Gastronorm Pans Explained : Sizes, Depths and Choosing the Right GN Containers.

The Gen on GN: Understanding Gastronorm pans used in commercial kitchens.

Walk into almost any commercial kitchen and you’ll see gastro pans everywhere. They sit in prep counters, combi ovens, refrigeration units, bain maries and buffet displays.

The reason is simple: gastronorm containers follow a universal sizing system. Once you understand how it works, organising food storage, preparation and service becomes much easier.

Whether you’re fitting out a new kitchen or simply replacing worn pans, knowing which sizes to choose can save space, reduce clutter and keep service running smoothly.

What Does “GN” Mean?

“GN” stands for Gastronorm, a standardised sizing system used across the catering industry.

The reference size is GN 1/1, measuring 530 × 325 mm. All other gastro pans are fractions or multiples of this base size, allowing different combinations to fit neatly into the same equipment.

This modular system means kitchens can organise ingredients efficiently while keeping everything compatible with ovens, refrigeration and hot holding equipment.

You can browse our full range of gastronorm containers here.

Common Gastronorm Sizes

Gastronorm pans come in a range of sizes designed to work together within the same footprint.

Larger formats

2/1 – Double size
A large-capacity pan measuring 650 × 530 mm. Often used for high-volume cooking, storage or service where equipment supports the larger footprint.

1/1 – Full size
The industry standard. Most combi ovens, bain maries and food displays are designed around this format.

Mid-range formats

2/3 – Two-thirds size
A useful middle ground when GN 1/1 is too large but smaller pans reduce capacity too much.

1/2 – Half size
One of the most versatile options in commercial kitchens. Ideal for prep counters, ovens and food service displays.

1/3 – Third size
Commonly used for side dishes, buffet service or ingredient storage.

Smaller prep sizes

1/4 – Quarter size
Suitable for smaller ingredient storage and compact prep areas.

1/6 – Sixth size
A popular size for saladettes, sandwich prep counters and toppings stations.

1/9 – Ninth size
Typically used for garnishes, sauces and small ingredient portions.

Because the sizes are modular, multiple smaller pans can be arranged to fill the same space as a larger one.

For example, a GN 1/1 area could hold:

• 2 × GN 1/2 pans
• 3 × GN 1/3 pans
• 6 × GN 1/6 pans

This flexibility is what makes gastronorm containers so useful in professional kitchens.

Gastronorm Size Reference Table

GN Size	Dimensions (mm)	Typical Use
GN 2/1	650 × 530	Large batch cooking or high-volume service
GN 1/1	530 × 325	Standard combi ovens, bain maries, prep storage
GN 2/3	354 × 325	Mid-size service or prep
GN 1/2	325 × 265	Versatile prep, cooking and display
GN 1/3	325 × 176	Ingredients, side dishes
GN 1/4	265 × 162	Small ingredient storage
GN 1/6	176 × 162	Saladettes and sandwich prep
GN 1/9	176 × 108	Garnishes and toppings

Choosing the Right Depth

In addition to different footprints, gastronorm pans are also available in a range of depths.

Common depths include:

• 20 mm
• 40 mm
• 65 mm
• 100 mm
• 150 mm
• 200 mm

Shallow pans are often used in prep counters or buffet displays, while deeper pans are better suited for storage, batch cooking or hot holding.

What Are Spacer Bars?

Spacer bars divide a larger gastronorm opening into smaller sections. Kitchen operators use them to fit smaller GN pans into equipment designed for larger containers.

For example, spacer bars can split a GN 1/1 space so it holds combinations such as:

• two GN 1/2 pans
• three GN 1/3 pans
• multiple GN 1/6 or GN 1/9 pans

This approach gives prep counters, saladettes and refrigerated prep stations much greater flexibility, allowing different ingredients or dishes to stay organised during service.

Many kitchens rely on spacer bars in refrigerated counters and sandwich prep stations where multiple smaller ingredient pans need to sit neatly within the same opening.

Solid vs Perforated GN Pans

Most kitchens use a mixture of solid and perforated pans.

Solid gastronorm pans are the most common and are used for storing, cooking and serving food.

They are suitable for:

• sauces
• prepared dishes
• batch cooking
• refrigerated storage

Perforated pans contain small holes that allow liquid to drain away.

They are commonly used for:

• steaming vegetables
• draining pasta
• holding foods where moisture needs to escape

Need Lids?

Gastronorm lids are a simple but useful addition to many kitchen setups. A well-fitting lid helps protect food, reduce contamination and maintain temperature during storage or service.

Kitchens commonly use lids when storing ingredients in refrigeration, transporting prepared food or holding dishes ready for service.

Standard lids provide a complete seal across the pan, while notched lids include a small cut-out that allows utensils or serving spoons to remain in the container while the lid stays in place. This makes them particularly useful in buffet displays, prep counters and service stations.

Most lids fit standard GN pans precisely, allowing the same lid to work across multiple pieces of equipment. Many kitchens keep lids alongside their containers to create a simple and flexible storage system.

Traditionally, gastronorm pans and lids are sold separately. This gives kitchens the flexibility to choose the exact combination of pan sizes, depths and lid styles they need, whether that’s standard lids for storage or notched lids that allow serving utensils to remain in place during service.

Materials: Stainless Steel vs Polycarbonate

Most professional kitchens rely on stainless steel gastronorm pans because they are durable, hygienic and suitable for both hot and cold use.

However, polycarbonate and polypropylene pans are often used for chilled food storage. These plastic containers are lightweight and transparent, making it easier to identify ingredients quickly during service.

Need help choosing?

If you’re unsure which gastronorm containers will work best with your equipment, our team is happy to help.

Browse our full range of stainless steel gastronorm pans and lids here.

Or call us on 01379 641223 and we can recommend the right size and depth for your setup.