Essential Commercial Pans for Your UK Kitchen: A Comprehensive Guide

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January 5, 2026

On January 3, 2026

Right then, let’s talk about kitting out your kitchen for the hustle and bustle of a busy UK food business. Getting the right commercial pans isn’t just about having pots and pans; it’s about having the right tools for the job that’ll make your life easier and your food taste better. We’ll go through what you actually need, so you don’t end up with a load of stuff you’ll never use.

Key Takeaways

When choosing commercial pans, think about what kind of food you’re making and how much you’ll be cooking.
Different pan materials like stainless steel, copper, and aluminium have their own pros and cons for heat and durability.
Griddles are brilliant for getting that perfect sear on burgers and bacon, while bain maries are a lifesaver for keeping your sauces and stews piping hot and ready to serve.

Essential Commercial Pans For Every Kitchen

Right then, let’s talk about kitting out your mobile catering setup with the pans you’ll actually need. It’s not just about having any pans, but the right ones that’ll make your life easier and your food taste better. Think of them as your trusty sidekicks on the road.

Understanding Your Kitchen’s Needs

Before you go buying the fanciest cookware out there, have a good think about what you’ll be cooking. Are you serving up quick breakfasts with eggs and bacon? Or maybe slow-cooked stews for a chilly evening event? The type of food you serve is the biggest clue to what pans you’ll need.

What’s on the menu? A burger van needs different gear than a curry house on wheels.
How busy will you be? If you’re expecting long queues, you’ll need pans that can handle constant use and heat up quickly.
What’s your power source? Most mobile catering relies on LPG, so make sure your pans are compatible.

Material Matters: Comparing Cookware Materials

The stuff your pans are made of makes a big difference. It affects how they cook, how long they last, and how easy they are to clean after a long day.

Stainless Steel: This is a real workhorse. It’s tough, doesn’t rust, and won’t make your food taste funny. It’s a bit slower to heat up than some other materials, but it’s generally a safe bet for most things.
Cast Iron: Brilliant for holding heat, which is great for searing steaks or getting a good crust on things. However, they’re heavy and need a bit of looking after to stop them from rusting.
Aluminium: Lighter and heats up fast, which sounds good. But it can scratch easily and sometimes react with acidic foods, giving them a funny taste. Anodised aluminium is a bit tougher and less reactive.

For mobile catering, durability and ease of cleaning are usually top priorities. So, while fancy copper pans might look nice, they’re probably not the most practical choice for life on the road.

Key Commercial Pans For Versatile Cooking

Right then, let’s talk about the workhorses of your mobile catering setup. Having the right pans isn’t just about having stuff to cook in; it’s about making your life easier and your food taste better, especially when you’re on the move. We’re looking at gear that can handle the pressure of a busy service, whether you’re at a festival or a private event.

Griddles For Perfect Searing

If you’re serving up burgers, bacon, eggs, or even just caramelised onions, a good griddle is your best mate. These flat-top wonders give you a massive surface area to cook on, meaning you can get a lot done at once. They’re brilliant for getting that lovely, even sear on meats and cooking things like pancakes or fried breakfasts without a fuss.

Even Heat Distribution: Look for griddles with thick steel plates, like a 12mm machined steel one. This means the heat spreads out nicely, so you don’t get hot spots where food burns and cold spots where it doesn’t cook properly. A good example is the Lincat Silverlink 600 GS4/P.
Temperature Control: Being able to dial in the exact temperature is key. Adjustable thermostats or independent cooking zones let you manage different items at once – maybe sear some burgers on one side while gently warming some buns on the other.
Easy Cleaning: A built-in fat collection drawer or a grease trap is a lifesaver. It means you can quickly clear away waste during service and give it a proper clean later without too much hassle. Many are made from stainless steel, which is always a good sign for durability and cleaning.
Gas or Electric: For mobile catering, LPG gas griddles are super popular because they’re powerful and don’t rely on a power source. Brands like Parry offer robust LPG options, such as the PGF1000G, which is nearly a meter wide and great for high-volume cooking.

Bain Maries For Keeping Food Warm

Once your food is cooked, you need to keep it at the right temperature until it’s served. That’s where a bain marie comes in. It’s basically a water bath that gently heats your food, stopping it from drying out or burning. Perfect for sauces, curries, soups, or anything that needs to be held hot for a while.

Wet Heat System: This is the standard for bain maries. You fill the bottom section with water, and the heat from the water gently warms the food in the gastronorm pans above. This keeps food moist and at a consistent serving temperature.
Gastronorm Pans: Most bain maries use standard gastronorm (GN) pans. You can get them in different sizes (like GN 1/3 or GN 1/4) and depths, so you can configure your bain marie to hold exactly what you need. A 4-pot LPG bain marie with GN 1/4 pans is a common and practical setup for mobile caterers.
Portability and Power: For mobile setups, LPG bain maries are ideal. They’re designed to be compact and easy to transport. Look for features like piezo ignition for easy starting and a flame failure device for safety. Units like the LPG 4 Pot Bain Marie with a drainage tap are designed with ease of use and cleaning in mind, making them a solid choice for life on the road.
Durability: Stainless steel construction is pretty much standard, and for good reason. It’s tough, easy to wipe down, and won’t rust, which is important when you’re dealing with water and food.

Having these two types of pans in your arsenal will make a huge difference to your efficiency and the quality of the food you serve. They’re not just pans; they’re key pieces of equipment that help your business run smoothly. For a versatile addition to your everyday cooking, consider a durable nonstick pan for smaller tasks.

Discover a range of top-notch cooking pans perfect for any kitchen task. From quick weeknight meals to fancy dinner parties, these versatile pans make cooking a breeze. Ready to upgrade your kitchen? Visit our website today to explore the full collection and find the perfect pan for your needs!

So, What’s Next?

Right then, we’ve had a good look at some of the key bits of kit you’ll want in your commercial kitchen, especially if you’re working in the UK. From sturdy hobs that can handle a rush to griddles that cook up a storm, and those all-important sinks for keeping things clean. It’s not just about having the gear, though; it’s about picking the right stuff that’ll stand up to the job and make your life a bit easier. Think about what you’re cooking, how much of it, and where you’ll be doing it. Getting these pans and bits of equipment sorted is a big step towards running a smoother, happier kitchen. Happy cooking!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most important thing to think about when picking pans for my food business?

Honestly, it’s all about what you’re cooking and how much of it! Think about the type of grub you’ll be serving and how many hungry customers you’ll have each day. This will help you figure out which pans are absolute must-haves for your kitchen. For example, if you’re doing loads of burgers, a good griddle is key, and if you’re serving up hot soups all day, a bain marie is your best mate.

Are there any pans that are super versatile and good for lots of different dishes?

Definitely! A sturdy griddle is a real workhorse. You can cook up everything from a full English breakfast with bacon and eggs to burgers, onions, and even some veggies. They heat up quickly and give a lovely sear to your food. Plus, many have both flat and ribbed sides, so you can get creative with your cooking.

I’m running a mobile catering van, what pans are best for keeping food ready to serve?

For keeping food warm and ready to go, a bain marie is your absolute go-to. These are brilliant for things like sauces, curries, or chilli. They use a water bath to gently heat your food, so it doesn’t dry out or burn. You can get them with different numbers of pots, so you can pick one that fits your needs and your van’s space perfectly. They’re usually made of stainless steel, which is tough and easy to clean, perfect for life on the road!