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In the professional kitchen, organization and efficiency are the foundation of every great meal. Among the many tools that chefs depend on daily, the gastronorm pan stands out as one of the most essential. Used in restaurants, hotels, buffets, and catering services worldwide, it serves as the universal standard for food storage, preparation, and presentation.
A gastronorm pan is not just a simple container — it’s a system of standardized dimensions that allows chefs to interchange trays, containers, and pans seamlessly between ovens, chillers, warming units, and display counters. This system makes professional kitchens faster, safer, and more hygienic.
At UKW, we produce high-quality stainless steel kitchenware, including durable stock pots and gastronorm pans, designed to meet the strict standards of commercial food service environments. With decades of experience in stainless steel production, UKW ensures every product provides precision fit, easy cleaning, and superior durability, making them ideal for professional use and long-term performance.
The term gastronorm (often abbreviated as GN) originates from the European catering standard EN 631-1, which was established to unify the dimensions of food containers used in professional kitchens. This means that all gastronorm pans — regardless of material or manufacturer — share consistent measurements that fit into compatible equipment such as bain-maries, Chafing Dishes, refrigerators, and ovens.
A standard gastronorm pan is rectangular in shape, with sizes categorized by fractional divisions of the basic full-size pan (GN 1/1). For example, a GN 1/2 pan occupies half the space of a GN 1/1, while a GN 1/3 pan fits one-third of the area. This modular design enables kitchens to mix and match different containers within the same tray or shelf.
The standardized system ensures global compatibility and efficiency. Whether you are operating a catering event in London or a hotel buffet in Singapore, a GN 1/1 pan from one brand will fit perfectly into equipment designed by another manufacturer. This interoperability makes the gastronorm system indispensable in modern kitchen logistics.
UKW’s stainless steel gastronorm pans adhere strictly to these international dimensions, ensuring a flawless fit in all major catering setups. Each piece is made from food-grade stainless steel, providing hygienic surfaces, corrosion resistance, and excellent heat retention.
One of the defining features of the gastronorm system is its clear and uniform sizing structure. Below is an overview of common gastronorm pan sizes and their respective dimensions, based on the GN 1/1 standard (530 × 325 mm).
| Gastronorm Size | Dimensions (mm) | Relative Fraction | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| GN 1/1 | 530 × 325 | Full size | Ovens, steamers, chafing dishes |
| GN 1/2 | 325 × 265 | Half size | Side dishes, smaller batches |
| GN 1/3 | 325 × 176 | One-third | Soups, sauces, ingredients |
| GN 1/4 | 265 × 162 | One-fourth | Condiments, salads |
| GN 1/6 | 176 × 162 | One-sixth | Toppings, garnishes |
| GN 1/9 | 108 × 176 | One-ninth | Small ingredients, sauces |
Depth is another critical aspect of selection, as it determines how much food a pan can hold. Common depths include 20 mm, 40 mm, 65 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm, and 200 mm.
For example:
A GN 1/1 pan with a 65 mm depth is ideal for oven roasting or steaming.
A 100 mm deep GN 1/2 pan is perfect for hot holding in bain-maries.
Shallow pans (20–40 mm) are commonly used for chilled display or plating preparation.
At UKW, our stainless steel gastronorm pans are manufactured in a full range of these sizes and depths, allowing chefs to configure their kitchens according to workflow and menu requirements. Each pan features reinforced rims and smooth corners, making them strong enough for frequent use while ensuring easy stacking and cleaning.
Although gastronorm pans can be made from various materials such as polycarbonate, melamine, or aluminum, stainless steel remains the preferred choice for professional kitchens due to its balance of hygiene, heat resistance, and durability.
At UKW, our stainless steel pans are made from high-grade SUS304 stainless steel, the same quality used in our Stainless Steel Stock Pots. This material is known for:
Excellent corrosion resistance, suitable for acidic foods and humid conditions.
High thermal conductivity, ensuring even heating during baking or steaming.
Non-reactive surfaces, preventing flavor transfer between foods.
Long service life, even under intensive commercial use.
These qualities make stainless steel gn pans compatible with ovens, freezers, and dishwashers — offering complete versatility across temperature ranges from -40°C to +300°C.
Plastic or polycarbonate GN pans are often used in salad bars and cold buffets. While lightweight and transparent, they are not suitable for high-temperature applications. UKW’s stainless steel models, however, outperform plastics in terms of structural stability and hygiene, making them a long-term investment for any professional kitchen.
Every UKW gastronorm pan features precise stacking design. The edges align perfectly for compact storage, reducing space in busy kitchens. The pans also fit seamlessly into UKW’s stainless steel cookware ecosystem, including lids, perforated inserts, and compatible steam trays.
By combining durable construction with precise design, UKW ensures each pan maintains structural integrity even after years of daily service.
Gastronorm pans are incredibly versatile. They are used throughout every stage of food service — from preparation and cooking to transportation and serving. This adaptability has made them an essential part of both small-scale kitchens and large catering operations.
In prep areas, chefs use gastronorm pans for ingredient organization. Chopped vegetables, marinated meats, and sauces can each be stored in separate containers, reducing cross-contamination and saving time. Lids and inserts help maintain freshness, and the standard sizing system makes it easy to swap containers between storage and cooking equipment.
UKW’s stainless steel gastronorm pans are fully compatible with steam ovens and convection ovens, enabling even heat distribution. The 40–100 mm depth options are ideal for baking, roasting, and steaming dishes in batch quantities. The reinforced structure withstands direct flame or high oven temperatures, making them suitable for heavy-duty operations.
In buffet settings, gastronorm pans are often placed inside chafing dishes or hot food stations. The modular GN sizing allows staff to replace or rearrange pans quickly without disturbing the overall setup. UKW pans maintain professional appearance even after repeated heating and cleaning cycles, making them perfect for hotels and catering venues that prioritize both hygiene and presentation.
Because stainless steel resists extreme temperatures, GN pans can move directly from the freezer to the oven, minimizing transfer steps and preserving food safety. In catering logistics, this saves valuable time and reduces the risk of spillage during transportation.
The ability to transition effortlessly between different functions — prep, cook, serve, and store — makes the gastronorm system the cornerstone of modern kitchen management.
Choosing the right gastronorm pan means selecting equipment that performs reliably across years of service. At UKW, we design our pans to meet professional standards for hygiene, strength, and compatibility. Here’s what sets them apart:
Every UKW gastronorm pan is pressed and polished with precision tooling, ensuring accurate dimensions and smooth edges. This guarantees compatibility with all global GN equipment — from bain-maries to buffet stations.
We use SUS304 stainless steel, offering excellent corrosion and heat resistance. The surface remains smooth even after extensive washing and exposure to oils, acids, and salts. For applications requiring even greater durability, we also offer SUS316 options.
Each pan includes rolled rims and corner reinforcements for extra rigidity. This allows for stable stacking, easy handling, and reduced warping under thermal stress. Our pans are designed for continuous commercial use — resistant to dents, scratches, and bending.
UKW gastronorm pans integrate perfectly with our stainless steel stock pots, trays, and kitchen accessories. This consistency ensures a uniform professional image across every workstation. Our pans are also available with perforated versions for steaming or draining applications, giving chefs full flexibility.
The polished mirror finish minimizes food adhesion and simplifies sanitation. The seamless corners prevent residue buildup, ensuring compliance with HACCP food safety standards. Each pan is dishwasher-safe, supporting rapid turnover in fast-paced environments.
By choosing UKW, chefs gain reliable tools that match the precision and endurance required in commercial food service. Our mission is to deliver stainless steel products that elevate efficiency while preserving the craftsmanship that defines professional cooking.
A gastronorm pan is far more than a container — it is the backbone of standardized kitchen operations. Its global sizing system allows seamless transitions between preparation, cooking, and serving, saving both time and labor. Whether used in restaurants, hotels, or catering setups, gastronorm pans are indispensable for maintaining efficiency, hygiene, and presentation.
UKW’s stainless steel gastronorm pans combine this universal functionality with superior craftsmanship. Made from premium-grade materials and designed for professional endurance, they are compatible with every major kitchen system and ideal for chefs who demand both performance and precision.
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