Gastronorm Pan Buying Guide *, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; } :root { --steel: #2C3E50; --accent: #C0392B; --gold: #D4AC0D; --green: #27AE60; --surface: #F7F6F3; --card-bg: #FFFFFF; --text-main: #1a1a1a; --text-muted: #6b6b6b; --border: rgba(0,0,0,0.10); --border-med: rgba(0,0,0,0.16); } html { scroll-behavior: smooth; } body { font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; background: var(--surface); color: var(--text-main); line-height: 1.6; } /* ── Page header ── */ .page-header { background: var(--steel); padding: 0.75rem 2rem; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5rem; } .page-header a { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.5); font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; } .page-header a:hover { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.85); } .page-header .sep { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.3); font-size: 13px; } .page-header .cur { color: rgba(255,255,255,0.85); font-size: 13px; } /* ── Layout ── */ .guide-wrapper { max-width: 920px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 2.5rem 1.5rem 4rem; } /* ── Hero ── */ .hero { background: var(--steel); color: white; border-radius: 16px; padding: 3rem 2.5rem 2.5rem; margin-bottom: 2.5rem; position: relative; overflow: hidden; } .hero::before { content: ''; position: absolute; top: -60px; right: -60px; width: 280px; height: 280px; border-radius: 50%; background: rgba(255,255,255,0.04); } .hero::after { content: ''; position: absolute; bottom: -80px; left: 40px; width: 380px; height: 380px; border-radius: 50%; background: rgba(255,255,255,0.03); } .hero-tag { font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 2.5px; text-transform: uppercase; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.45); margin-bottom: 0.6rem; font-weight: 500; } .hero h1 { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: clamp(1.8rem, 4vw, 2.6rem); font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 1rem; } .hero p { font-size: 15px; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.68); line-height: 1.78; max-width: 580px; } /* ── Nav tabs ── */ .nav-tabs { display: flex; gap: 6px; flex-wrap: wrap; margin-bottom: 2rem; } .nav-tab { padding: 8px 16px; border-radius: 24px; border: 1px solid var(--border-med); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 500; cursor: pointer; background: var(--card-bg); color: var(--text-muted); transition: background 0.15s, color 0.15s, border-color 0.15s; font-family: 'DM Sans', sans-serif; } .nav-tab:hover { background: var(--steel); color: #fff; border-color: var(--steel); } .nav-tab.active { background: var(--steel); color: #fff; border-color: var(--steel); } /* ── Sections ── */ .tab-section { display: none; } .tab-section.active { display: block; } .section-label { font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 2.5px; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--accent); font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: 0.4rem; } .section-title { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.5rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--steel); margin-bottom: 1rem; } .section-intro { font-size: 14px; color: var(--text-muted); line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; } /* ── Intro grid ── */ .intro-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(240px, 1fr)); gap: 1rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; } .intro-card { background: var(--card-bg); border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: 12px; padding: 1.25rem; } .intro-card .icon { font-size: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.75rem; display: block; } .intro-card h3 { font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: 0.4rem; } .intro-card p { font-size: 13px; color: var(--text-muted); line-height: 1.65; } /* ── Table ── */ .table-wrap { overflow-x: auto; border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid var(--border); margin-bottom: 1.25rem; } .data-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px; min-width: 540px; } .data-table thead th { background: var(--steel); color: #fff; padding: 11px 14px; text-align: left; font-weight: 500; white-space: nowrap; } .data-table thead th:first-child { border-radius: 11px 0 0 0; } .data-table thead th:last-child { border-radius: 0 11px 0 0; } .data-table tbody td { padding: 10px 14px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); vertical-align: top; } .data-table tbody tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } .data-table tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: #FAFAF8; } .data-table tbody tr:hover { background: #F0EFE9; } .size-tag { display: inline-block; background: var(--steel); color: #fff; font-size: 11px; padding: 2px 8px; border-radius: 4px; font-weight: 500; } /* ── Depth grid ── */ .depth-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(130px, 1fr)); gap: 0.75rem; margin-top: 1rem; } .depth-card { background: var(--card-bg); border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: 10px; padding: 1rem; text-align: center; } .depth-val { font-family: 'Playfair Display', serif; font-size: 1.4rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--steel); display: block; } .depth-name { font-size: 12px; font-weight: 500; color: var(--text-muted); margin: 2px 0 6px; display: block; } .depth-use { font-size: 11px; color: var(--text-muted); line-height: 1.55; } /* ── Mix & match ── */ .mix-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(170px, 1fr)); gap: 0.75rem; margin-top: 1rem; } .mix-card { background: var(--card-bg); border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: 10px; padding: 0.85rem 1rem; font-size: 12px; } .mix-card strong { font-weight: 500; display: block; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 13px; } .mix-card span { color: var(--text-muted); } /* ── Materials ── */ .material-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(230px, 1fr)); gap: 1rem; } .material-card { border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid var(--border); overflow: hidden; } .material-header { padding: 1rem 1.25rem 0.85rem; } .material-header h3 { font-size: 14px; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: 3px; } .material-header .mat-sub { font-size: 12px; color: rgba(255,255,255,0.65); } .material-body { padding: 0.25rem 1.25rem 1.25rem; } .use-tags { display: flex; gap: 5px; flex-wrap: wrap; margin: 0.65rem 0 0.2rem; } .use-tag { display: inline-block; font-size: 10px; padding: 2px 7px; border-radius: 12px; font-weight: 500; } .tag-hot { background: #FDEDEC; color: #922B21; } .tag-cold { background: #EBF5FB; color: #1A5276; } .tag-both { background: #E8F8F5; color: #0E6655; } .tag-store { background: #F9EBEA; color: #7B241C; } .pros-cons { margin-top: 0.75rem; } .pcrow { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 7px; margin-bottom: 6px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.55; } .dot { width: 8px; height: 8px; border-radius: 50%; flex-shrink: 0; margin-top: 4px; } .dot-g { background: #27AE60; } .dot-r { background: #C0392B; } .dot-a { background: #D4AC0D; } .m-steel { background: #ECF0F1; } .m-steel .material-header { background: #2C3E50; color: #fff; } .m-aluminium { background: #F2F3F4; } .m-aluminium .material-header { background: #5D6D7E; color: #fff; } .m-coated { background: #FDF2E9; } .m-coated .material-header { background: #784212; color: #fff; } .m-poly { background: #EBF5FB; } .m-poly .material-header { background: #1A5276; color: #fff; } .m-pp { background: #EAFAF1; } .m-pp .material-header { background: #1E8449; color: #fff; } .perf-note { background: #F7F7F5; border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: 12px; padding: 1.1rem 1.25rem; margin-top: 1.5rem; font-size: 13px; color: var(--text-muted); line-height: 1.7; } .perf-note strong { font-weight: 500; color: var(--steel); display: block; margin-bottom: 4px; } /* ── HACCP ── */ .haccp-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 1rem; } @media (max-width: 580px) { .haccp-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } } .hcard { border-radius: 12px; padding: 1.1rem 1.25rem; } .hcard h3 { font-size: 13px; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: 0.55rem; } .hcard ul { list-style: none; padding: 0; } .hcard ul li { font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6; padding: 3px 0 3px 14px; position: relative; } .hcard ul li::before { content: '—'; position: absolute; left: 0; opacity: 0.4; } .h-temp { background: #FEF9E7; border: 1px solid #F9E79F; } .h-temp h3 { color: #7D6608; } .h-temp li { color: #5D4E37; } .h-clean { background: #EBF5FB; border: 1px solid #AED6F1; } .h-clean h3 { color: #1A5276; } .h-clean li { color: #1A3A5C; } .h-label { background: #EAFAF1; border: 1px solid #A9DFBF; } .h-label h3 { color: #145A32; } .h-label li { color: #1D4A2D; } .h-store { background: #FDEDEC; border: 1px solid #F5B7B1; } .h-store h3 { color: #78281F; } .h-store li { color: #641E16; } .h-colour { background: #F4ECF7; border: 1px solid #C39BD3; grid-column: 1 / -1; } .h-colour h3 { color: #4A235A; } .h-colour p { font-size: 12px; color: #3B1A55; line-height: 1.65; margin-bottom: 0.6rem; } .h-damage { background: #F2F3F4; border: 1px solid #CCD1D1; grid-column: 1 / -1; } .h-damage h3 { color: #2C3E50; } .h-damage li { color: #2E4057; } .colour-chips { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 7px; margin-top: 0.5rem; } .chip { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 7px; padding: 5px 10px; border-radius: 20px; border: 1px solid var(--border); font-size: 12px; background: #fff; color: #3B1A55; } .chip-dot { width: 12px; height: 12px; border-radius: 50%; flex-shrink: 0; } /* ── Callout boxes ── */ .tip-box { background: #F0FAF5; border-left: 3px solid #27AE60; border-radius: 0 8px 8px 0; padding: 0.9rem 1.1rem; margin-top: 1rem; font-size: 13px; color: #1D5A33; line-height: 1.7; } .warn-box { background: #FEF9E7; border-left: 3px solid #D4AC0D; border-radius: 0 8px 8px 0; padding: 0.9rem 1.1rem; margin-top: 1rem; font-size: 13px; color: #6E5107; line-height: 1.7; } /* ── Footer ── */ .page-footer { background: var(--steel); color: rgba(255,255,255,0.45); text-align: center; padding: 2rem; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 3rem; } @media (max-width: 600px) { .hero { padding: 2rem 1.5rem; } .guide-wrapper { padding: 1.5rem 1rem 3rem; } }
Home / Buying Guides / Gastronorm PansEverything you need to know before buying — from the sizing system and depths to materials, food safety, and HACCP compliance in professional kitchens.
Gastronorm (GN) pans are the global standard container in professional foodservice. Originating from a 1964 Swiss standard and later formalised as EN 631, they allow every piece of commercial kitchen equipment — bain maries, blast chillers, combi ovens, display counters, hot holds, fridges, and transport trolleys — to share the same container system.
Inserted directly into hot-hold units and bain maries for buffet and cafeteria service. Any GN pan drops into any compatible unit — no adapters required.
Food moves from oven to blast chiller to fridge to service counter in the same pan. Eliminating transfers reduces contamination risk at every step.
Perforated and solid stainless pans are used for roasting, steaming, poaching, and braising in combi ovens designed around GN rail spacing.
GN pans stack efficiently in fridges, on shelving, and in insulated transport trolleys. Lids are standardised to fit any pan of the same GN footprint.
Polycarbonate GN pans are widely used in chilled display counters, deli bars, and salad stations — their transparency showing contents clearly.
Smaller GN pans (1/3, 1/6, 1/9) organise prepped ingredients on the pass or in cold prep units — the backbone of any organised service station.
All GN sizes derive from a single base unit: the GN 1/1 pan at 530mm × 325mm. Every other size is a mathematically precise fraction of this footprint, allowing multiple pans to tile perfectly into any 1/1 opening. You can mix and match fractions as long as they add up to a full 1/1.
| GN Size | Dimensions (mm) | Ratio of 1/1 | Litres (65mm deep) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/1 | 650 × 530 | 2× the 1/1 | ~21.5 L | High-volume production, industrial combi ovens |
| 1/1 | 530 × 325 | Full pan | ~10.8 L | Large batch stews, soups, roasts, buffet displays |
| 1/2 | 325 × 265 | Half of 1/1 | ~5.2 L | Most versatile size — sauces, vegetables, sides |
| 1/3 | 325 × 176 | Third of 1/1 | ~3.5 L | Mise en place, salad bar portions, small sides |
| 1/4 | 265 × 162 | Quarter of 1/1 | ~2.0 L | Garnishes, sauces, small condiment quantities |
| 1/6 | 176 × 162 | Sixth of 1/1 | ~1.3 L | Dressings, toppings, small service quantities |
| 1/9 | 176 × 108 | Ninth of 1/1 | ~0.7 L | Garnishes, small condiments, tasting portions |
Because every size divides cleanly into a 1/1, you can combine sizes in any well that accepts a 1/1 pan:
GN pans come in standard depths defined by EN 631. Depth is just as important as footprint — order the wrong depth and pans won't fit your equipment, or food quantities won't match your operation's needs.
Material choice determines where and how a pan can be used, its lifespan, and its suitability for different food types. No single material is best at everything — most operations run a mix of two or three.
Gastronorm pans sit at the centre of a kitchen's HACCP plan — spanning multiple critical control points. Correct practice prevents cross-contamination, temperature abuse, and allergen incidents.
Many operations adopt a colour-coded GN pan system to prevent cross-contamination between raw proteins and allergens. This mirrors HACCP chopping board coding and should be documented in your food safety management plan.