8 SKUs · From $18.71 – $56.38 per case
· Freight quoted separately
Aluminum Pans for Catering and Steam-Table Service
Aluminum pans are the foodservice workhorse for catering, steam-table holding, oven baking, and high-volume takeout. The two specs that matter most: size (full, half, quarter, oblong, round) and gauge (wall thickness in grams per square inch). Pair every pan with the matching size lid for transport and holding.
Size-to-headcount quick reference
Pan size
Approximate dimensions
Feeds (entrée + 2 sides)
Full size (steam table)
20-13/16” × 12-13/16” × 2-9/16” deep
24–30 people
Half size
12-3/4” × 10-3/8” × 2-1/2” deep
12–15 people
Quarter size
6-1/2” × 10-3/8” × 2-1/2” deep
6–8 people
7” round
7” diameter
Single-meal (1–2 people)
9” round
9” diameter
Family meal (3–4 people)
Gauge-to-application reference
Gauge
Typical use
Notes
7g–9g (light)
Cold catering, single-serve
Easily dents during transit
13g–14g (medium-heavy)
Steam table, hot catering, oven hold
Industry workhorse — most pans are this weight
33g+ (extra heavy)
Oven baking, dense food, premium catering
Highest cost; structural rigidity
Specifications at a glance
Property
Aluminum pans
Material
Aluminum foil
Temperature range
-40°F to ~500°F (oven safe)
Microwave safe
No (no metal in microwaves)
Freezer safe
Yes
Oven safe
Yes
Recyclable
Yes (when clean)
Compostable
No
Standard case packs
50, 100, 200, 500
Lid pairing
Foil-laminated board lid, plastic dome lid, or combo
What's the difference between full size, half size, and quarter size pans?+
Full size is 20-13/16" × 12-13/16" — fits the standard steam table opening. Half size is half that footprint. Quarter is half of half. Standard catering uses 1 full pan to feed ~25 people, 1 half pan for ~12 people, 1 quarter pan for ~6 people, depending on the entrée. Always order matching lids in the same gauge.
What do gauges mean for aluminum foil pans?+
Gauge refers to wall thickness. 7g–8g is standard duty (lightweight, mostly for cold/room-temp food). 13g–14g is heavy duty (for hot food and steam table service). 28g–34g+ is extra heavy duty (for oven baking at higher temperatures with structural rigidity). Heavier gauges resist denting during transit but cost more per pan.
Can aluminum pans go from oven to steam table?+
Yes — that's the whole point of the heavy-duty gauge. A 13g+ full-size pan can bake in a 400°F oven and transfer directly into a steam well at 140°F+ holding temperature. The aluminum heats and cools quickly, so the pan reaches serving temp fast.
Are aluminum pans recyclable?+
Yes. Aluminum is the most recyclable mass-market food packaging material — 100% recyclable indefinitely, no quality loss between cycles. The "rinse before recycling" rule applies: food residue contaminates the recycling stream. Most US municipal programs accept clean foil pans curbside.
What are the Section 301 tariffs on aluminum pans from China?+
Aluminum foil pans (HTS 7612.90.10) carry a 25% Section 301 tariff plus AD/CVD duties that can exceed 100%. The combined effective rate has been over 130% on China-origin imports through 2026. Most US distributors now source from Turkey, Vietnam, or domestic manufacturers — see our tariff dashboard on the homepage for the live HTS schedule.
Do I need a separate lid?+
For steam-table service, the pan and lid are sold separately. Foil-laminated board lids (lightweight, sealable) are the most common pairing for catering transport. Combo pan-and-lid sets are also stocked — useful for delivery operators who don't want to stage two SKUs.