Australian Owned Family Business

Gastronorm (GN) Pans in Australia: Sizes, Uses, Depths & What to Buy for Your Kitchen

gn pans in a commercial kitchen
GN pans for salad prep fridge
Giorik Steambox Evolution Boiler Gas Combi Oven with 10 tray capacity, SEHG101WT.SF.N

If you run a café, restaurant, bakery, butcher, deli or catering business in Australia, Gastronorm pans or GN pans are the secret sauce behind tidy prep, smooth service and easy storage. This guide breaks down sizes, depths, materials, what equipment takes GN pans, and how to choose the right mix for your venue—without the jargon.

What is a GN pan?

“Gastronorm” (GN) is the international sizing standard for food pans and trays. It means your pans, lids, racks, combi ovens, bain maries, blast chillers and salad prep fridges all speak the same language—so gear stays compatible and service runs faster.

Gastronorm (GN) pans aren’t just food containers — they’re a smart investment for any Australian café, restaurant, bakery, butcher, caterer, or supermarket. Their international standard sizing means your pans fit perfectly across multiple pieces of equipment, from combi ovens and bain maries to pizza prep fridges and deli displays, eliminating guesswork and saving time. By prepping, storing, cooking, and serving in the same pan, you speed up workflow, cut down on double handling, and reduce labour costs. Consistent sizing also helps with portion control, keeping food costs in check and quality consistent. GN pans maximise space in both the kitchen and display areas, and with GN-compatible hot boxes and carriers, transporting food for catering and events is simple and efficient. They streamline cleaning by reducing the variety of container sizes, and stainless or polycarbonate options are dishwasher-friendly. Best of all, GN pans support better food safety — with lids, colour coding, and separation of raw and cooked foods to meet Australian HACCP guidelines — making them a true workhorse for any food and beverage business.

Cookrite Electric Bain Marie with Analogue Control and Drain Tap

GN sizes

All GN sizes are based on GN 1/1 = 530 × 325 mm. Fractions are easy: they’re parts of that base. Tip: If your appliance says “fits GN 1/1”, it usually fits any combination of fractions that add up to 1/1 (e.g., two 1/2 or three 1/3, etc.).

GN SizeDimensions (mm)Typical Use
2/1650 × 530High-volume ovens, banqueting, roasting whole cuts
1/1530 × 325Combi ovens, blast chillers, bain maries, hot cupboards, salad/noodle bar fridges
2/3354 × 325Smaller combis, display, patisserie
1/2325 × 265Prep fridges, bain maries, salad bars, hot holding
1/3325 × 176Toppings, sauces, garnishes, small-batch mise
1/4265 × 162Condiments, sides
1/6176 × 162Diced veg, chilli, herbs
1/8162 × 132Garnishes, spices
1/9108 × 176Dressings, wasabi/ginger, niche condiments

In Australian commercial kitchens, the most in-demand Gastronorm (GN) pan sizes are GN 1/1, GN 1/2, GN 1/3, GN 1/6, and GN 1/4, with depths of 65 mm for everyday use and 100–150 mm for deeper dishes like soups, curries, and roasts. The GN 1/1 is the full-size staple, fitting perfectly into combi ovens, bain maries, hot cupboards, and blast chillers, while the GN 1/2 is a versatile half-size option ideal for medium batches and service pans. Smaller fractions like GN 1/3 and GN 1/6 are a favourite for toppings, sauces, garnishes, and mise en place in pizza prep benches and salad stations, with GN 1/4 pans often used for condiments, sides, and display items. These sizes are so widely used because they let you mix and match to fill a full GN space without gaps, streamline prep-to-service workflow, and keep portion sizes consistent across the menu.

Common depths & when to use them

Standard depths are 20, 40, 65, 100, 150, 200 mm. As depth goes up, capacity increases.

  • 20–40 mm (shallow): Gratins, lasagne tops, sheet roasting, fast chilling thin layers, pastry work, GN trays as lids.

  • 65 mm (mid): The all-rounder for prep, bain maries, combis.

  • 100–150 mm (deep): Wet dishes, soups, curries, slow roasts, cold storage.

  • 200 mm (extra deep): Bulk storage, stock, big-batch production.

Capacity hack (rough): Litres ≈ (Length × Width × Depth in cm) ÷ 1000.
e.g., 1/1 at 100 mm ≈ 53 × 32.5 × 10 cm ÷ 1000 ≈ 17 L (actual varies by corner radius).

Materials & what they’re best for

  • Stainless steel (18/8 or 18/10): Oven, combi, hot holding, blast chill; robust; anti-jam rims help stacking.

  • Polycarbonate (clear): Fridges, industrial freezers, mise en place, visibility; typically not for ovens/hot holding.

  • Melamine (serviceware): Buffet/service presentation; not for ovens.

  • Perforated stainless steel: Steaming, draining, crisping (chips, schnitzel, veggies). Check our food steamers and see how they would fit

  • Accessories: Solid/hinged/notched lids, drain/grids, adaptor bars, separators, pan carriers.

Equipment that uses GN pans (and what size) by industries

Cafés & brunch spots

  • 1/3 & 1/6 for toppings (avo, feta, roasted mushies), 1/2 for prep batches, 65–100 mm deep.

  • Polycarbonate for cold prep, stainless for hot line & oven.

Pizzerias & sandwich bars

  • 1/3, 1/6, 1/9 across the prep bench top of an essential pizza prep fridge; perforated pans for draining mozz or veg.

  • Go clear polycarbonate for visibility; swap to stainless for hot pass.

Restaurants & pubs

  • 1/1 & 1/2 for roasting/holding; perforated for steaming/chips; 1/6 for sauces.

  • Deep (100–150 mm) for curries and braises; shallow (20–40 mm) for gratins.

Bakeries & patisseries

  • 2/3 & 1/1 trays for baking/chilling; shallow depths for even cooling; polycarbonate for creams.

Butchers & delis

  • 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 for deli display and marinated lines in deli display fridges; lids for overnight; perforated for draining.

Supermarkets & convenience

  • Hot servery with 1/1 to 1/6 mix; cold salad bars similar; colour-coded lids for allergens.

Caterers & events

  • 1/1 & 1/2 across chafers/hot boxes; transport tubs with tight lids; nesting saves van space.

Healthcare & education

  • Consistent portioning with 1/4–1/6; lids for safe storage; labelling for HACCP compliance.

GN pans in hot food display cabinet

Buying checklist

  1. Match your appliance spec first (e.g., “fits GN 1/1—6 levels”).

  2. Plan your line: pick a fraction mix that fills the opening with minimal gaps.

  3. Depth by dish: shallow for roasting/cooling; deep for soups/wet dishes.

  4. Material by task: stainless for heat, polycarbonate for cold, melamine for display.

  5. Perforated vs solid: steam/crisp/drain vs hold/sauce.

  6. Lids & grids: lids for storage/transport; drain grids keep food above juices.

  7. Anti-jam rims: faster separation in service.

  8. Colour coding (raw/cooked/allergen) to streamline HACCP.

  9. Label window or GN-sized label clips for FIFO and date marking.

  10. Think transport: gastronorm-compatible carriers if you cater off-site.

Use cases by industry in Australia

  • Combi ovens: Usually GN 1/1 or GN 2/1 trays; also 2/3 in compact/patisserie units.

  • Bain maries / hot wells (wet or dry): Most commonly GN 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6.

  • Refrigerated prep benches (pizza/salad): 1/3, 1/6, 1/9 for toppings; sometimes 1/2.

  • Blast chillers/freezers: GN 1/1 (or 2/1 for high volume).

  • Countertop display & heated displays: Mix of 1/1 to 1/6 depending on layout.

  • Hot cupboards / warming drawers: GN 1/1 multiples.

  • Trolleys & racking: Matched to your GN base (1/1, 2/1, etc.).

  • Sous-vide baths: Often 1/1 or 1/2 inserts for portion separation.

Care, cleaning & compliance For Aussie kitchens

  • Stainless steel: Avoid harsh abrasives; soak baked-on bits; dry fully to reduce tea staining.

  • Polycarbonate: No boiling or high-heat ovens; check manufacturer temp limits; avoid strong solvents.

  • All pans: Label & date, store covered, keep raw and ready-to-eat separate for food safety.

  • Dishwashers: Use commercial detergent/rinse-aid; avoid overpacking so rims don’t trap soil.

GN pans keep your kitchen compatible, organised and fast—from prep to pass. If you want a ready-made pack sized for your exact oven, bain marie or prep bench, we can sort it.

Keen to kit out your venue? BENDGS Catering Kitchen Equipment can help you plan the exact GN mix for your gear and menu.
Call 1300 434 125, email info@bendgs.com.au, or browse our GN-compatible appliances and pans today.