The Gastronorm is a European standard that applies to certain cooking utensils in the restaurant and catering industry. The idea for an international standard started in '64 in Switzerland, while in 1993 it became an official European standard. Gastronorm pans are one of the most important tools in professional kitchens, and in this guide you will find all the information you need about gastronorm containers.

Gastronorm Sizes

There are a total of nine types of gastronorm pans based on their dimensions (length and width), with the most common being gastronorm 1/1 and gastronorm 1/2. There are also variations depending on the depth of each pan. The size of the gastronorm pan you will purchase depends on the dimensions of the device in which you will use it. For example, if your oven specifications state that it accepts 4 gastronorm 1/3, then that is the size you should buy. Therefore, whether you need it for your oven, refrigerator, blast chiller, bain-marie, or a display case, you need to know their internal dimensions in order to find the gastronorm pan that fits best.

Material

The material of the gastronorm pan is a factor that should not be overlooked. Each material has its own benefits, making it suitable for certain uses.

Inox Gastronorm

Gastronorm pans made of stainless steel (inox) are suitable for preparation, cooking, and food preservation, as they can withstand temperatures from -40 to 300 degrees Celsius. Due to their material, which is highly resistant to high temperatures, they do not leave any odors in the food and thus maintain its taste unchanged. In addition to cooking, [inox gastronorm pans][7] are also suitable for maintaining the temperature of food in buffets as well as in refrigerated or non-refrigerated display cases. They are also a great choice for food storage in restaurants and catering, as their durability against temperature fluctuations allows them to be placed directly from the oven into a blast chiller. Their only drawback is that they are not suitable for use in a microwave oven.

PolyCarbonate (PC) Gastronorm

[PolyCarbonate gastronorm pans][8] are ideal for food storage as they seal tightly with their lids and are waterproof. They also have a non-stick and non-porous surface that prevents the transfer of flavors from one food to another. Usually, they are made of transparent construction, so you can see the contents of the container directly without having to open it. They can withstand temperatures from -40°C to +100°C, so they can be used in refrigerated display cases, as well as in microwave ovens. However, they are not suitable for use in ovens.

Polypropylene Gastronorm Pans (PP)

Polypropylene gastronorm pans are suitable for food storage in freezing conditions, as well as for use in display cases, kitchens, and canteens, as their transparent lids allow you to see what is inside the container without exposing its contents. They are unbreakable and can be used for reheating in a microwave oven as they can withstand temperatures from -40°C to +70°C.

Melamine Gastronorm Pans

Melamine gastronorm pans are mainly used for serving and presenting food as they are available in various colors and can enhance your buffet. Also, as they are easy to clean and highly resistant to stains and scratches, they are the safest choice for environments where people have compromised immune systems (e.g. hospitals). They can withstand temperatures from -20°C to 120°C, so they are not suitable for cooking.

Why choose perforated Gastronorm Pans

In addition to the classic gastronorm pans, you will also find gastronorm pans with a perforated base. The holes in the base of the container make it ideal for buffets as it helps maintain the temperature of the food without absorbing excess moisture. They are also very useful for preparing salads and meats, as the excess liquids are drained during preparation. In addition to food preparation and storage, they can also be used for steaming, especially for vegetables or fish.

In a nutshell

While all gastronorm pans can be used for display, storage, and serving of food, each one excels over the others due to its material. Therefore, while all are suitable for storage, the polycarbonate gastronorm pans are the best choice. If, however, you want to transfer food from the oven directly to the blast chiller, only the stainless steel gastronorm pans are suitable. If you are looking for gastronorm pans for your kitchen, pantry, and generally for serving food, the PP gastronorm pans are the most suitable solution as their contents are visible even when they are closed with a lid, and their cost is lower compared to melamine gastronorm pans.

Similarly, if you are going to use gastronorm pans for a buffet, it is worth spending a little more money and choosing melamine gastronorm pans as they come in various colors and will beautify your space.

However, before purchasing any gastronorm container, check if it is sold with a lid. Otherwise, if you want to buy the lid separately to use it with more than one container, you can find exactly what you are looking for in our corresponding category of gastronorm lids.