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Gastronorm pans (also known as GN trays/pans) are the go-to standard for food prep, storage, and display in commercial kitchens and catering venues. Designed to fit seamlessly into ovens, bain-maries, refrigerators, and display units, these versatile trays streamline kitchen operations and help maintain portion consistency. In this guide, we’ll explore what GN trays are, the most common sizes, and how to choose the right gastronorm for your needs. Let’s dive in.
What is a gastronorm pan?
The term “Gastronorm” (GN) refers to a standard sizing system used worldwide for commercial kitchen containers. This ensures that trays, pans, and lids fit seamlessly across equipment like ovens, bain-maries, and chafing dishes—regardless of brand. Think of GN pans as the Lego blocks of food storage: different sizes but designed to fit together perfectly.
What’s more, GN pans allow for food to be cooked, stored, or served more efficiently. This helps kitchens stay more organised, and make cooking, storing, and serving food more efficient—perfect for busy kitchens and venues.
Gastronorm sizes explained
Gastronorm trays are measured using a simple fraction-based system. A GN 1/1 pan is the largest standard size (530 × 325 mm), while smaller pans like GN 1/2 or GN 1/3 fit proportionally within it. This makes it easy to mix and match different trays in the same unit. Depths vary depending on need — shallow 20mm pans for display, deeper 100mm pans for storage or cooking.
| GN Size Fraction | Name |
| GN1/1 | Full-size tray |
| GN1/2 | Half-size tray |
| GN1/3 | One-third size |
| GN1/4 | One-quarter size |
| GN1/6 | One-sixth size |
| GN1/9 | One-ninth size |
| GN2/1 | Double full-size (two GN 1/1 trays combined) |
Materials and uses
Stainless steel gastronorm pans are the most common choice for professional kitchens thanks to their strength and ability to withstand high temperatures. For refrigerated storage or prep, clear polycarbonate or polypropylene gastronorm containers offer visibility and easy handling. Many kitchens use both to streamline hot and cold food storage.
Choosing the right GN
When choosing your gastronorm trays, it’s important to consider your kitchen setup, workflow, and the types of food you’ll be handling. Material matters: stainless steel pans are perfect for cooking, holding hot dishes, or working in ovens, while plastic containers are lightweight, ideal for cold prep, storage, or transport.
Size and depth are also key — GN pans come in fractions like 1/1, 1/2, and 1/3, and depths can vary from shallow 20mm trays for display to deep 100mm pans for storage or cooking. Think about stacking and space efficiency, especially in fridges or prep areas, and check that lids fit securely to keep food hygienic and fresh.
Other GN considerations
Other practical considerations include compatibility with your existing equipment (steam tables, ovens, and display units), temperature tolerance for freezing or high-heat cooking, and the durability of the trays for daily heavy use. By choosing the right combination of size, material, and depth, you can streamline kitchen operations, reduce waste, and ensure food is stored, cooked, and served efficiently — helping your team stay organised and your service consistent.
Conclusion
Whether you’re running a café, catering business, or (QSR) restaurant, gastronorm pans make food storage and service consistent, efficient, and professional. Understanding sizes and materials ensures you always have the right fit for your kitchen needs.
At Star Group, we stock an extensive range of stainless steel and polycarbonate GN pans, trays and lids in a variety of sizes by leading brands such as Cambro, Chef Inox, and Inox Macel. Click here to view our commercial-grade GN range.