

  Yes, the Hatco Heated Well can be used wet or dry. The Heated Wells perform better when used wet because they transfer heat better.

• Can the Heated Well be equipped without a drain?

  Yes, the Heated Well can be ordered with or without a drain.

• Can Strip Heaters (Foodwarmers) be installed above the Heated Wells?

  Yes, but the Strip Heaters must be sized and mounted correctly over the Heated Wells to assure safe operation.

• Can Modular Heated Wells have drains with individual shut-offs?

  Hatco Modular Heated Wells with drains come without a manifold drain as standard. If customers want to install individual shut-off on each drain (rather than manifold), they can order individual shut-offs as an accessory and install them on site.

• Can I order UR Heated Wells in all sizes?

  Yes, Hatco offers UR Heated Wells in all sizes: -FUL, -43, -7QT and -11QT. They are also available in all standard wattages, with and without drains. Please remember to specify RT (thermostat) or RN (infinite) for the controls.

• Are the Modular/Ganged Heated Wells available as UR and insulated models, as well?

  No, all Modular/Ganged Heated Wells are insulated due to the "jacket" that contains all the individual wells. They are not currently offered in any UR versions. Also note that Modular/Ganged Heated Wells are 208 volt or 240 volt only; they are not available in 120 volt.

• Are the Heated Wells easy to install and service?

  Yes, Hatco uses EZ lock mounting hardware to provide quick installation. It is also easy to replace the thermostat and heating elements, which are attached to the bottom assembly. Loosen and remove the acorn nuts; then remove the bottom assembly.