What are Gastronorm containers?
Gastronorm (GN) containers are essential storage bins specifically designed for food and ingredient storage in the catering industry. Available in various types, such as trays and bowls, with or without lids, GN containers are crafted from high-quality materials like stainless steel. Their standardized Gastronorm sizes enable easy stacking and seamless integration into every stage of the food preparation process, from storage and baking to serving.
In addition to stainless steel, GN containers are also manufactured from materials like polycarbonate or Teflon, along with their respective lids. It's important to note that these containers and lids are not interchangeable due to variations in material and design.
What does ‘Gastronorm’ mean?
The term "Gastronorm," often abbreviated as GN, signifies a globally recognized measurement standard in the catering industry. This standardization facilitates efficiency and convenience by allowing the use of containers of the same size for all food-related operations, including delivery, storage, cooling, baking, and serving. By employing GN dimensions, catering establishments can optimize space utilization, minimize food waste, and streamline their operations.
GN dimensions have been implemented in many types of pans, trays, dishes, lids, pots, grids, baking trays and everywhere your food ends up. This also applies to all the places that these pans and dishes themselves may end up in or on. For example, they fit easily into ovens, freezers , trolleys, shelves, saladettes, tabletop display fridges or bain maries.
Thanks to the standardised sizes, everything is stackable and fits into various catering equipment, storage systems and transport solutions.
What Gastronorm sizes are there?
There are nine standard Gastronorm sizes, with 1/1 GN being the most common and fundamental size. All other sizes are either increases or decreases of this standard size, enabling versatility and compatibility across various catering equipment and storage solutions. These sizes range from 2/1 GN, the largest, to 1/9 GN, the smallest, with standard depths ranging from 2cm to 20cm.
Here is an overview of the GN sizes from large to small:
- 2/1 GN: 650 x 530mm
- 1/1 GN: 325 x 530mm
- 2/3 GN: 325 x 354mm
- 2/4 GN: 162 x 530mm
- 1/2 GN: 325 x 265mm
- 1/3 GN: 325 x 176mm
- 1/4 GN: 265 x 162mm
- 1/6 GN: 176 x 162mm
- 1/9 GN: 108 x 176mm
Besides the fact that everything is stackable, you can also make different configurations with them. For example, a 1/2 GN container fits into a 1/1 GN container twice. A 1/3 GN container fits into a 1/1 GN container three times.
How to clean GN containers
GN containers are easy to clean, typically being dishwasher safe due to their stainless steel construction. To maintain hygiene, empty the containers and rinse off any food residue before placing them in the dishwasher. For stubborn residue, soaking the containers in warm water before cleaning can help loosen debris. Once cleaned, ensure the containers are thoroughly dried before stacking or reuse.
