Full Size Pans

The full hotel pans on our site are available in either stainless steel or polycarbonate materials. Each material has its benefits and downsides, so it is best to decide which attributes are most important to you and then make decisions from that point. Polycarbonate, or plastic for a less complex term, steam table pans are heat resistant up to fairly high temperatures and the plastic is much more heavy duty than a normal, everyday container. The biggest benefit to a polycarbonate pan is that it is completely dishwasher safe and can be scraped and scratched until the cows come home. There is no finish to be damaged, so there’s no worry. However, since there is no stainless finish, the pans are susceptible to food stains and flavor or aroma transfer. Plastic pans can also crack over time and need to be discarded.

Stainless steel pans add a level of durability and rigidity that polycarbonate pans do not have. The stainless finish protects the pan from rust and flavor transfers from other foods that have been used in the past. The pans can stand up to much more uses over time and will not ship or crack, though it can be dented. The biggest trade off that needs to be made for stainless steel quality is that the pans are not dishwasher material. The pans are best hand washed in warm, soapy water with a soft cloth or sponge. The pans are then to be hands dried. Never use steel wool on stainless steel as it will damage the finish and make the metal vulnerable to rust.