Welcome to the Yutwin Aluminum Foil blog—your single source of truth for everything “Half Tray Size.” Whether you run a bustling ghost kitchen, a weekend catering crew, or love the smell of lasagna bubbling in a home oven, you’ve landed here because you asked a straightforward question: Why is the 9 “×13” pan everyone calls “half tray size” the secret weapon of modern food service? At Yutwin, we’ve spent the last 15 years perfecting that exact spec—down to the last millimetre of rim curl—so let us walk you through the story.

“Half Tray Size” is not marketing fluff; it’s the culinary world’s universal adapter. Born in the stainless-steel steam-table era, the Half Tray Size footprint (320 mm × 260 mm) was engineered to drop straight into hotel buffet lines, yet slide effortlessly onto the wire rack of a domestic oven. When we launched our first food-grade 45 g/m² foil version, we discovered that this single dimension unlocked a rare trifecta: faster heat transfer, lower material cost, and zero cross-contamination headaches. Today, our plants in Shenzhen and Ontario operate 24/7, producing Half Tray Size pans that travel seamlessly from oven to Uber Eats bag to recycling bin in one continuous cycle.

But we’re not just selling metal; we’re selling time, consistency, and sustainability—three commodities every chef is short on. Our newest Half Tray Size line features 30% post-consumer recycled aluminum, laser-etched with the “100 % Recyclable” QR code mandated by 2025 EPR laws in both the EU and California. The micro-embossed sidewalls shave 18 % off raw material weight while increasing vertical strength, so your enchiladas never collapse en route. And because we know presentation drives repeat orders, we offer full-colour, food-safe lithographic printing directly on the rim—perfect for ghost kitchens building brand recall without adding plastic labels.

So if you’ve ever wondered why recipe developers, airline caterers, and meal-prep influencers all default to Half Tray Size, stay with us. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly which depth—40 mm for brownies, 60 mm for shepherd’s pie—maximizes yield per kilo of foil, how to spec a custom embossed logo without hitting a 100 k MOQ, and why switching from full-size to half-size can cut your cold-chain freight bill by nearly one third. Let’s turn that humble rectangle into your competitive edge.

What Does “Half Tray Size” Mean for Aluminum Foil Pans?

The term “Half Tray Size” isn’t just about a pan being “half the size”; it’s a standard specification term in the American food service industry. It originates from a system of full, half, and quarter-size “Steam Table Pans“ initially used by hotels, buffets, and caterers to hold hot food. Disposable aluminum foil products later adopted these specifications.

A “Half Tray Size aluminum pan“ refers to a disposable aluminum pan that adheres to the “Half-Size Steam Table Pan“ specification commonly used in the catering industry. Its size is exactly half of a standard full-size pan, fitting perfectly into hotel and restaurant steam tables and warming stations. It’s also convenient for home ovens, as the 9×13-inch pan fits directly into most household ovens.

Here’s a summary of the “Half Tray Size aluminum pans“ currently available on the market from Yutwin Aluminum Foil, for your quick comparison and selection:

• Restaurant Disposable Half Tray Size Aluminum Pan
  • Capacity/Specification: Standard Half Tray Size (approx. 9 “x13”)
  • Features: Disposable, eco-friendly aluminum foil material; we offer custom logo and packaging options, with a minimum order quantity of 1,000,000 units.
  • Applicable Scenarios: Catering chains, banquets, takeout, and other large-volume needs.
• 1800 ml Half Tray Size Deep Aluminum Pan
  • Capacity: 1800 ml, deep pan design
  • Features: Suitable for steam tables; you can bake, heat, and cook with it; we offer custom logo options with a minimum order quantity of 100,000 units.
  • Applicable Scenarios: Canteens, fast-food restaurants, and catering delivery services.
• Toronto In-Stock Half Tray Size Aluminum Pan
  • Purchase Channel: Kitchen Treasure Supplies (Canada)
  • Features: Retail small packaging; we support returns and exchanges within 3 days.
  • Applicable Scenarios: Households, small catering businesses, and local delivery in North America.
• eBay 9×13 Inch Disposable Half Tray Size Aluminum Pan (Lid Optional)
  • Specification: 9 “x13”, optional aluminum lid available.
  • Price Range: Approximately $45–$60 per case (includes shipping).
  • Applicable Scenarios: Family gatherings, takeout, and baking enthusiasts.

    

Purchasing Advice:

• For large-volume purchases, we recommend prioritizing our 1800ml deep pan model or the restaurant model available on Alibaba. We can discuss customization for large quantities.
• For small-volume or home use: The eBay model with an optional lid or the Toronto in-stock option offers more flexibility, without high minimum order quantities.

Pros and Cons of Half Tray Size Aluminum Pans

Here’s a quick overview of the main advantages and disadvantages of Half Tray Size aluminum pans (approx. 9 “x13“ / 32 cm x 26 cm):

Pros:

• Extremely Fast and Even Heat Conduction: Aluminum has a high thermal conductivity, heats up quickly, and ensures food cooks uniformly, making it ideal for quick stir-fries or baked dishes.
• Lightweight and Easy to Handle: An aluminum pan of the same size weighs only about one-third of a cast iron pan, making it easier to lift, carry, and clean.
• Affordable: Whether for disposable household aluminum foil pans or reusable aluminum alloy trays, the cost is lower than stainless steel or cast iron options.
• Rust-Proof and No “Seasoning“ Required: A natural oxide film or anodic oxidation treatment on the surface prevents rust in the short term, simplifying maintenance.
• Versatile Application: The size fits perfectly into home ovens and can go directly into steam tables and takeout boxes, allowing for a seamless “bake-pack-deliver“ process.

  

Cons:

• Limited Durability: The body is relatively soft, making it prone to dents from bumps and deformation of rolled edges. Coated versions typically show coating peeling within 6-12 months.
• Weak Corrosion Resistance: Prolonged contact with acidic or alkaline ingredients (e.g., tomato sauce, lemon juice, vinegar) accelerates corrosion and can even lead to slight migration of aluminum ions.
• Poor Heat Retention: Food cools down quickly after leaving the heat. Baked dishes often require a warming cover at the table to stay hot.
• Health Concerns: While scientific consensus is still evolving, long-term excessive aluminum intake may have potential effects on the nervous system and bone metabolism. We advise against storing acidic foods for prolonged periods in these pans.
• Not Suitable for Induction Cooktops: Pure aluminum is non-magnetic and requires an additional stainless steel composite bottom to work on induction cooktops.

  

In summary, “Half Tray Size aluminum pans“ excel in being lightweight, fast, and affordable, making them suitable for home baking, takeout portioning, and short-term banquets. If you need long-term durability, acid/alkali resistance, or induction cooktop compatibility, opt for stainless steel or cast iron materials.

2025 Trends for Half Tray Size Aluminum Pans

The keywords for Half Tray Size aluminum pans in 2025 are “small volume, large capacity, recyclable, multi-scenario.“ Combining the latest supply-side dynamics, we can identify four significant trends:

• “Home Use“ Especificações: Next year’s mainstream mass-produced size will be 9 “x13“ (approx. 330 x 230 mm) deep pans with a capacity of 2,000 ml, specifically designed for home ovens and single-serving takeout meals.
  • 40 mm shallow pans will target baking, while 60 mm deep pans will focus on baked rice/stews, forming a “high-low configuration“ matrix.
• Thinner Material, Undiminished Strength: Mainstream aluminum foil grammage will decrease from 55 g/m² to 45 g/m², but we maintain rigidity through micro-embossing and rolled edge processes. Single-pan aluminum consumption will decrease by 18%, directly offsetting the increase in raw material costs for 2025.
• Closed-Loop Recycling: Leading factories have already incorporated 30% or more recycled aluminum into food-grade alloys and laser-engraved “100% Recyclable“ labels on the pan body, meeting new European and American EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) regulations for 2025.
• “Cross-Boundary“ Scenarios:
  • E-commerce Retail: Small carton specifications of 10-20 pans per box, with easy-tear PET lids, primarily targeting “camping + pre-made meal“ combo packs.
  • Catering Chains: Half Tray Size deep pans + paper sleeves will replace traditional plastic meal boxes, reducing packaging weight by 30%.

    

How Big is a Tamanho Aluminum Pan?

The common dimensions for a standard “Half Tray Size aluminum pan“ are as follows:

• Top outer rim: Approximately 320–324 mm × 260–265 mm (≈ 12 ⅝” × 10 ½”)
• Bottom inner diameter: Approximately 260 mm × 200 mm (≈ 10 ¼” × 8″)
• Height (common deep pan): Approximately 60 mm (≈ 2 ⅜”)
• Capacity: Approximately 2,100–3,000 ml (≈ 70–100 fl oz)

  

The 9 “x 13″ (approx. 228 mm x 330 mm) size is the most commonly used specification for home ovens, takeout packaging, and buffet steam tables, which we also refer to as “Half Tray Size.”

What are the Advantages of Half Tray Size Pans Compared to Full-Size Pans?

When comparing “Half Tray Size pans“ and “full-size pans,“ the advantages primarily lie in flexibility of use, heating efficiency, economy, and scenario matching. In short, they are: “smaller, faster, more economical, and more versatile.”

Flexibilidade:

• Fits Home Ovens: Full-size 20 “x12“ pans generally don’t fit into home ovens; Half Tray Size 12 “x10“ (or 13 “x9”) pans fit perfectly.
• Portioning/Multiple Flavors: You can cook two different dishes at once, with left and right partitions to prevent flavors from mixing; a full-size pan only allows for one large dish.

Heating Efficiency:

• Faster and More Even Heating: With half the surface area but the same wall thickness, heat transfer paths are shorter, increasing oven heating speed by 15-25%.
• Faster Cooling for Refrigeration/Freezing: When large quantities of pre-made meals enter cold storage, Half Tray Size pans cool down faster in the center, reducing the “bacterial window.”

Economy:

• Less Food Waste: For families or small catering businesses, a full-size pan often isn’t filled; a Half Tray Size pan is just right for one dish.
• Efficient Packaging and Transport: A cardboard box of the same volume can hold 30-50% more Half Tray Size pans, reducing logistics costs; aluminum foil usage also decreases by approximately 40%.

Scenario Matching:

• Takeout/Catering Portioning: You can send out single or double portions directly, eliminating the need for secondary cutting.
• Buffet/Steam Table: You can insert two Half Tray Size pans side-by-side versus one full-size pan, allowing for a richer display of dishes.
• Home Baking: Standard recipes for cake rolls, brownies, and lasagna are often designed for 9 “x 13″ pans, making the Half Tray Size pan a perfect fit.

Ready to leverage the Half Tray Size advantage for your business? At Yutwin Aluminum Foil, we don’t just manufacture pans—we engineer solutions around the Half Tray Size standard. From our Shenzhen R&D lab to our Toronto distribution hub, every coil we slit, every rim we curl, is optimized for the exact 320 mm × 260 mm footprint that global ovens, steam tables, and delivery bags already expect.

Do you need 10 million Half-Tray Size pans for a QSR rollout? Our high-speed lines can emboss your logo on both sidewalls, apply an easy-peel PET lid film rated to 220 °C, and deliver door-to-door in 21 days—backed by SGS-certified 30 % recycled content and a full LCA report to satisfy your ESG auditors. Only baking 200 trays of baklava for this weekend’s pop-up? Grab a 20-pack from our Amazon FBA store and still enjoy the same micro-embossed rigidity that keeps syrup from pooling in the corners.

Because we control the entire vertical—from recycled ingot to finished pan—we can guarantee price stability through 2025’s volatile aluminum market. Our Half Tray Size SKUs now include shallow (40 mm), deep (60 mm), extra-deep (75 mm), and even dual-compartment inserts so you can run tikka masala AND jasmine rice in the same footprint. And if you’re eyeing the booming “campfire gourmet“ segment, ask about our new Half Tray Size foil-to-ceramic hybrid: the aluminum base provides rapid boil. At the same time, the ceramic rim delivers Instagram-worthy table presentation.

So bookmark this guide, share it with your procurement team, and remember: every time you see “Half Tray Size“ on a spec sheet, you’re looking at decades of engineering distilled into one rectangle that fits the world’s ovens, delivery bags, and sustainability goals simultaneously.