What is a gastronorm pan?
A gastronorm, also known as gastro-norm or GN, is a EU standard size used in relations to pans and trays utilised in the catering and food service industry. GN pans are available in a variety of sizes and depths to meet all demands, are available in a range of materials depending on the intended use and can be arranged in a number of configurations.

What is a gastronorm pan used for?
Gastronorm or GN pans are used for a great number of functions, to name a few: food prep, storage, cooking, blast chilling and display, gastronorms are a universally essential piece of equipment that is key to all aspects of commercial catering. The huge range of sizes and configurations make them one of the most versatile and flexible additions to a food service business. 

What are they made from?
Most commonly GN pans are made from Stainless Steel however polycarbonate plastic options are available to purchase.

Stainless Steel is commonly used in the catering industry as it is durable and can withstand repeated use in hard wearing environments as well as the ability to be hygenically cleaned frequently in line with food safety standards. More on food safety here: https://www.food.gov.uk/

Plastic GN pans are sometimes used for food prep, transport and storage.

GN Pan sizes:
All GN pans are based on fractions, the standard base being 1/1 GN. All other sizes are compositions of this.

1 x 1/1 GN = 2 x 1/2 GN
1 x 1/2 GN = 2 x 1/4 GN

Using the above you can also work out that:

4 x 1/4 GN = 1/1 GN and 2 x 1/4 GN + 1 x 1/2 GN = 1/1 GN

Standard GN sizes in the UK:

Consider depth when purchasing GN pans, this is measured from the base to the lip (top of the pan)
The above shows how the different combinations of GN pans can be combined for a perfect setup.

What commercial equipment uses GN pans?
Many pieces of commercial refrigeration, mainly the ones intended for use in a professional kitchen are designed with GN pans in mind. Storage fridges, freezers, chillers, blast chillers, prep counters and topping units.

GN pans are perfect in conjunction with cabinet refrigeration as food can be inserted, retreived and dealt with as a whole which makesfood service a lot smoother in busy environments.

GN pans can be used to display hot and cold and ambient buffet displays or in a topping unit as a way of organising regularly used ingredients.