Gastronorm Pans & Food Containers

Gastronorm pans are standardised containers sized to a European norm, meaning they slot directly into combi ovens, bain-maries, bench fridges and cool-room shelving without modification. Food containers in the GN system share the same footprint, so the same pan that goes into your oven can go straight into a fridge or a display unit. The system removes guesswork from kitchen organisation.

You'll find stainless steel steam pans in depths from very shallow to full-size, polycarbonate and polyethylene food containers with matching lids, perforated and solid grids, round poly covers, and gastronorm lids in sizes from 1/9 GN right up to 2/1 GN. Brands across the range include Cambro, Vogue, Rieber, Matfer Bourgeat, Carlisle, Caterrax and Convotherm.

Stainless steel pans handle direct heat, so they suit steam ovens, bain-maries and grills. Polycarbonate and polyethylene containers are lighter, transparent for quick stock checks, and better suited to cold storage and prep-line organisation. Many kitchens run both: stainless for cooking and holding, poly for storage and portioning. Rieber and Cambro each offer strong options in both materials.

The full-size pan is called 1/1 GN. Fractions like 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6 and 1/9 describe how many fit side by side inside a 1/1 footprint. Depth is a separate measurement, usually expressed in millimetres. A 2/1 pan is twice the length of a 1/1 and fits larger combi ovens and steam units. Matching sizes across brands is reliable because the norm is standardised.

Any pan or container labelled to the GN standard will fit any GN-rated oven, fridge or holding unit of the matching size fraction. Check your equipment's GN rating — most combi ovens accept 1/1 pans, while some bench fridges are designed for 2/3 or 1/2 configurations. If your oven is a Rational or Convotherm unit, standard 1/1 GN pans from any brand in our range will sit correctly.

Stainless steel pans tolerate a wide swing between cooking and refrigeration temperatures, but rapid chilling should still follow your food-safety procedures rather than relying on the pan alone. Polycarbonate containers are cold-storage rated but are not designed for oven use. Always check the temperature range printed or stamped on the individual product before moving it between hot and cold environments.

Stainless steel pans are generally dishwasher-safe. Avoid steel wool or harsh abrasives on polished surfaces, as they create micro-scratches where bacteria can settle. Polycarbonate containers should be washed at lower temperatures to prevent warping — check the manufacturer's guidance for each product. Inspect lids and seals regularly for cracks, and replace any container that has become deeply scored or discoloured, as these are signs the material is degrading.

Because the GN footprint is standardised, many lids will physically sit on pans from a different brand. That said, a snug, airtight seal is not guaranteed across brands — lid profiles and rim depths vary slightly by manufacturer. For a reliable seal, especially in cold storage, we recommend matching lids to pans from the same brand, such as pairing Rieber lids with Rieber containers.

Polished stainless steel pans present well in bain-marie or buffet display units, and Cambro's translucent poly containers are popular for ingredient displays and salad bars. If your front-of-house setup uses a specific GN frame or chafer, confirm the fraction size before ordering. Several products in this range are designed to sit flush in display equipment without additional adapters.

Pricing varies by material, size, depth and brand. Individual lids and shallow pans sit at the lower end of the range, while deep full-size or 2/1 stainless pans and branded polycarbonate containers sit higher. Members save off RRP across the range, making it practical to buy in the quantities a busy kitchen actually needs. Browse the full selection above to compare current prices.