The GN 1/1 (530 x 325 mm) accounts for over 60% of all gastronorm pan orders in commercial foodservice, according to industry procurement data. Every steam table, blast chiller, and combi oven on the market is designed around this single footprint.
Who this page is for: Foodservice equipment distributors, hotel and restaurant procurement managers, and OEM buyers sourcing GN 1/1 pans in bulk for steam tables, blast chillers, combi ovens, and bain-maries.
1. GN 1/1 Specifications: The Standard Full-Size Pan
The GN 1/1 size is defined by the European standard EN 631. It serves as the baseline from which all fractional GN sizes (1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/9) are derived.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| GN Designation | 1/1 (Full Size) |
| External Dimensions | 530 x 325 mm (20.9 x 12.8 in) |
| Standard (EN 631) | EN 631-1 / EN 631-2 |
| Available Depths | 20 / 40 / 65 / 100 / 150 / 200 mm |
| Corner Radius | Standard or reinforced (anti-jam) |
| Edge Profile | Rolled rim or stacking lugs |
The US hotel pan equivalent is the "full size" pan at 20.88 x 12.75 inches. While the two are functionally interchangeable in most equipment, the GN 1/1 follows metric tolerances defined by EN 631, which is the global standard outside North America.
2. Volume Capacity by Depth
Depth selection determines holding capacity, which directly impacts portioning and equipment compatibility. The table below lists usable volume for each standard depth.
| Depth (mm) | Depth (in) | Volume (L) | Volume (Qt) | Typical Use |
|---|
| 20 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 2.6 | Flat display, cold cuts, sushi |
| 40 | 1.6 | 5.1 | 5.4 | Salad bars, sandwich prep |
| 65 | 2.6 | 9.0 | 9.5 | Buffet service, steam tables |
| 100 | 4.0 | 14.0 | 14.8 | Soups, stews, bulk cooking |
| 150 | 5.9 | 20.0 | 21.1 | Batch cooking, marination |
| 200 | 7.9 | 28.0 | 29.6 | Bulk storage, blast chilling |
Procurement note: The 65 mm and 100 mm depths represent roughly 75% of all GN 1/1 orders. Stock these two depths first if building a new kitchen inventory.
3. Material Options: SUS304 vs SUS201
The two stainless steel grades used in GN pan manufacturing each serve different operational and budget requirements.
| Property | SUS304 (18/8) | SUS201 |
|---|
| Chromium Content | 18% | 16% |
| Nickel Content | 8% | 1–3.5% |
| Corrosion Resistance | High (salt spray 500+ hrs) | Moderate (salt spray 200 hrs) |
| Food Safety Certification | FDA / CE / LFGB / DGCCRF | FDA / CE |
| Standard Thickness | 0.7 mm / 0.8 mm / 1.0 mm | 0.5 mm / 0.6 mm / 0.7 mm |
| Weight (65 mm depth) | ~1.15 kg (0.8 mm) | ~0.85 kg (0.6 mm) |
| Temperature Tolerance | -40 to 300 C | -40 to 250 C |
| Unit Cost Index | 1.0x (baseline) | 0.65–0.70x |
| Best For | Hotels, hospitals, airlines, export markets | High-turnover cafeterias, budget projects |
Thickness impact on durability: A 0.8 mm SUS304 pan withstands 5,000+ commercial dishwasher cycles without deformation. At 0.5 mm (SUS201), expect visible warping after 1,500–2,000 cycles under high-heat wash programs.
4. Surface Finish and Customization
GN 1/1 pans can be customized at the manufacturing stage. The following options are available on Najor production lines.
| Customization | Options | MOQ |
|---|
| Surface Finish | Mirror polish, satin (#4), bead blast, brushed | 1,000 pcs |
| PVD Color Coating | Gold, rose gold, black, bronze, copper | 2,000 pcs |
| Logo Marking | Laser engraving, silk screen, etching | 500 pcs |
| Edge Profile | Standard rolled rim, anti-jam corners, stacking lugs | 5,000 pcs |
| Perforated Bottom | 2 mm or 3 mm hole pattern for steaming | 1,000 pcs |
| Custom Depth | Any depth between 20–200 mm (requires tooling) | 5,000 pcs |
Anti-jam corners reduce the contact area between stacked pans, making separation faster during busy service. This feature adds approximately $0.08–0.12 per unit at volumes above 5,000 pieces.
5. Applications Across Commercial Kitchens
The GN 1/1 pan interfaces with nearly every category of commercial kitchen equipment. Below is a compatibility matrix by application.
| Application | Recommended Depth | Material | Key Requirement |
|---|
| Steam Table / Bain-Marie | 65 mm or 100 mm | SUS304 | Corrosion resistance from prolonged water contact |
| Combi Oven | 40 mm or 65 mm | SUS304 (0.8 mm+) | Heat tolerance to 300 C, warp resistance |
| Blast Chiller | 65 mm or 100 mm | SUS304 | Rapid thermal conductivity, -40 C rating |
| Buffet Display | 40 mm or 65 mm | SUS304 or SUS201 | Visual finish (mirror or PVD coating) |
| Cold Storage / Walk-in | 150 mm or 200 mm | SUS304 or SUS201 | Stackability, lid seal compatibility |
| Steaming (Perforated) | 65 mm | SUS304 | Food-grade perforation, even drainage |
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a GN 1/1 pan and a full-size hotel pan?
A: Both measure approximately 530 x 325 mm (20.9 x 12.8 in). The GN 1/1 follows the European EN 631 standard with metric tolerances, while "hotel pan" is the North American term using imperial measurements. They fit the same equipment slots.
Q: Which thickness should I specify for combi oven use?
A: Minimum 0.8 mm SUS304. Thinner gauges warp under repeated 250–300 C thermal cycling in combi ovens. For operations running 10+ oven cycles per day, 1.0 mm provides measurably longer service life.
Q: Can I order GN 1/1 pans with a non-standard depth?
A: Yes. Custom depths between 20 mm and 200 mm are available with tooling investment. MOQ is typically 5,000 pieces. Lead time includes 55 days for mold development plus 25–30 days for production.
Q: What is the MOQ for OEM orders with logo engraving?
A: 500 pieces for laser engraving. Silk screen and chemical etching start at 1,000 pieces. Sample lead time is 7 days; production lead time is 25–30 days after sample approval.
Q: Do Najor GN pans comply with EU and US food safety standards?
A: SUS304 pans carry CE, FDA, LFGB, and DGCCRF certifications. SUS201 pans carry CE and FDA certifications. Test reports are provided with every shipment.
Najor Cookware
GN pan manufacturer since 1992 OEM/ODM for 30+ countries