Introduction

In every professional kitchen across the UAE—from Dubai Marina and Abu Dhabi Corniche to Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Al Ain—GN containers (Gastronorm pans) are the backbone of food preparation, storage, cooking, and buffet service. Whether you operate a high-end hotel kitchen, a cloud kitchen, a catering company, a restaurant, a café, or a bakery, GN pans streamline workflow, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.

Chefs rely on a wide range of GN containers supplied by trusted kitchenware suppliers UAE, horeca suppliers UAE, and premium brands such as Horeca Hut UAE, Prige kitchenware UAE, and Svea Gastro kitchen utensils.

This complete guide explains:
✔ What GN containers are
✔ All GN sizes (1/1, 1/2, 1/3… etc.)
✔ GN materials (stainless steel, polycarbonate, polypropylene)
✔ Professional uses in UAE restaurants
✔ How hotels and catering companies choose GN containers
✔ Storage, cleaning, and food safety tips
✔ Buying guide for UAE commercial kitchens

Let’s break it all down.

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What Are GN Containers? A Commercial Kitchen Essential

GN (Gastronorm) containers are standardized food pans designed for commercial kitchens. They are used for:

• storage
  
• preparation
  
• cooking
  
• transporting
  
• refrigerating
  
• freezing
  
• steaming
  
• buffet serving
  
• hot holding
  

They are compatible with:
✔ steamers
✔ ovens
✔ chillers
✔ hot cabinets
✔ bain-marie systems
✔ chafing dishes and buffet equipment UAE

That’s why every professional kitchen relies on them daily.

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Why GN Containers Are Essential in UAE Commercial Kitchens

1. Time Efficiency

GN containers reduce handling time and simplify workflow in busy environments like Dubai restaurants and Abu Dhabi hotels.

2. Food Safety & Hygiene

Durable materials withstand high temperatures, commercial washing, and UAE humidity.

3. Standardized Sizing

All pans fit perfectly into:

• steam tables
  
• prep counters
  
• refrigerators
  
• ovens
  
• buffet chafing stations
  

4. Perfect for Catering & Hotels

Catering companies in Ras Al Khaimah, hotels in Ajman, and banquet halls in Sharjah depend heavily on GN trays for large-volume serving.

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GN Container Sizes Explained (Complete Gastronorm Size Chart)

GN sizes are standardized internationally. Here’s the full breakdown:

Full Size — GN 1/1

Used for:

• buffets
  
• hotel hot cabinets
  
• large roasting
  
• steam table setups
  

Common depths: 20mm, 40mm, 65mm, 100mm, 150mm, 200mm.

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GN 1/2 Size

Perfect for food prep or smaller buffet sections.

Used for:

• pasta
  
• salads
  
• proteins
  
• sauces
  

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GN 1/3 Size

Used in:

• salad bars
  
• breakfast stations
  
• bakery toppings
  

Holds smaller portions.

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GN 1/4 Size

Used for ingredients and mise en place.

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GN 1/6 & GN 1/9

Perfect for:

• spices
  
• sauces
  
• toppings
  
• condiments
  

Widely used in cafés and bakeries alongside:

• coffee accessories Dubai
  
• barista tools UAE
  
• pastry tools and piping bags UAE
  

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GN Container Materials (Which One Should You Choose?)

There are three main materials used in UAE commercial kitchens.

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1. Stainless Steel GN Containers

Most durable → perfect for hotels & restaurants.

Advantages:

• heat resistant
  
• long-lasting
  
• scratch-resistant
  
• oven-safe
  
• compatible with steamers
  
• hygienic
  

Used in:

• hotel buffets
  
• grill restaurants
  
• catering companies
  
• cloud kitchens
  

Restaurants order them from:
✔ kitchenware suppliers in Dubai
✔ hospitality equipment suppliers UAE
✔ Horeca Hut UAE

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2. Polycarbonate GN Containers

Transparent and lightweight.

Ideal For:

• cold storage
  
• salad bars
  
• dessert stations
  
• mise en place
  
• bakery ingredients
  

Used alongside:

• mixing bowls and whisks UAE
  
• kitchen storage containers UAE
  

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3. Polypropylene GN Containers

Budget-friendly option for storage and transport.

Good For:

• cold foods
  
• dry storage
  
• delivery operations
  

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Professional Uses of GN Containers in UAE Kitchens

GN containers cover almost every category in a commercial kitchen.

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1. Food Preparation

Used during cutting, marinating, seasoning, measuring.

Paired with:

• cutting boards and chopping blocks UAE
  
• chef knives and utensils UAE
  
• thermometers and timers UAE
  

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2. Cooking & Baking

Stainless steel GN pans are oven- and steam-compatible.

Used for:

• roasting
  
• grilling
  
• steaming
  
• proofing dough
  

Works perfectly with:
✔ baking trays and molds UAE
✔ professional bakery tools UAE

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3. Storage & Refrigeration

GN pans fit directly into commercial fridges and freezers.

Used with:

• airtight lids
  
• cold prep counters
  
• saladette stations
  

Restaurants rely on:
✔ kitchen storage containers UAE
✔ canteen kitchen tools UAE

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4. Buffet Presentation

GN pans are the standard size for:

• chafing dishes and buffet equipment UAE
  
• hotel buffet lines
  
• banquets
  
• catering events
  

They pair with:

• stainless steel serving utensils UAE
  
• ** food display stands UAE**
  
• serving tongs and ladles UAE
  

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5. Transporting Food

Catering companies use GN pans inside thermal carriers.

Perfect for:

• Ras Al Khaimah catering
  
• Fujairah hotels
  
• Dubai corporate events
  

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GN Container Depths & Their Applications

Different depths serve different purposes.

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20mm (Shallow)

Used for:

• toppings
  
• garnishes
  
• spices
  

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40–65mm (Medium)

Used by cafés for:

• salad ingredients
  
• breakfast bowls
  

Linked to:
✔ coffee shop supplies UAE
✔ tea accessories and teapots UAE

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100–150mm (Deep)

Used for:

• proteins
  
• soups
  
• pasta
  
• curries
  

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200mm (Extra Deep)

Used for:

• bulk marination
  
• transport
  
• hotel banquets
  

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How UAE Restaurants Choose the Right GN Containers

Selection depends on five key factors.

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1. Type of Restaurant

Hotels → Stainless steel GN 1/1

Catering → Stainless steel + polypropylene

Cafés → 1/6 & 1/9 pans

Bakeries → Polycarbonate GN

Fine Dining → Premium stainless steel sets

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2. Menu Requirements

Steakhouse → deep pans
Catering → full-size pans
Bakery → shallow GN pans for toppings

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3. Durability Needs

Restaurants choose heavy-duty stainless steel pans for longevity.

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4. Budget Considerations

Affordable options available via:
✔ Prige kitchenware UAE
✔ buy kitchen accessories online UAE

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5. Supplier Reliability

Restaurants choose:

• trusted horeca equipment supplier UAE
  
• top horeca suppliers in UAE
  
• Horeca Hut UAE
  

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GN Containers in Different UAE Locations

Dubai

Hotels & restaurants use premium stainless steel GN pans.
Buy from: kitchenware suppliers in Dubai, restaurant supply shop Dubai

Abu Dhabi

Restaurants rely on durable GN containers.
Buy from: kitchen tools suppliers Abu Dhabi

Sharjah

Casual dining restaurants use mixed materials.
Buy from: restaurant supplies Sharjah

Ajman

Hotels use full GN systems.
Buy from: hotel kitchenware Ajman

Ras Al Khaimah

Catering companies rely on GN transport pans.
Buy from: catering supplies in Ras Al Khaimah

Fujairah

Hotels & resorts use stainless steel GN pans.
Buy from: horeca products Fujairah

Al Ain

Cafés & bakeries use polycarbonate GN pans.
Buy from: kitchen accessories in Al Ain

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Why Buy GN Containers from Horeca Hut UAE?

✔ Premium stainless steel GN pans

✔ Polycarbonate & polypropylene options

✔ Fast delivery across the UAE

✔ Bulk B2B pricing

✔ Trusted by hotels, restaurants & catering companies

✔ Compatible lids, trays & accessories

✔ Best value for durability

Horeca Hut also offers:

• professional kitchen tools Horeca Hut
  
• Horeca Hut catering supplies UAE
  
• Horeca Hut restaurant equipment
  

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Conclusion

GN containers are an essential part of any UAE commercial kitchen. From buffet lines and catering events to hotel kitchens and cloud kitchens, GN pans streamline workflow, reduce handling time, and improve food safety.

Whether you’re choosing stainless steel GN pans for cooking, polycarbonate GN pans for cold storage, or polypropylene pans for transport, the right supplier makes all the difference.

For the highest-quality GN containers, Horeca Hut UAE remains the most reliable and trusted provider.

FAQs — GN Containers UAE