Buying gastronorm pans individually is like furnishing a kitchen one utensil at a time — you end up with gaps, duplicates, and mismatched sizes that don't stack properly. A well-planned GN pan set solves all of this: standardized sizes that nest together, lids that interchange, and a configuration matched to your actual menu and workflow.
This guide helps commercial kitchen operators, foodservice distributors, and hospitality procurement teams build the right GN pan set — whether you're outfitting a full restaurant line, a café prep station, a catering operation, or a food truck.
1. Why Buy GN Pans as a Set vs Individually?
There are five practical reasons to buy GN pans as a configured set rather than piece by piece:
Cost savings: Set pricing is typically 10–20% lower per unit than individual orders. Manufacturers offer volume discounts when you order a complete configuration in one production run.
Guaranteed compatibility: All pans in a set share the same material grade, rim profile, and stacking geometry. Mixing pans from different suppliers often results in incompatible stacking — lids that don't seal, pans that wobble, and anti-jam edges that don't align.
Complete coverage from day one: A properly configured set means your kitchen has every size it needs on opening day. No emergency orders for the GN 1/6 you forgot, or the deep 1/1 you didn't realize you needed for soup storage.
Simplified inventory: One supplier, one material spec, one PO. When you need replacements, you reorder from the same set configuration — same finish, same gauge, same dimensions.
Optimized packaging & shipping: Sets are nested and packed together, reducing packaging waste and shipping volume. A nested set of 20 pans ships in a fraction of the space of 20 individually boxed pans.
2. Recommended Starter Sets by Kitchen Type
Every kitchen is different, but the following starter sets cover 80–90% of typical needs for each operation type. Adjust quantities based on your menu complexity and service volume.
Restaurant (Full-Service, 50–150 Seats)
| GN Size | Depth | Qty | Primary Use |
|---|
| GN 1/1 | 100 mm | 4 | Main course prep, marinating, oven roasting |
| GN 1/1 | 150 mm | 2 | Soup storage, large batch cooking |
| GN 1/2 | 100 mm | 4 | Side dishes, sauces, vegetables |
| GN 1/3 | 65 mm | 6 | Cold line toppings, garnish station |
| GN 1/4 | 65 mm | 4 | Condiments, dressings, small prep |
| GN 1/6 | 65 mm | 6 | Mise en place, spice containers |
| Lids (1/1) | — | 4 | Solid lids for storage and transport |
| Lids (1/2) | — | 4 | Solid or slotted lids for hot holding |
Total: ~34 pieces — covers prep, hot line, cold line, and storage for a mid-size restaurant.
Café / Bakery (20–60 Seats)
| GN Size | Depth | Qty | Primary Use |
|---|
| GN 1/1 | 65 mm | 2 | Pastry display, sandwich prep |
| GN 1/2 | 65 mm | 4 | Salads, cold cuts, daily specials |
| GN 1/3 | 65 mm | 4 | Toppings, fillings, spread station |
| GN 1/6 | 65 mm | 4 | Sauces, dressings, small garnishes |
| Lids (1/2) | — | 4 | Cover for display case and storage |
Total: ~18 pieces — compact set focused on cold display and prep.
Catering Company
| GN Size | Depth | Qty | Primary Use |
|---|
| GN 1/1 | 100 mm | 8 | Main dishes, buffet service, transport |
| GN 1/1 | 200 mm | 4 | Large batch soups, stews, rice |
| GN 1/2 | 100 mm | 6 | Side dishes, dual buffet service |
| GN 1/3 | 65 mm | 6 | Salad bar, cold appetizers |
| Lids (1/1) | — | 8 | Sealed transport + buffet cover |
| Lids (1/2) | — | 6 | Buffet cover |
| GN rack (trolley) | — | 2 | Transport and storage between events |
Total: ~40 pieces + 2 racks — heavy on full-size pans and lids for transport and buffet service.
Food Truck / Small Mobile Kitchen
| GN Size | Depth | Qty | Primary Use |
|---|
| GN 1/3 | 65 mm | 6 | Toppings, fillings, prep ingredients |
| GN 1/6 | 65 mm | 4 | Sauces, small condiments |
| GN 1/9 | 65 mm | 4 | Garnishes, specialty sauces |
| Lids (1/3) | — | 6 | Keep toppings covered during service |
Total: ~20 pieces — compact, focused on small fractional sizes that fit in limited counter space.
3. What to Include in a GN Pan Set
A complete GN pan set is more than just the pans. Here is what to consider when building your configuration:
Pan sizes: Choose a mix of fractional sizes (1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/9) based on your menu complexity. More menu items = more fractional sizes needed for mise en place.
Pan depths: Standard depths are 65 mm (standard), 100 mm (medium), 150 mm (deep), and 200 mm (extra deep). Most kitchens need a mix — shallow pans for display and service, deeper pans for storage and batch cooking.
Lids: Plan for at least one lid per pan size. Choose between solid lids (storage, transport), slotted lids (steam venting during hot holding), and hinged lids (buffet service with easy access).
Rack / trolley: If you transport pans between kitchen and service area (especially for catering), include at least one GN rack trolley. Standard trolleys hold 10–20 GN 1/1 pans on adjustable runners.
4. Set Pricing Factors
The price of a GN pan set varies significantly based on four key factors. Understanding these helps you spec the right set for your budget:
| Factor | Impact on Price | Notes |
|---|
| Material grade | SUS304 costs 20–30% more than SUS201 | SUS304 is standard for food-contact. SUS201 is suitable for non-food storage or budget operations. |
| Thickness (gauge) | 0.7 mm costs ~15% more than 0.5 mm | Thicker gauge = more durable, heavier, better heat distribution. Commercial kitchens typically use 0.7–1.0 mm. |
| Surface finish | Mirror polish costs ~10% more than matte | Mirror is standard for buffet display. Matte/satin is preferred for back-of-house prep. |
| Quantity | 100 pcs = base price; 500+ pcs = 10–15% discount | Most manufacturers require MOQ 100 pcs per SKU for standard sets. Custom configurations may require higher MOQ. |
| Packaging | Bulk nested = lowest cost; retail box = +10–15% | B2B buyers typically choose bulk nested packaging. Retail-ready sets with color boxes cost more but add shelf appeal. |
Typical set pricing (factory-direct, SUS304, 0.7 mm): A 20-piece café starter set runs approximately USD 80–150 FOB. A 40-piece catering set with lids and rack runs approximately USD 250–450 FOB. Custom logo engraving adds USD 0.30–0.80 per piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I mix GN pan sizes from different manufacturers in one set?
Technically yes — the GN standard (EN 631) defines dimensions. However, rim profiles, anti-jam edge designs, and stacking clearances vary between manufacturers. For best compatibility, source all pans in a set from one manufacturer.
Q: What is the minimum order for a custom GN pan set?
Most manufacturers require MOQ 100 pieces per SKU for standard catalog items. For fully custom sets (custom depth, finish, logo, or packaging), MOQ is typically 500+ pieces. Some manufacturers offer mixed-SKU MOQ — for example, 100 total pieces across multiple sizes.
Q: Should I include perforated GN pans in my set?
If your operation uses steam cooking, blanching, or draining, yes. Perforated pans are essential for combi ovens and steam tables. A typical addition is 2–4 perforated GN 1/1 pans in 65 mm depth.
Najor Custom GN Pan Sets — MOQ 100
Najor Cookware (KongTai Stainless Steel Group) manufactures GN pans in all standard sizes and depths. We build custom sets configured to your kitchen type and menu requirements.
Material: SUS304 (18/8) — every batch verified by Mill Test Certificate
Sizes: Full range — GN 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/9, 2/1, 2/3
Depths: 20 / 40 / 65 / 100 / 150 / 200 mm
Lids: Solid, slotted, hinged — all sizes
Finish: Mirror polish, satin brush, matte
Customization: Logo engraving, custom depth, PVD color, retail packaging
Certifications: FDA, LFGB, DGCCRF, CE, ISO 9001
MOQ: 100 pcs (standard sets) / 500 pcs (custom configuration)
Lead time: Sample 7 days / Production 25–30 workdays
Contact: sales@najorcookware.com | www.najorcookware.com