Steam table pans, also known as hotel pans, are an industry standard for serving and warming food. These pans are used in a steam table (or hot food table), and they come in several sizes and configurations, from full-size to ninth-size. You’ll typically find these pans at a buffet station for self-service, or in a back-of-house cook line for convenient plating of meals.
Below we’ve compiled the most useful information for finding and buying the right steam pans and other food pans for your commercial kitchen.
What are the Different Types of Steam Table Pans?
Explore the different materials used in food pan construction, including some less common options like melamine and aluminum.
Stainless Steel Food Pans
Stainless steel pans are often warmed in a well that’s filled with water, but they can also be used in dry well tables without water. These pans can come with several features and configurations depending on your needs.
Stainless Steel Gauge
Stainless steel pans can be made in different thicknesses or gauges. Gauge is the thickness of the stainless steel and can range between 18 to 25 gauge. With gauge, the lower the number, the thicker the steel. The thickness should be chosen based on what you want to use the pan for.
The standard gauge for foodservice is 22 gauge, but thinner and thicker gauges are available.
| Gauge | Characteristics |
| 18-22 (thicker) |
|
| 23-25 (thinner) |
|
Stainless Steel Steam Table Pan Features
Some stainless-steel steam pans can come with special features and configurations to better fit the needs of your commercial kitchen. Read more about more of these features below.
Anti-Jamming: Anti-jam sides allow for easy stacking and storage. Some stainless steel pans will stick together when stacked, but feature allows you to stack them without damaging the sides and corners.
Rolled/Flat Edges: A rolled or flat edge helps lock in heat when using the pan in a steam table. This edge type is useful in saving energy costs and maintaining food temperature.
Perforated: Perforated steam pans keep food dry and away from water while heating in a steam table. This is ideal for things like steaming vegetables or holding pasta.
Pour Corners: Steam table pans with pour corners allow for easy cleaning and pouring. These corners also provide additional reinforcement against dings and dents in your pan. Pour, or coved, corners will help extend the life and use of your steam pan.
Plastic Food Pans
If you’re looking for something economical and efficient in a steam table or cold food table, consider plastic food pans. Plastic food pans are useful for storing and serving due to their wide temperature range. There are two main types of plastic food pans: hot food pans and cold food pans. This classification determines the use and temperature range of a food pan. Read more below:
ABS Plastic: ABS plastic (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is a thermoplastic polymer. While it’s not the most common material for food pans, some types are FDA compliant and are useful for refrigeration.
High-Heat Plastic: High-heat plastic is a durable material that can be heated to high temperatures. This plastic has a high melting point, so it can be heated in microwaves and used to serve in steam tables.
Polycarbonate: Polycarbonate is a translucent thermoplastic polymer that is tough and strong. This food-safe plastic is ideal for use in cold food storage and refrigerated buffet displays. Pick polycarbonate for easy identification of food storage due to the translucent color.
Polypropylene: Polypropylene (PP) is a tough and rigid thermoplastic that is lightweight. PP is non-toxic and has a higher melting point than polycarbonate. Use a polypropylene container for its strength and durability against chemicals and staining.
Our chart below can help you determine which material type matches your temperature needs:
| Material | Type | Temperature Range | Used For |
| ABS Plastic | Cold | 32°F to 180°F | Keep food at ServSafe temperature of 40°F, hold condiments, buffet service |
| High-Heat Plastic | Hot | -40°F to 425°F | Serve in hot steam tables, cook in microwaves, store in refrigerator |
| Polycarbonate | Cold | -40°F to 210°F | Serve in cold tables, store in refrigerators |
| Polypropylene | Cold | -40°F to 160°F | Serve in buffet displays, store ingredients in refrigerator, food prep |
Other Types of Commercial Food Pans
While stainless steel and plastic are the most common materials in food pans, there are some other less common food pan types. These pans have some different properties and uses compared to plastic and stainless steel pans.
Melamine Food Pans: Melamine food pans are ideal for display in buffets and family-style dining. Melamine dinnerware and pans are resistant to staining, chipping, and cracking, making it perfect to use as display ware.
Benefits of Melamine:
- Dishwasher safe
- Use in displays or for serving
- Resistant to chips, stains, and cracks
Note: melamine is not recommended for use in hot tables or refrigerated storage.
Aluminum Food Pans: Aluminum pans share many similarities with stainless steel, including the fact that they are often used for hot food service. These pans will typically be coated with nonstick coating for easy serving and cleaning. Unlike stainless steel, aluminum does have the potential to rust.
Benefits of Aluminum:
- Virtually indestructible
- Conducts temperature more evenly
- Resists denting
Hotel Pan Sizes and Layout
Knowing steam pan sizes is crucial for creating your ideal steam table setup. Pan sizes are listed as fractions, as well as Gastronorm sizing. These size types were developed as an industry standard, allowing you to buy pans from a variety of manufacturers and know that they’ll fit in your steam table.
What is Fraction Sizing?
Fraction sizing is used in the United States, and they range from full size (largest) to 1/9 size (smallest). The sizes indicate how many of the pans can fit in the space of one full-size pan, or 20-¾” by 12-¾”. This standard sizing allows users to serve different foods in a variety of space layouts. For example, full sizes are perfect for entrees, while smaller sizes are great for condiments or sides.
Check out our handy size chart:
What is Gastronorm Sizing?
Gastronorm sizes are measured in millimeters and are widely used in Europe, where the metric system is standard. This size range is common in the catering industry and the international market.
Top Vendors for Steam Table Pans
The foodservice industry has come to rely on a group of vendors to provide the best in food pans and steam pans. These manufacturers produce quality, reliable food pans that you can use in your commercial kitchen. Here are some of our best sellers:
- Vollrath: Known in the industry as innovators of the steam pan, Vollrath offers a variety of food pans and accessories. Their Super Pan V Stainless Steel Steam Pans are made with durable pour corners and are offered with a lifetime warranty. Their Super Shape collection offers an assortment of “wild pans” for unique configurations.
- Cambro: Cambro offers hot and cold plastic food pans that stand up to commercial use. Their Camwear pans are designed to be virtually unbreakable and allow you to store, transport, and serve in one pan.
- Carlisle: Known for their high-heat and Coldmaster pans, Carlisle offers plastic food pans in a variety of sizes. Whether you need polycarbonate, stainless, or ABS plastic, Carlisle has it all.
- Value Series: Value Series food pans combine quality with cost savings. Find plastic and stainless food pans that meet the demanding environment of your commercial kitchen.
In Conclusion
Trust Central Restaurant Products for all your steam table pan needs. In addition to the pans themselves, we offer a wide range of steam table pan accessories, from lids and liners to colanders and drain shelves.
Explore our handpicked selection of steam table pans and accessories to equip your kitchen today!
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