Deep-Dish Delights: 1/3 Pans, 4-Inch Height

Food pans are a necessity in any commercial kitchen, offering a versatile and efficient way to store, transport, and serve food. They come in a variety of sizes, with a 1/3 pan being one of the most common. This size is ideal for serving side dishes on hot food bars or holding small quantities of seasonings and spices. A 1/3 pan typically measures around 12 inches by 62⁄3 inches and is designed to fit into a full-size pan cutout, with three 1/3 pans fitting into a standard full-size pan.

The Winco 1/3 size pan is a popular option made from stainless steel and measuring 12.75D x 7W x 4H. It is a medium-sized pan that is perfect for buffets and catered events as it can be used with both refrigerated buffet tables and steam tables. The pan is also oven and dishwasher-safe, making it a versatile and durable option for any commercial kitchen.

A 1/3 pan is a common choice for restaurants serving side dishes on hot food bars

Food pans are an essential tool in any commercial kitchen, providing a versatile and efficient way to store, transport, and serve food. They are designed to be durable, withstanding high temperatures and resisting corrosion. Food pans are suitable for use in ovens, steam tables, and cold storage. Their stackable design and compatible lids make them ideal for maximising space efficiency.

A 1/3 pan, measuring 325mm x 176mm, is a common choice for restaurants serving side dishes on hot food bars. This size is particularly useful for separating different foods within a steam table. The 4-inch depth of the pan is also a standard option, with 2", 6", and 8" being other common depths.

The 1/3 pan is often referred to as a "hotel pan" and is used in many facets of the restaurant and catering industries. The name "hotel pan" is believed to originate from Europe, where hotel operators needed to serve large groups of diners at designated meal times. These pans are ideal for preparing and serving food in large quantities.

The versatility of the 1/3 pan makes it a popular choice. It can be used in various kitchen appliances, going from the refrigerator to the prep line, holding cabinet, and finally, the serving line. Additionally, its standard size ensures compatibility with equipment like steam tables and prep tables.

When choosing a 1/3 pan, the type of material is an important consideration. Stainless steel is a common choice due to its durability and ability to resist scratches and dents. The gauge of the stainless steel indicates its thickness, with lower gauges indicating thicker steel. For busy kitchens, a lower gauge/thicker steel option may be preferable for more even heating and increased resistance to denting and warping.

In summary, the 1/3 pan is a standard choice for restaurants serving side dishes on hot food bars. Its versatility, durability, and compatibility with kitchen equipment make it a popular option for food storage, transportation, and serving.

The capacity of a pan can be determined by filling it with water 1 cup at a time

The capacity of a pan is important to know when baking or cooking. It lets you know how much batter or food you can fit in the pan and can help you adjust recipes if you don't have the right-sized pan.

The capacity of a pan can be determined in a few ways. One way is to use math and the dimensions of the pan. For rectangular pans, you can multiply the width by the length to get the area of the pan. Then, multiply by the depth to get the volume of the pan in cubic inches or cubic centimetres. For round pans, you can calculate the area by multiplying the radius by itself and then by pi. Then, multiply by the depth to get the volume.

However, if you don't want to use math, there is a simple alternative method. You can fill the pan with water, one cup at a time, until the pan is filled to the brim, keeping track of how much water you've added. Or, you can fill the pan with water and then pour the water into a measuring cup to determine the volume.

For example, let's say you have a 1/3 pan with a 4-inch depth. You can fill the pan with water, one cup at a time, until it is full. Or, you can fill it and then pour the water into a measuring cup. This will tell you the capacity of the pan.

Using this method can help you determine the right pan to use for your recipe and make any necessary adjustments to the baking time or temperature.

A full-size pan is a vital piece of restaurant equipment used for cooking large batches and serving popular items

A full-size pan is an essential piece of equipment in any commercial kitchen, offering versatility and efficiency in storing, transporting, and serving food. Its standard dimensions of 20 3/4" x 12 3/4" make it ideal for cooking large batches and serving popular items, especially entrées such as fried chicken, burgers, and salad greens.

Full-size pans are designed to withstand high temperatures and resist corrosion, making them suitable for use in ovens, steam tables, and cold storage. Their stackable design and compatible lids maximise space efficiency, which is crucial in busy restaurant settings. The pans are available in various materials, including stainless steel, plastic, melamine, and china, each offering unique benefits to meet the demands of high-volume foodservice establishments.

Stainless steel full-size pans, for instance, are durable and resistant to scratches and dents from utensils. They can be used across a range of temperatures, from freezers to ovens, making them a versatile option for restaurants. Stainless steel pans also come in different gauges, with lower gauges offering thicker steel that provides more even heating and greater resistance to denting, albeit at a higher cost.

Plastic full-size pans, on the other hand, offer high chemical resistance and are an economical choice. They can withstand temperatures ranging from -40 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, making them suitable for both hot-holding and cold food storage.

For a more upscale and attractive presentation, melamine full-size pans provide a practical and durable alternative to stainless steel. Cast aluminium pans are also a great option, offering superior heat and cold retention, along with a unique visual aesthetic for buffet presentations.

Full-size pans come in various depths, with the most common being 2", 4", 6", and 8". The depth of the pan is crucial in determining the number of servings it can hold. Additionally, full-size pans are available with different features to meet specific needs, such as perforated pans for efficient draining of liquids, non-stick pans for delicate foods, and decorative pans for enhancing the dining experience.

Overall, a full-size pan is an indispensable tool for any restaurant, catering business, or commercial kitchen, enabling efficient food preparation, storage, and service.

A 1/2 pan is often used for side dishes, salad toppings, and smaller entrees on food bars

Food pans are an essential tool in any commercial kitchen, providing a versatile and efficient way to store, transport, and serve food. They are designed to withstand high temperatures and resist corrosion, making them suitable for use in ovens, steam tables, and cold storage. One common type of food pan is the 1/2 pan, which measures roughly 12 3/4" by 10 3/8". This size of the pan is often used for side dishes, salad toppings, and smaller entrees on food bars.

The 1/2 pan is perfect for holding and serving smaller portions of food. Its compact size makes it ideal for side dishes, such as vegetables or potatoes, or for offering a variety of salad toppings, such as croutons, nuts, or dried fruit. The 1/2 pan is also great for presenting smaller entrees, such as individual portions of lasagna, chicken, or fish. This allows customers to easily select their desired items and creates a visually appealing display.

In addition to their versatility, 1/2 pans are also highly functional. They are typically made of stainless steel, which is a hard metal that resists scratches and dents from utensils. Stainless steel pans can go directly from the freezer to the oven or steam table, making them suitable for a wide range of cooking and serving needs. The stackable design of food pans, including the 1/2 pan, maximizes space efficiency in storage and transportation. This feature is especially valuable in busy commercial kitchens, where space is often limited.

The 1/2 pan is also available in other materials, such as plastic and melamine, which offer their own unique benefits. Plastic food pans, for example, are available in different models, including regular, cold, and high-heat, to accommodate various temperature needs. They are often clear or coloured, allowing for easy identification of contents or colour-coded storage. Melamine food pans, on the other hand, offer an attractive alternative to stainless steel, while still being suitable for wet heat applications. They are durable, practical, and inexpensive, making them a popular choice for food presentation.

Overall, the 1/2 pan is a versatile and functional tool in any commercial kitchen. Its standard size and proportions make it ideal for a variety of dishes, while its durable construction and space-saving design make it a valuable asset for food storage, transportation, and service. Whether used for side dishes, salad toppings, or small entrees, the 1/2 pan is a reliable and efficient solution for any foodservice establishment.

Stainless steel pans are ideal for multi-purpose dishes, as they can be placed in a refrigerator, oven, or steamer

A 1/3 pan with a 4-inch depth is a standard food pan size. It measures roughly 12 inches by 62⁄3 inches, and three of these pans can fit in a full-size cutout. This size is commonly used for serving side dishes on hot food bars.

Now, stainless steel pans are ideal for multi-purpose dishes as they are durable, versatile, and can withstand a wide range of temperatures. They can be safely used in refrigerators, ovens, and steamers. Here are some reasons why:

Durability and Ease of Cleaning

Stainless steel is a durable material that resists scratching and is easy to clean. It is also a hard metal that can withstand scratches and dents from utensils. This makes it ideal for busy commercial kitchens or frequent use in home kitchens.

Versatility and Temperature Tolerance

Stainless steel pans can go from freezer to oven to steam tables or refrigerated tables. This makes them suitable for a wide range of dishes and cooking techniques. They can handle both cold food storage and high temperatures in ovens or steamers. This versatility allows for a seamless transition from food preparation to cooking to storage.

Standardization and Compatibility

Stainless steel pans often conform to standard sizes, such as the Gastronorm sizes widely used in Europe. These standard sizes promote flexibility and allow for easy replacement and compatibility with other appliances. The ability to interchange pans between different kitchen equipment streamlines the cooking process and makes stainless steel pans a practical choice for multi-purpose dishes.

Stackability and Space Efficiency

Stainless steel pans are designed with stackable features, allowing for efficient organization and maximizing space in refrigerators, ovens, or storage areas. This is especially beneficial for commercial kitchens or spaces where storage space is limited.

In summary, stainless steel pans are ideal for multi-purpose dishes due to their durability, ease of cleaning, temperature tolerance, standardization, and stackability. They can be safely used in refrigerators, ovens, and steamers, making them a versatile and reliable choice for various cooking needs.

Frequently asked questions