Restaurant Equipment Buyers Guide : pan guide
Starting a restaurant is no easy task... Here are a few descriptions on terminology for different pan types commonly found in a commercial kitchen.
FEATURED PRODUCTS
Food Pan, Full Size, (20-3/4" x 12-3/4") x 2-1/2" Deep, Stainless Steel (Priced Each, Sold in Cases of 12), Super Pan V Seriesprice: $23.95
Food Pan, One Fourth Size, (10-3/8" x 6-3/8") x 2-1/2" Deep, Stainless Steel (Priced Each, Sold in Cases of 12), Super Pan V Seriesprice: $12.92
Food Pan, One-Third Size Outer, Wild Pan, (20-1/4" x 12-13/16") x 2-1/2" Deep, 2.6 Qt., Stainless Steel, (Priced Each, Sold in Cases of 6), Super Pan Super Shape Wild Panprice: $26.46
Bain Marie Pot, 1-1/4 quart, Stainless Steel, Fits 4-1/4" opening, (Priced Each, Sold in Cases of 12price: $15.05
Hotel Pans
Hotel Pans are usually Rectangular Stainless Steel Pans used cook, store & serve food. They are designed to fit in steam tables, racks & chafers.
A full size pan is 12" by 20", yet there are also 1/2, 1/3, 1/6 & 1/9th pan sizes. Depths of these Pans vary: 2", 4" & 6".
Hotel Pans may have perforation for easier steaming access.
Polyethylene Pans
Polyethylene Pans are known for their Clarity, Durability & Convenience. They may be used for Storing, Transporting & Serving food... Not a good idea to cook in them.
A full size pan is 12" by 20", yet there are also 1/2, 1/3, 1/6 & 1/9th pan sizes. Depths of these Pans vary: 2", 4" & 6".
Sheet Pans
Sheet pans, baking trays or baking sheets are flat, rectangular metal pans that are used in ovens. They can best used for cooking products such as Cookies, Sheet Cakes, Swiss Rolls & Other various flat products. Like all bakeware, sheet pans can be made of a variety of materials... however most are aluminum or stainless steel.
A full size pan is 18" by 26", yet there are also 1/2, 3/4, 1/4, pan sizes.
Water & Steam Table Pans
Full size steam table pans are made to fit in a 20" by 12" cutout in hot or cold food tables and chafing stands, but the lip is a little wider to hold it in place. Usually, water pans are full sized pans 6" to 8" deep. Food pans or trays of various configured partitions are then inserted or placed into the water pans or food table cutout. Full size steam table pans measure 20-7/8" x 12-13/16" and come in various depths. Also, you can order food pans in various configurations of 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 2/3, 1/6, and 1/9 of the full size. Use of divider bars are usually required to fit food pans of 1/6 and 1/9 configurations into the steam table pans.
Suggestions for Configurations
There are multiple pan sizes to support an array of configurations. Standard rectangular pans, square pans, round pans, ovals and even wild pans!
