Dear customer,
Preheating: Yes, you must preheat this food warmer. Set it to 165°F and preheat for about 20 minutes before use.
Reheat time: After preheating, a chilled food pan (37°F → 165°F) normally takes 25–40 minutes.
The exact time depends on pan size, food amount, and usage conditions.
If you have further questions, feel free to let me know.
By vevor