PLATEAUX GASTRONORME

Gastronorm Tray Dimensions

Gastronorm is a dimensional standard, defined by the EN 631 standard. It sets the size of trays, and nothing else.

The basic format is GN 1/1: 530 × 325 mm. The other formats are divisions of this rectangle. The GN 1/2 measures 325 × 265 mm, while the GN 1/4 measures 265 × 162 mm. Professional kitchen equipment is designed around these dimensions, so the tray fits into your oven, blast chiller, trolley or display cabinet.

Pay attention to the height. The tray may slide into the trolley but then get stuck under the glass of a refrigerated display cabinet because its edges are higher than those of the previous model. The standard does not specify the height: measure it before ordering.

If your equipment does not impose any specific dimensions, Atlas trays follow a different sizing grid. Many supports do not follow any standard either: they can be found in trays and display stands.

Gastronorm Tray or Gastronorm Container

A gastronorm container is deep. It is used to store, cook, keep warm or transport food preparations, including liquids. A gastronorm tray is flat. It is designed for plating and presentation.

This category contains trays only. For food preparation, cooking or storage in professional kitchens, Comatec also offers gastronorm containers and kitchen equipment suited to professional applications.

The trays, meanwhile, leave the kitchen or laboratory filled with verrines, appetisers or petits fours, move into the display cabinet and are then placed on the buffet. To raise part of the buffet, you can use display stands, or wooden buffet display stands depending on the look you want to achieve.

Which Material for Which Use?

Trays Suitable for Oven and Cold Storage

You prepare the food the day before, store it in the refrigerator and reheat it in the morning. Two materials are suitable for this process.

Timmera is made from natural wood. It is suitable for freezing, oven use and microwave use. Komodo is made from white bagasse. It can be used in the oven and microwave. Other materials are intended for presentation only. A washable tray is not necessarily suitable for cooking: each product page specifies whether oven use is possible.

Washable and Reusable Trays

Textura is made from rigid black plastic, with a matt slate-effect finish on the base and edges. It can be washed at 60 °C. Karou is made from bamboo. It is resistant to moisture and can be cleaned with a cloth. Both are designed for repeated use and are part of the reusable range.

For presentation only, Caterlux is made from black cardboard with straight edges. Its scratch-resistant surface is suitable for food contact. Each material also has its own page, with other formats available: cardboard trays, wooden trays and bamboo trays.

Things to Check Before Ordering

There are four points to check before ordering:

• the available height of your equipment, including the tray edges;
• hot and cold temperature resistance if the tray is used in a blast chiller or oven;
• the permitted washing temperature if you collect and reuse the tray after service;
• the lid reference corresponding to the tray format.

Buy Your Gastronorm Trays from Comatec

Comatec has been designing and distributing food packaging since 1994, from its headquarters in Carcassonne. The country of manufacture, France or Europe, is indicated on each product page. Lids are referenced according to each format. Delivery is free for orders over €350 excl. VAT.