Catering Foil Pans: How Many Servings?

Catering foil pans are versatile and convenient for various cooking and baking applications. They are ideal for catering events, meal prepping, or selling baked goods. The size of the pan you choose will depend on the specific use case and the volume of food you need to prepare, cook, or store.

Catering foil pans typically come in three standard sizes: full size, half size, and third size. Full-size foil pans are the largest, measuring 20 3/4 x 12 3/4, and are commonly used for catering events, buffets, and large crowds. Half-size foil pans measure 12 3/4 x 10 3/8 and are ideal for casseroles, roasting vegetables, and salads. Third-size foil pans measure 12 3/4 x 6 7/8 and are perfect for prepping and cooking smaller quantities of ingredients and dishes.

In addition to the standard sizes, there are also specialty foil pans available, such as disposable loaf pans, cake pans, and pie pans, which come in various sizes and shapes.

When choosing a catering foil pan, it is also important to consider the thickness of the foil. Foil pans come in a range of thicknesses, from standard-duty to heavy-duty, which will affect their sturdiness and weight capacity. Standard-duty foil pans are suitable for most everyday cooking and baking applications, while heavy-duty foil pans offer increased strength and durability for heavier dishes or off-site catering events.

Foil pan sizes for catering

When it comes to catering, choosing the right size foil pan is essential. The most common foil pan sizes are small, medium, and large, or, in the case of rectangular pans, full size, half size, and third size.

Full-Size Foil Pans

Full-size foil pans are the largest of the foil pan sizes. They measure 20 3/4" x 12 3/4" and come in shallow, medium, and deep depths, ranging from 1 11/16" to 3 3/8" deep. Full-size pans are typically used for catering events, buffets, and large crowds. The deeper pans are ideal for roasts and turkeys, while the shallow pans are better suited for roasting vegetables and small cuts of meat.

Half-Size Foil Pans

Half-size foil pans measure 12 3/4" x 10 3/8" and come in shallow, medium, deep, and extra-deep depths, ranging from 1 1/2" to 4 3/16" deep. This size is perfect for casseroles, roasting vegetables, and salads, as well as family-sized portions for takeout or meal prep businesses.

Third-Size Foil Pans

Third-size foil pans measure 12 3/4" x 6 7/8" and are commonly used for prepping and cooking smaller quantities. They are ideal for baking, roasting, and broiling side dishes, small cuts of meat, and vegetables.

Small, Medium, and Large Foil Pans

Small foil pans are perfect for individual servings, side dishes, or desserts, while medium pans bridge the gap between individual servings and large-scale catering. Large foil pans, on the other hand, are designed for bulk cooking and catering and are essential for holiday turkeys, large roasts, or feeding a big crowd.

In addition to these standard sizes, foil pans also come in a variety of specialty sizes, such as loaf pans, cake pans, and pie pans, each with their own unique dimensions and capacities.

Foil pan uses

Foil pans are versatile and convenient for various cooking and baking applications. They can handle both hot and cold foods, and they make cleanup easy. They are also durable, recyclable, and can be used for storing and serving food. Here are some common uses for foil pans:

Catering and Events

Foil pans are commonly used for catering events, buffets, and large crowds. They are perfect for sides, entrees, appetizers, and desserts. They can also be used for storing and transporting food.

Baking

Foil pans are ideal for baking bread, cakes, pies, and other baked goods. They come in various sizes and shapes, including round, square, and heart-shaped. They are also disposable, making cleanup easy.

Roasting and Cooking

Foil pans can be used for roasting vegetables, meat, and poultry. They are also suitable for casseroles, salads, and other side dishes. Additionally, they can be used on the grill or in the oven.

Gift Giving

Foil pans are perfect for sharing food with family and friends. The disposable nature of the pans means that they can be easily transferred from one person to another without any hassle.

Smoking and Outdoor Cooking

The disposable foil pan is a handy tool for outdoor cooking. It can be used as a drip pan to collect juices from meats, a water pan to produce a convection environment, or a warmer to maintain the temperature of food.

Foil pan thickness

The thickness of a foil pan is measured in gauge, and the thickness of the foil affects the pan's sturdiness and weight capacity. Standard-duty foil pans are suitable for most everyday cooking and baking applications and are more affordable. They are typically used for small meat cuts, baked goods, pasta, and vegetables. Standard-duty foil pans range from 35 to 55 gauge in thickness.

Heavy-duty foil pans, on the other hand, offer increased strength and durability, making them ideal for heavier dishes or when extra sturdiness is required, such as with off-site catering events. They can also handle higher temperatures and resist warping. Heavy-duty foil pans range from 58 to 70 gauge in thickness.

When choosing a foil pan, it is important to consider the specific use case. For example, if you are catering an event and need to transport the pans, a heavier-duty pan may be more suitable to prevent spills and ensure the food arrives intact.

Additionally, the thickness of the foil pan can affect the baking process. For example, thinner gauge pans are great for cookies as they achieve a crispy, browned bottom. However, for dishes with longer bake times, such as bread, a thicker pan may be preferable to prevent the bottom from browning too quickly.

Overall, the thickness of a foil pan is an important consideration depending on the intended use, with standard-duty and heavy-duty pans being the two main options available.

Foil pan types

Foil pans are versatile and convenient for cooking and baking applications. They are suitable for both hot and cold foods and make cleaning up easy. The right foil pan size is essential, whether you're catering an event, meal prepping, or selling baked goods.

Rectangular Foil Pans

Rectangular foil pans come in three standard sizes: full size, half size, and third size.

• Full-size foil pans are the largest, measuring 20 3/4" x 12 3/4", and are used for catering events, buffets, and large crowds. They come in shallow, medium, and deep depths.
• Half-size foil pans, measuring 12 3/4" x 10 3/8", are ideal for casseroles, roasting vegetables, and salads. They also come in shallow, medium, deep, and extra-deep depths.
• Third-size foil pans measure 12 3/4" x 6 7/8" and are suitable for prepping and cooking smaller quantities.

Aluminum Steam Table Pans

Aluminum steam table pans are heavy-duty and commonly used for holding and presenting food in buffets, catering events, or self-service settings. They have deep depths, making them suitable for roasting, and their curled rims prevent spills during cooking and transport. They come in full, half, and third sizes.

Disposable Loaf Pans

Disposable loaf pans are rectangular and used for baking bread, meatloaf, or cakes. They feature full curl rims, which makes it easy to wrap with plastic or aluminum foil, or compatible lids for merchandising. They are measured by capacity, with 2 lb. being the standard size.

Disposable Aluminum Foil Cake Pans

Disposable aluminum foil cake pans come in full, half, and quarter sizes and have a shallow depth. They also come in square, round, and heart shapes. They are ideal for bakeries or markets that serve sheet cakes, cinnamon rolls, pies, or brownies, allowing operators to bake, serve, and display in one container.

Disposable Aluminum Pie Pans

Aluminum pie pans come in various sizes and depths and feature a full curl rim to aid in crust formation and provide extra stability. They are a convenient option for bakeries, markets, and cafes that bake a high volume of pies for in-house sales.

Foil pan shapes

Foil pans are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them versatile and convenient for various cooking, baking, and catering purposes. Here is a detailed overview of the different foil pan shapes:

Rectangular Foil Pans

Rectangular foil pans are the most common type and come in three standard sizes: full size, half size, and third size. These pans are ideal for catering events, buffets, and meal prep services. The full-size option is the largest, measuring 20 3/4" x 12 3/4", while the third-size pan measures 12 3/4" x 6 7/8". These pans also vary in depth, ranging from shallow to extra-deep, making them suitable for anything from roasting vegetables to serving large portions of food.

Round and Oblong Pans

Round and oblong foil pans are also available and come in a variety of sizes. These pans are perfect for take-out services and can be paired with foil board lids or clear dome lids.

Loaf Pans

Loaf pans are rectangular and commonly used for baking bread, meatloaf, or cakes. They typically come in sizes ranging from 1 lb. to 5 lb. and feature full curl rims, making them easy to wrap with plastic or foil.

Cake Pans

Disposable aluminum foil cake pans are ideal for bakeries or markets that offer sheet cakes, cinnamon rolls, pies, or brownies. They come in full, half, and quarter sizes and have a shallow depth. Cake pans also come in various shapes, including square, round, and heart-shaped.

Pie Pans

Aluminum pie pans are perfect for baking various types of pies, quiches, and tarts. They come in a range of sizes and depths to suit different baking needs. Pie pans feature a full curl rim to aid in crust formation and provide extra stability.

Steam Table Pans

Steam table pans are heavy-duty and commonly used for holding and presenting food items in buffet lines, catering events, or self-service settings. They have deep depths, making them suitable for roasting. These pans also come in full, half, and third sizes.

Frequently asked questions