A method of operating a parenteral fluid warming system that includes a warming unit having parallel heating plates with alignment grooves and a fluid warming cassette with a quadrilateral frame structure having a distal end, a proximal handle, alignment lands, and a stop mechanism near the proximal handle, the warming cassette further including a fluid container with a fluid pathway, in which the fluid container is joined to the frame structure, the method including:
- grasping the proximal handle;
- orienting the lands with the grooves;
- inserting the distal end between the heating plates;
- and
- sliding the warming cassette between the heating plate until the stop mechanism engages the warming unit.