Gastronorm Containers: The Standard for Professional Kitchens

Gastronorms are the backbone of kitchen organisation, ensuring efficient use of ovens, fridges, prep tables, and serving equipment. Originating in Switzerland and adopted by the British Standards Institution in the early 1970s, the GN system has become the universal standard for kitchen containers.

What Is a Gastronorm?

A gastronorm (GN) is essentially a standardised container system used across professional kitchens. These containers come in a variety of materials:

• Solid metal – roasting trays
• Perforated metal – for steaming
• Toughened glass – for visual presentation
• Composite plastics – durable and lightweight
• Disposable materials – such as aluminium foil

Fun fact: GN is shorthand for “gastronorm” and is widely used in kitchen equipment specifications.

The key purpose of the system is compatibility and efficiency—allowing containers to fit perfectly into ovens, fridges, prep tables, and bain-maries without wasting space.

Gastronorm Sizes: Maximising Kitchen Efficiency

The full-size container is called 1/1 GN, measuring 530mm x 325mm. All other sizes are fractions or multiples of this.

Depth Options

Gastronorm containers are available in depths of 10mm, 20mm, 40mm, 65mm, 100mm, 150mm, and 200mm.

Important: Always check depth when considering oven capacity. Six 40mm-deep pans hold less food than six 65mm-deep pans, even if the container footprint is the same.

Gastronorm Applications

The GN system has evolved far beyond ovens:

• Bains-marie – uniform sizing for water baths and hot holding
• Refrigerated prep tables – ensures containers fit perfectly for storage and prep
• Microwave ovens – compatible sizes for efficient heating
• Servy grids and cut-outs – flanges fit seamlessly for serving counters

Benefit: The GN system allows flexible, modular use across almost every piece of professional kitchen equipment.

Why Kitchens Love Gastronorms

• Maximises space in ovens, fridges, and prep tables
• Simplifies workflow with standardised sizing
• Supports multiple materials – metal, plastic, glass, and disposable
• Flexible for cooking, storage, and serving

A well-implemented GN system is essential for modern, efficient, and hygienic kitchens.

Browse our bain maries and food holding equipment.