Calculate how much a steam table pan can hold based on your portion sizes. Just enter your portion sizes and the calculator will offer suggestions. It will also break down how much the pan will hold for different serving sizes. If you just need to know the capacity for a specific pan size, a handy chart is available for reference.
If you’re catering a large event or just hosting a large gathering, the calculator will help you determine how many aluminum foil food pans you need based on your input.
Steam table pans are used for buffets and banquets, catering, and pretty much any event where large quantities of food are involved. They are used for catering large quantities of food and make storage, refrigeration, transporting, reheating, and serving much more convenient.
Commercial hotel pans or steam table pans are typically made of stainless steel. Aluminum pans are an economical alternative to commercial pans; although they hold a comparable volume of food, they tend to be more lightweight and prone to bending.
Hotel Pan Volume
Steam table pan maximum volume amounts are usually listed by quarts. How much a table pan can hold is dependent on its size and depth.
Because portion serving sizes can vary depending on what is being served, you would need to divide the portion size (usually 4 or 6 ounces) into the quart capacity of the pan to determine what size best fits your needs.
You also need to consider the volume of your food. The amount a 4 ounce serving of mashed potatoes fills is not the same as the space needed for a 4 ounce chicken wing.
A general rule of thumb is that hotel pans should be filled to no more that 85% of their capacity.
How Many Servings Are In A Full Size Aluminum Pan
A full-sized 21″ x 13″ aluminum pan that is 3 inches deep holds approximately 10 quarts, which would be equal to 86 – 4 ounce servings or 57 – 6 ounce servings if filled to maximum capacity.
How Much Does A Full Size Hotel Steam Table Pan Hold?
A 20 3/4″ x 12 3/4″ full-sized hotel steam table pan that is 4 inches deep holds approximately 15 quarts. The number of servings in a full size steam table pan would be equal to approximately 120 – 4 ounce servings or 80 – 6 ounce servings if filled to maximum capacity.
Hotel Steam Table Pan Size Dimensions And Capacity Chart
| Steam Pan Size | Pan Length | Pan Width | Pan Depth | Pan Capacity (Quarts) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Size | 20 3/4″ | 12 3/4″ | 2 1/2″ | 9 |
| 21″ | 13″ | 3 3/8″ | 10.75 | |
| 4″ | 15 | |||
| 6″ | 22 | |||
| 8″ | 31.5 | |||
| 2/3 Size | 13 3/4″ | 12 3/4″ | 2 1/2″ | 6 |
| 4″ | 10 | |||
| 6″ | 14.25 | |||
| 1/2 Size | 12 3/4″ | 10 3/8″ | 2 1/2″ | 4 |
| 4″ | 7 | |||
| 6″ | 10 | |||
| 8″ | 15 | |||
| 1/2 Size Long | 20 3/4″ | 6 7/16″ | 2 1/2″ | 4 |
| 4″ | 7 | |||
| 6″ | 10 | |||
| 8″ | 15 | |||
| 1/3 Size | 12 3/4″ | 6 7/8″ | 2 1/2″ | 2.63 |
| 4″ | 4.5 | |||
| 6″ | 6.5 | |||
| 1/4 Size | 10 3/8″ | 6 3/8″ | 2 1/2″ | 1.63 |
| 4″ | 3 | |||
| 6″ | 4.75 | |||
| 1/6 Size | 6 7/8″ | 6 1/4″ | 2 1/2″ | 1.25 |
| 4″ | 2 | |||
| 6″ | 3 | |||
| 1/8 Size | 6 5/16″ | 5 3/16″ | 2 1/2″ | 0.7 |
| 4″ | 1.1 | |||
| 6″ | 1.5 | |||
| 1/9 Size | 6 3/4″ | 4 1/4″ | 2 1/2″ | 0.63 |
| 4″ | 1.25 |
