How long can steamed crabs sit out in the heat?

[Big40]

We are hosting a crab feast this weekends and plan to purchase 4 bushels of steamed crabs from the fresh Seafood Wharf in Wash DC.  We were planning to purchase them at 10AM (they cook them right before you pick them up), but the party isn't until 4:00 in the evening.  Should I put them on ice during the day?  If so, what is the best way to reheat them so my guests can enjoyed hot crabs?

Any insight would be helpful!

[flounderpounder]

I would put them im large coolers to  keep them warm....or do half and half..  some people prefer cold crabs

or re-steam for 2 mins ..full steam

[elsmere ed]

I've put them in coolers before when they were warm,and it overcooked them

[dfran]

Pick them up at 3:00 instead of 10:00

[lone sailor]

The cooler idea will work and in my experience does not over cook crabs. When we cater crab feasts our crabs are delivered in styrofoam coolers that hold 100 crabs each (a lot better than the barrels or 55 gallon drums we used to get). Line them with news paper and they stay steamin hot for 4 hours or more.