Plastic Food Pans: Which Do You Need?
Plastic food pans are a staple in delis, buffets, and back-of-house cook lines. Used to store and transport ingredients, these pans can accommodate a variety of foods in drastically different temperatures. Size, color, and material are a few of the elements to consider when purchasing a plastic food pan, and with our guide, we can help you determine which type of plastic food pan best meets your kitchen's requirements.
Plastic Food Pan Materials
When purchasing food pans, operators should consider the type of material that makes up the pan. Plastic food pans are made of one of four materials: polycarbonate, plastic, melamine, or polypropylene. Each of these comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.
- Polycarbonate food pans are the most common option. This material is durable and resistant to oil stains. Though these pans can withstand temperatures anywhere from -40 to 210 degrees Fahrenheit, and are considered suitable for all applications, they are primarily used to hold cold ingredients.
- Plastic food pans are the second most popular food pan material. These pans can accommodate ingredients from -40 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, so they're typically used to hold food at high temperatures.
- If you are going for a polished look, melamine food pans are thicker in construction and stain resistant. These are usually black or white and are not recommended for use in high temperatures.
- Polypropylene food pans hold ingredients from -40 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit and are mostly used for refrigerator and freezer storage. This economical option resists staining from chemicals and is BPA free.
Pan Size & Depth
There are a variety of pan sizes and depths available. The standard measurement for a full-size plastic food pan is 203⁄4 by 123⁄4 inches. Plastic food pans are also available in several fractional sizes. The depth can range from around 1 to 8 inches, with 21⁄2, 4, and 6 inches being the most common depths among each pan size.
Plastic Food Pan Sizes
| Size | ||
| Ninth |  | |
| Eighth |  | |
| Sixth |  | |
| Quarter |  | |
| Third |  | |
| Half |  | |
| Half long |  | |
| Full |  |
Plastic Food Pan Colors
Plastic food pans come in different colors that can be used to indicate temperatures, match existing buffet and countertop features, and prevent cross contamination of ingredients.
Clear food pans enable staff to quickly determine how much food is left in the pan and whether it needs to be replaced or not.
Amber food pans usually indicate food is being held at high temperatures and are easy to distinguish from all-purpose pans.
Black and white food pans are great for matching your display and housing eggs, peanuts, cheese, and other common food allergens.
Special Features
Plastic food pans may come with a handle or handles to help staff transport ingredients when needed and are ideal when working with heated equipment. The handles provide operators with a steady grip and can protect staff from burns caused by hot food and equipment. Some plastic food pans may also be stackable to maximize storage space and keep storage cabinets and shelves organized.
