Steamer Pan Sizes: Half-Size Dimensions

A half-size steamer pan is a versatile kitchen essential, commonly used in the food service industry and catering. Measuring 12 inches by 10 inches, it is half the size of a full-size steam table pan, hence the name. Two half-size pans can fit into the same space as one full-size pan, making them ideal for side dishes, salads, and smaller entrées. They are also perfect for barbeque meats, casseroles, and cakes. Made from durable materials like aluminium foil, these pans are designed for efficiency, allowing you to prep, cook, serve, and store food all in one convenient container. Cleanup is a breeze too, as these pans are 100% recyclable and disposable.

Half-Size Steamer Pan Characteristics and Values

Half-size pans are used for side dishes and salad toppings

Half-size pans are a versatile option for cooking, storing, and serving a variety of dishes. They are commonly used for side dishes, salad toppings, and smaller entrées on food bars. Here are some ways in which half-size pans can be used for side dishes and salad toppings:

Side Dishes

Half-size pans, measuring approximately 12 inches by 10 inches, are perfect for cooking and serving side dishes. Their compact size allows for easy storage and transportation, making them a convenient option for catering and food service operations. The pans can be used to cook and serve a variety of side dishes, such as vegetables, potatoes, or rice. They are also suitable for casseroles, cakes, and barbeque meats. The pans' ability to retain heat ensures that side dishes remain warm and appetizing throughout the duration of an event or meal service.

Salad Toppings

Half-size pans are also ideal for holding salad toppings and ingredients. Their size allows for the separation and organization of different toppings, making salad preparation and assembly efficient and tidy. Common salad toppings that can be held in half-size pans include chopped vegetables, cheeses, nuts, seeds, and fruits. The pans can also be used to hold dressings, sauces, and condiments commonly used in salads. This helps to streamline the salad preparation process, ensuring that all toppings and ingredients are easily accessible and well-organized.

Portion Control and Space Saving

The use of half-size pans for side dishes and salad toppings offers portion control benefits. The compact size of the pans helps to standardize portion sizes, reducing waste and ensuring consistent serving sizes. Additionally, the pans' dimensions allow for efficient use of space. Two half-size pans can fit in the same space as a full-size pan, maximizing storage and display areas. This is particularly advantageous for catering events or buffet-style dining, where space may be limited.

Convenience and Clean-up

Half-size pans offer convenience not only in their size and versatility but also in their clean-up. Many half-size pans are disposable and recyclable, making post-event or post-meal clean-up quick and easy. This feature is especially valuable for catering businesses, as it reduces the time and effort required for clean-up, allowing for a more efficient operation.

They are also used for barbeque meats, casseroles and cakes

A half-size steamer pan is roughly 12 inches by 10 inches, and they are extremely versatile. They can be used for a variety of dishes, including barbecuing meats, casseroles, and even cakes.

Barbecue Meats

Half-size steamer pans are a great option for barbecuing meats. Their size makes them perfect for cooking larger cuts of meat, such as chicken and pork, and their depth of around 2 1/2 inches means there is plenty of room to retain juices from the meat. They are also designed to fit a variety of smoker models, making them a convenient choice for smoking different types of meat at the same time.

Casseroles

The pans are ideal for casseroles and similar dishes. Their size and depth allow for a good volume of food to be cooked and served, and their disposable nature means less time spent on cleaning up afterward.

Cakes

Steaming is a great alternative to baking cakes. Japanese steamed cakes, or "mushi-pan," are made with simple ingredients such as flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, sugar, and neutral-flavored oil. The batter is steamed in a frying pan or steamer, resulting in soft, light, and spongy cakes. The pans' standard size and depth make them perfect for this purpose, allowing for easy steaming and serving.

Two half pans fill the same space as one full-size pan

When it comes to food pans, there are several standard sizes, with some being more common than others. Their precise dimensions vary slightly between manufacturers, but they are all named according to their size compared to a full-size pan.

A full-size pan measures roughly 12 inches by 20 inches and is commonly used for cooking large batches and serving popular items such as fried chicken, burgers, and salad greens.

Now, a half-size pan measures approximately 12 inches by 10 inches. As the name suggests, it is half the size of a full-size steam table pan, and two of these pans will fill the same space as one full-size pan. Half pans are typically used for side dishes, salad toppings, and smaller entrées on food bars. They are extremely versatile and efficient, allowing you to prep, cook, serve, and store food all in one convenient pan.

The versatility of half pans extends beyond their dimensions. They are commonly used in the food service industry and catering but can also be perfect for barbeque meats, casseroles, cakes, and more. Additionally, they are recyclable, making cleanup a breeze.

The standard sizes of full and half pans are not set in stone, and you may find slight variations in their dimensions across different manufacturers. However, the key takeaway is that two half pans will fit into the same space as one full-size pan, providing you with flexibility and options for preparing and serving food.

Half-size pans are available in different depths

For example, a disposable half-size steam table pan with a medium depth of 4255 measures 12¾" x 10⅜" at the top outside dimensions (rim to rim) and 10½" x 8⅛" at the bottom. It has a capacity of 104 fluid ounces and is made of 40-gauge aluminum foil.

Another option is a Choice half-size foil steam table pan with a depth of 2 9/16 inches and a capacity of 120 fluid ounces. This pan is made of 35-gauge aluminum foil and is designed for easy stacking, making it ideal for storage and transportation.

The depth of a hotel pan is another factor that can be used to determine the pan size. Some steam table pans are classified as "100" or "200," indicating a depth of 2 1/2 inches. However, it's important to note that not all steam table pans have the same depth, and the depth may vary depending on their intended use.

They are commonly used in the food service industry and for catering

Half-size steam pans are widely used in the food service industry and catering. They are made from durable aluminium foil and are designed for cooking, storing, and serving food. They are commonly used for sides, entrees, appetizers, and desserts. They are also perfect for barbeque meats, casseroles, and cakes.

Half-size steam pans are ideal for casual catered events or back-of-house operations. They are disposable, making cleanup quick and easy, and they are also 100% recyclable. These pans are available in various depths, including medium and extra deep, and typically have a capacity of around 100-120 fluid ounces.

The standard dimensions of a half-size steam pan are roughly 12 inches by 10 inches. Two half pans can fit in the same space as a full-size pan, which measures approximately 12 inches by 20 inches. This makes half-size pans extremely versatile and efficient for food preparation, cooking, and serving.

Half-size steam pans are widely available from catering supply companies and can be purchased in bulk at wholesale prices. They are a popular choice for caterers, restaurants, hotels, and even home bakers due to their convenience, durability, and affordability.

Frequently asked questions