How to Choose a Food Pan Carrier

Purchasing Considerations for Food Pan Carriers

In addition to the type of carrier you need, it is important to consider other features of the carrier, such as the size, weight, and loading style, that will best suit your needs.

• Temperature Retention - Measured in hours, temperature retention is how long food will remain within safe serving temperatures after being placed into the carrier. Pay attention to whether this retention rate relies on other accessories, like cold or hot packs, and if the retention rate varies between hot and cold foods. You will see carriers range from a retention rate of 1 or 2 hours to 8 hours.
• Number of Compartments - Having more than one compartment in a carrier allows you to hold food at different temperatures. Many are designed with one compartment for hot food and one for cold. However, single compartment carriers provide a compact solution for smaller businesses or events.
• Pan Configuration - Carriers are designed to hold food pans, so paying attention to which sizes of food pans and how many of each a carrier can hold is imperative. Most will hold full size pans, but many are specifically designed to also hold smaller sized pans. Likewise, carriers also vary on how deep these pans can be.
• Loading Style - You have the option of getting a carrier that is either top loading or end loading. Top loading means that the lid is at the top, so you will have to drop food pans straight down into the container. End or front loading, on the other hand, has a vertical door so you can slide your food pans into the container. While end loading carriers can be easier to access, their doors and hinges bear more wear and tear than top loading units and may require more maintenance.
• Weight - Keep in mind that while your strong employees can lift a heavy carrier, that weight is drastically increased when filled with pans of food. One solution is carriers that have multiple handles on different sides of the unit. This allows 2 or more employees to work together to carry a full food pan carrier. Or, look at the cloth bags that naturally weigh very little. If you are looking for the durability of a solid carrier with the weight of a cloth one, try out carriers made of EPP.
• Gaskets - Gaskets are the pieces of material that sit between the door and the carrier when closed, and they are designed to provide extra insulation here. However, there are also gasket-free carriers that use a combination of material and design to ensure that when the door on the carrier closes, there is naturally a tight seal that prevents temperature loss.
• Stackability - For smaller units or units with a single compartment, it is very helpful if these units are also stackable. This will cut down on storage when you aren't using them, and it will also help while transporting the units as you can stack several together to get the benefits of multi-compartment carriers with all the convenience of single compartment carriers.
• Security Features - When working in an institutional facility, having a special security package may be necessary. Some packages provide lockable doors so no one else can access your food. You can also find security packages that prevent the unit itself from being tampered with, so no one can remove the casters, cords, or any other piece of the unit to create weapons or otherwise cause harm.