Why Is It Called a Half Pan
“half pan” typically refers to a specific size of pan used in professional kitchens and catering settings. Gastronorm pans, also known as GN pans or hotel pans, are a standardized set of food containers used for storing, transporting, and serving food in the foodservice industry.
“half pan” denotes that the pan is half the size of a full pan, which is the standard size for many commercial kitchens. This standard system allows for better organization, efficiency, and compatibility with different kitchen equipment such as ovens, refrigerators, and food warmers.
How Big is a Half Size Foil Pan
Half size pan is approximately half the size of a full size pan and a standard half size foil steam pan is approximately 9″ x 13″. Half steam pan can be divided into three sizes: deep, medium and shallow.
Aluminum half pans are usually rectangular in shape and are often used as steam pans. They can also be used for cooking, baking, etc. Half size aluminum pan is the most commonly used aluminum foil container in catering kitchens.
Standard Half Size Foil Pan
The standard half steam pan is the 9×13 foil pan.
Rectangular in shape, approximately 9 inches wide, 13 inches long, and 2 inches deep, the 9×13 foil pan is commonly used for baking, roasting, and storing dishes and is ideal for preparing family-sized meals. You can easily find 9×13 aluminum foil pans in supermarkets, kitchen supply stores, and online retailers.
What Size is a Half Size Foil Pan
Half steam pan dimensions are not exactly the same. The half aluminum trays produced by different aluminum foil tray manufacturers are different, but the size will not be very different.
Taking the half size foil pan produced by our company as an example, we divide it into four types: half size shallow steam table pan, half size medium steam table pan, half size deep steam table pan, and half size extra deep steam table pan.
Half Size Aluminum Pan Dimensions Chart
| Name | Item No. | Top out | Top In | Base | Depth | Capacity |
| Half size shallow steam table pan | YSA-3326S | 12 5/8โ x 10 1/4โ | 11 9/16โ x 9 3/16โ | 10 7/16โ x 8 1/16โ | 1 5/8โ | 71 fl.oz |
| Name | Item No. | Top Out | Top In | Base | Depth | Capacity |
| Half size medium steam table pan | YSA-3326M | 12 5/8โ x 10 1/4โ | 11 3/4โ x 9 7/16โ | 10 7/16โ x 8 1/16โ | 2 1/16โ | 96 fl.oz |
| Name | Item No. | Top Out | Top In | Base | Depth | Capacity |
| Half size deep steam table pan | YSA-3326D | 12 5/8โ x 10 1/4โ | 11 5/8โ x 9 1/4โ | 10 3/16โ x 7 11/16โ | 2 9/16โ | 105 fl.oz |
| Name | Item No. | Top out | Top In | Base | Depth | Capacity |
| Half size extra deep steam table pan | YSA-3326ED | 12 5/8โ x 10 1/4โ | 11 5/8โ x 9 1/4โ | 9 11/16โ x 7 5/16โ | 3 1/2โ | 128 fl.oz |
Half Pan vs Full Pan
- Dimensions: Half foil pans typically measure around 9×13 inches and full foil pans typically measure around 18×26 inches.
- Capacity: Due to their smaller size, half steam foil pans are better suited for smaller portions or dishes, such as side dishes, smaller casseroles, or desserts. Full foil pans have a larger capacity and are ideal for cooking larger amounts of food, such as entrees, large batch casseroles, or party desserts.
- Usage: Half pans are perfect for serving alone, for small gatherings, or for cooking smaller portions. All-foil pans are better suited for catering, serving large groups, or preparing family-sized meals.
- Cost: Half foil pans are generally less expensive than full foil pans.
How Many People Does a Half Pan Feed
1 2 size pans (12x10x2.5 inches) are typically used for casseroles, lasagnas, or similar baked dishes that serve 6-8 people. Assume a standard serving size of 1-1.5 cups per person.
When using a 1/2 steam pan for side dishes such as roasted vegetables, potatoes, etc., it typically serves 8-10 people, with a serving size of 1/2 to 3/4 cup.
For cakes, brownies, or baked goods on bars, a half-size pan will provide 12-16 servings.
When used for roasts, a half-pan will hold a 4-6 pound roast, which will serve 6-8 people, and is a typical serving size.