heating foor in sterno - baked ziti and sausage/peppers ???

I am doing my own food for a large party....

I have 2 questions
Baked ziti. I was going to make this a week prior to the party and freeze it.
I was going to assemble it and NOT BAKE it.
The day before I was going to thaw in fridge. The party starts at 12:30 when should I start the sternos and will it heat the ziti through? Ziti truly just needs to be warmed or should I bake it then put it in the sternos to keep warm?

Sausage and Peppers same deal made the week before frozen and then thawed How long will that heat on a sterno

I would like to eat for 1:00 guests arrive at 1230....when should I get the sternos started.

Sorry I am new to doing my own food!

Thanks!!

Re: heating foor in sterno - baked ziti and sausage/peppers ???

No, you will need to cook the ziti before putting it in the sterno's. Just thawing it and sticking it in the sterno trays will not heat it up enough! It will only keep it warmed once it is cooked.

Same for the sausage and peppers.

As far as the sterno's, you can light them right when you put the trays of food in them. When I use the trays, the water I put in the warming tray is usually boiling water. That way, things are hot from the start and the food stays warm.

Re: heating foor in sterno - baked ziti and sausage/peppers ???

Well you arent going to heat or cook the food with the sternos. You will need to throw the ziti in the oven and COOK it. Then put in the sterno. The sausage and peppers too. I would put them in at 10:30, 11 for an hour then put into sternos to stay warm.

Re: heating foor in sterno - baked ziti and sausage/peppers ???