Five different names are given to the same kind of container in catering distribution, and only GN carrier says anything about size, because the tray standard sets the internal dimensions.
GN sizes. GN is the Gastronorm tray family widely used in European kitchens. The base tray is GN 1/1, measuring 530 × 325 mm, and its size is set by the EN 631 standard. Other trays are fractions and multiples of that base. Standard depths are 20, 40, 65, 100, 150 and 200 mm.
| Tray | Size (mm) | Volume at 100 mm depth |
|---|---|---|
| GN 1/1 | 530 × 325 | 17.2 litres |
| GN 1/2 | 325 × 265 | 8.6 litres |
| GN 1/3 | 325 × 176 | 5.7 litres |
| GN 1/6 | 176 × 162 | 2.9 litres |
Volumes are calculated from the outer dimensions. The tray wall and corner radius reduce the inside, so usable volume is less than the table shows.
Does it fit the box?. The GEBHARDT Thermobox EPP has an inside size of 538 × 338 × 257 mm, an outside size of 600 × 400 × 320 mm and a volume of 46 litres. On paper a GN 1/1 tray with a 530 × 325 mm base fits that inside size, with 8 mm to spare in length and 13 mm in width. Two GN 1/2 trays side by side fit with the same clearance, since 265 + 265 = 530 mm.
Example, with a 100 mm deep GN 1/1 tray: it holds 17.2 litres, about a third of the box's 46 litres. At 200 mm depth the same tray holds 34.5 litres. So how much of the box is used is set by the tray size and depth, not by the litre figure.
There are two signs of a wrong choice. First, if the tray is taller than the 257 mm inside height, the lid will not close; a 200 mm tray leaves only 57 mm of that height. Second, if the tray is too small for the box, it slides in transit, and the same empty space is carried on every trip.
Hot and cold
The same box serves hot and cold work, because insulation works in both directions. The EPP box withstands -30 °C to +80 °C. It does not heat; it only slows the flow of heat. For cold work the eutectic plate sets the temperature: melting points are -3, -14, -18 and -21 °C, and the -14 and -18 °C plates come only in the 480 × 280 mm body. The plate is chosen to suit the goods.
For hot food, what extends the time is a pre-heated container and a full load, not the box alone.
Four lines for a quote
When you ask for a quote, write these four lines and the quotes will describe the same product:
- Which GN size and depth, and how many trays
- How many hours the food stays in the box
- The temperature range to hold
- How many stops, and how many times the lid will be opened
