Posted by Rachel Schwartz on 1/15/2021 to
Restaurant
Food pans make up a large and vital part of the food making process in any commercial kitchen. They are used in almost every single step of food preparation, presentation, and storage. Because of this, food pans--and their accompanying covers--can be found in a variety of depths, lengths, sizes, styles, and materials. Most often, these decisions are made based on the needs of the commercial kitchen or on personal preference.
Mixing and matching food pans is also common. When this is done, a divider bar or adapter bar may be necessary as the mixed and matched food pans may be different sizes.
Materials
There are three main things to consider when purchasing food pans--the materials it is made of, the style, and the size. While there are several materials available, plastic and stainless steel tend to be the most popular material choices for most kitchens. Stainless steel is a popular choice as it is not only easy to clean but is also scratch and dent resistant an can withstand heavy use. An advantage of stainless steel food pans is that they can be moved from the freezer to the oven to a refrigerated serving table without having to switch to a new food pan each time. This is especially ideal for restaurants, buffets, and cafeterias. While 22-gauge stainless steel is the standard weight for food pans in the foodservice industry, lighter and heavier weight options are also available. For example, for super busy commercial kitchens, a food pan with a slightly lower gauge and thicker steel is ideal.
Plastic is the other popular choice material for food pans. There are several different types of plastic material, each one primarily designed for a different temperature range and available in a variety of colors. Considered the "regular" temperature range, polycarbonate can withstand temperatures ranging from -40°F to 210°F. This plastic is shatter-proof and is resistant to food acid and oils. Polycarbonate food pans are designed with cold food in mind.
Food pans made from translucent polypropylene are BPA free and have a temperature range of -40°F to 160°F. They are ideal for cold storage. While both polycarbonate and polypropylene are good for cold foods, cold pans are specifically designed to keep food at or below 40°F. No ice is needed either; simply freeze the food pan for at least eight hours or overnight before filling it with food that has also been chilled and the food will stay cold for hours.
Unlike the plastics used to store or keep food cold, there are also food pans designed for hotter temperatures. These pans typically have a distinctive amber color rather than clear, black, or some other color. Able to withstand temperatures up to 375°F, these high temperature pans are shatter-proof and just as versatile as the stainless steel pans in being able to go from the freezer to microwave to steam table with no problem.
Other materials used for food pans include melamine, china, and cast aluminum.
Style
The style of food pan can depend on personal preference or need in the kitchen. Some pans may feature a mix of styles or just one. Food pans with a nonstick surface allows food to be cooked, served, and displayed without needing to switch pans several times. Corner style food pans feature corners with a bit more bend than others to make pouring out any unwanted or excess liquid easier.
Anti-jam style food pans are designed to maximize space with minimizing efficiency as they can be stacked on top of each other when stored and not become stuck together in the process. Perforated food pans are designed with drainage in mind and are great for freshly washed foods. Food pans with a more decorative aesthetic are designed to be both functional and presentational and allow food to be prepared and displayed using the same food pan.
Size
The last major thing to consider when buying food pans is the size. Does your kitchen need a variety of sizes or just a mix of two or three? The type of food, methods of preparation, and volume of individual ingredients most used in the kitchen should also be taken into account to help make this decision. Food pans range in size from full size down to 1/9 size. Some of the most popular sizes tend to be full, 1/3, 1/4, and 1/6 sizes. All sizes can be mixed and matched to create a variety of layouts.
