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GN containers dimensions

Posted on09/10/2020

The dimensions of the Gastro containers meet one standard: The Gastro sizes

This standard is widely distributed all over the world and is used by all professionals in this industry, whether manufacturers, retailers or endusers. The GN abbrevation identifies the sizes of the containers and dishes, without the need to specify the dimensions.

This was not always the case. The genesis of this standard, which is little known to the general public, is worth to tell.

Originally, stainless steel dishes were manufactured by each manufacturer with their own dimensions. There was no compatibility between them, nor with the manufacturers of counters, fridges, ovens, ladder trolleys. In short, it was a bit of a jungle in the kitchens.

In the sixties in Switzerland, hoteliers and restaurateurs got together to imagine and define a system for measuring stainless steel containesrs that would allow universal compatibility between all manufacturers. The aim was to make life easier for everyone. Thus the GASTRONORM system was born.

Just like the metric system, there is a basic unit, GN 1/1, and declinations that are multiples or sub-multiples. A total of 8 sizes in all, from GN 2/1 to GN 1/9.

By convention, it was decided that GN 1/1 would measure 53.0 cm x 32.5 cm. This was the largest size that would fit into almost all ovens and fridges at that time.

From then on, manufacturers of stainless steel dishes and trays were prompted to manufacture products that met these standards, since at the same time manufacturers of large equipment (ovens, steamers, cold rooms, etc.) began to do the same. It was therefore a win-win situation.

In spite of a slow start, the standard became established among professionals, as much so that in 1993, the European Union recognised and adopted it as well (EN 631 standard).

For restaurateurs and caterers, the interest was obvious: they were able to buy equipment from different suppliers overnight, without having to speculate on the compatibility of the different products.

Over the years, the number of containers adopting the GN standard has grown up, evolving according to several parameters:

By the different depths: The Gastronorm standard (or GN standard) is only relevant to the length and width of the containers. Very quickly, the depth of the containers was standardised, even though there is no text stipulating this. There are shallow containers, height of 2 cm or 4 cm and very deep containers, depth 15 cm or even 20 cm. The latter are mainly used for ice cream at ice-cream shop or for dressings in the kitchen. The most common depth is 6.5 cm, which offers the best versatility. At first sight, there is little connection between a GN 1/1 container 2 cm deep and a GN 1/9 container 20 cm deep.
By the different materials: Originally exclusively made of stainless steel, the gastro containers have adopted new materials depending on the use. For example, polypropylene for storage; polycarbonate, tritan or melamine for storage and counters; cast aluminium for use in induction chafing-dishes. Stainless steel remains the king material for gastro ontainers, as it is the only one that can be used for all purposes and all temperatures (-25° / + 250°).
With its declinations and accessories: there are GN containers with holes , which keep food dry and improve the circulation of the cold in refrigerated counters or buffets. There are also lids, specially designed so that the containers, once covered, can be stacked one on top of the other without risk of falling. These lids are available in a watertight version with a silicone seak, or in a perforated version to allow a serving spoon to pass through when the lid covers the tray.

The worldwide success of the GN container is due to its great versatility. For professionals in the catering industry, GN containers are present at all stages of food handling. In cold rooms on trolleys for long-term storage, in kitchens for storage at room temperature and preparation, in ovens for cooking, in steem ovens for keeping warm; in the dining room on hot or cold buffets, in shop counters... its applications are realy varied. And very often, it is the same tray that will be used to go from one stage to another.

It is important to note that the GN standard only applies to the outside dimensions of the stainless steel container, which means that the shape and the inner size may be different depending on the manufacturer and that the empty containers will not necessarily be stacked together.

Thanks to its great versatility, the GN container has sometimes overthroned traditional cooking and serving equipment. This is particularly true in the catering industry.

Gastro trays are quite lightweight and cost-effective because they are deep-drawn from thin stainless steel.

By extension, the GN standard has also spread over to dishes and presentation trays for buffets.

In 50 years, the GN container enforced itself in all sectors of the catering and food industry: hotels, restaurants, caterers, collective catering, fast food, catering trade, etc...