GN 1/1 vs GN 2/1 vs 60 × 40 cm Tray Trolleys: Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing the right trolley size is important for any commercial kitchen. A trolley that matches your trays and containers can improve workflow, reduce handling time, and make storage easier.
The three common formats are GN 1/1, GN 2/1, and 60 × 40 cm bakery trays. Although they may look similar, they are designed for different kitchen systems.
This guide explains the differences and helps you choose the right stainless steel trolley for your restaurant, hotel, catering kitchen, bakery, or food production facility.
Quick Comparison: GN 1/1 vs GN 2/1 vs 60 × 40 cm
| Trolley Type | Tray / Container Size | Typical Application | Main Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| GN 1/1 Trolley | 530 × 325 mm | Restaurants, hotels, catering and commercial kitchens | Compact and highly versatile |
| GN 2/1 Trolley | 650 × 530 mm | Large kitchens, central kitchens and high-volume food production | Larger capacity per level |
| 60 × 40 cm Tray Trolley | 600 × 400 mm | Bakery, pastry and confectionery operations | Designed for bakery trays |
The GN 1/1 and GN 2/1 formats belong to the Gastronorm system. Standard GN 1/1 measures approximately 530 × 325 mm, while GN 2/1 measures approximately 650 × 530 mm. Bakery Standard trays use a different 400 × 600 mm format.
What Is a GN 1/1 Trolley?
A GN 1/1 trolley is designed to hold GN 1/1 containers, trays, grids, and other compatible accessories.
The GN 1/1 format measures approximately 530 × 325 mm. It is one of the most common formats used in professional kitchens and is supported by a wide range of cooking, storage, refrigeration, and transport equipment.
Because of its relatively compact footprint, a GN 1/1 trolley is a practical choice when kitchen space is limited.
When Should You Choose GN 1/1?
- Restaurants and cafés
- Hotel kitchens
- Catering operations
- Commercial kitchens with limited space
- Food preparation and storage areas
- Kitchens using GN 1/1 containers and trays
For a compact solution, see the ALFA GN Service Trolley 1/1.
What Is a GN 2/1 Trolley?
A GN 2/1 trolley is designed for the larger GN 2/1 format. A GN 2/1 tray measures approximately 650 × 530 mm. This gives each level a much larger working area than GN 1/1.
GN 2/1 is particularly useful in high-volume kitchens where larger trays or containers are handled regularly.
When Should You Choose GN 2/1?
- Large hotel kitchens
- Central production kitchens
- Large catering operations
- Banquet food production
- High-volume food preparation
- Facilities using GN 2/1 containers or trays
ALFA offers a Gastronorm Trolley for 36 × GN, designed for high-capacity GN storage and transport.
What Is a 60 × 40 cm Bakery Tray Trolley?
A 60 × 40 cm bakery trolley is designed around the bakery standard tray format. The tray size is approximately 600 × 400 mm.
This format is different from the Gastronorm system. Commercial cooking equipment manufacturers list 400 × 600 mm as a separate Bakery Standard format alongside GN 1/1 and GN 2/1.
For this reason, you should not assume that a GN trolley will accept 60 × 40 cm bakery trays. The trolley must have the correct tray guides and internal dimensions.
When Should You Choose a 60 × 40 cm Trolley?
- Bakeries
- Pastry kitchens
- Cake production facilities
- Confectionery production
- Hotels with bakery departments
- Food production facilities using 60 × 40 cm trays
For bakery operations, see the ALFA Bakery Trolley 60 × 40 cm Tray.
GN 1/1 vs GN 2/1: What Is the Main Difference?
The main difference is the footprint of the tray or container.
| Feature | GN 1/1 | GN 2/1 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard size | 530 × 325 mm | 650 × 530 mm |
| Footprint | Smaller | Larger |
| Space requirement | Lower | Higher |
| Typical use | General commercial kitchens | High-volume operations |
| Capacity per level | Lower | Higher |
| Best choice when | Space and flexibility are priorities | Large-volume handling is required |
GN 2/1 provides a substantially larger tray footprint. However, bigger does not automatically mean better. The correct choice depends on the equipment, kitchen layout, tray format, and production volume.
GN Trolley vs 60 × 40 cm Bakery Trolley
The biggest difference is the tray system.
GN trolleys are designed around the Gastronorm standard. They are commonly used for food preparation, cooking, holding, storage, and transport.
60 × 40 cm bakery trolleys are designed for bakery and pastry trays. Their tray guides are positioned specifically for the 600 × 400 mm format.
Therefore, the correct trolley should always be selected based on the actual trays used in your kitchen.
How to Choose the Right Trolley
1. Check Your Tray Size
First, measure the trays or containers already used in your kitchen.
If you use 530 × 325 mm GN containers, choose a GN 1/1 trolley. your operation uses 650 × 530 mm GN 2/1 trays, choose a GN 2/1 trolley. If you use 600 × 400 mm bakery trays, choose a bakery trolley.
2. Check Your Oven and Equipment
Your trolley should match the tray format used by your ovens, blast chillers, refrigerators, and other equipment.
This is especially important in professional kitchens because using different tray standards can create unnecessary handling and storage problems.
3. Consider Kitchen Space
Measure the available space before ordering a trolley.
Do not check only the trolley width. Also consider doorways, corridors, turning areas, storage spaces, and the space needed for staff to move around the trolley.
4. Consider Production Volume
For smaller kitchens, GN 1/1 can provide a good balance between capacity and maneuverability.
large-volume production, GN 2/1 can reduce the number of trays that need to be moved because each level accommodates a larger format.
For bakeries and pastry production, a 60 × 40 cm trolley is usually the logical choice when the production line is based on bakery standard trays.
Which Trolley Is Best for Your Business?
| Your Operation | Recommended Trolley |
|---|---|
| Restaurant or café | GN 1/1 |
| Hotel kitchen | GN 1/1 or GN 2/1 |
| Large catering kitchen | GN 2/1 |
| Central kitchen | GN 2/1 |
| Bakery | 60 × 40 cm |
| Pastry production | 60 × 40 cm |
| Confectionery production | 60 × 40 cm |
Why Stainless Steel Trolleys Are Used in Commercial Kitchens
Stainless steel is widely used for commercial kitchen equipment because it is durable, easy to clean, and suitable for demanding food-service environments.
A good trolley should also have suitable castors, a strong frame, stable tray guides, and a configuration that matches the expected load.
For busy kitchens, wheel quality is especially important. Swivel castors can improve maneuverability, while brakes can help keep the trolley stable during loading and unloading.
Compare ALFA Trolley Options
| Product | Format | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| GN Service Trolley 1/1 | GN 1/1 | Restaurants, hotels and commercial kitchens |
| Gastronorm Trolley for 36 × GN | GN 2/1 / large GN capacity | High-volume kitchens and food production |
| Bakery Trolley 60 × 40 cm Tray | 600 × 400 mm | Bakeries, pastry kitchens and confectionery |
ALFA Kitchen Factory supplies commercial stainless steel trolleys for restaurants, hotels, cafés, bakeries, catering kitchens, and food production facilities in the UAE. Custom trolley sizes and configurations can also be manufactured for project requirements.
Need a different size or configuration? Contact ALFA Kitchen with your tray dimensions, required number of levels, quantity, and project requirements.
Custom sizes available upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the size of a GN 1/1 tray?
A standard GN 1/1 tray measures approximately 530 × 325 mm.
What is the size of a GN 2/1 tray?
A standard GN 2/1 tray measures approximately 650 × 530 mm.
Is a 60 × 40 cm tray the same as GN 1/1?
No. A 60 × 40 cm bakery tray belongs to the Bakery Standard format. GN 1/1 is approximately 530 × 325 mm.
Can I use 60 × 40 cm trays in a GN trolley?
Only if the trolley is specifically designed with compatible tray guides and internal dimensions. Always confirm compatibility before ordering.
Which trolley is better for a bakery?
A 60 × 40 cm bakery trolley is normally the better choice when your bakery production uses 600 × 400 mm trays.
Which trolley is better for a large commercial kitchen?
GN 2/1 can be a better option for high-volume operations when the kitchen equipment and containers are based on the GN 2/1 format.
Can ALFA manufacture custom stainless steel trolleys?
Yes. Custom sizes and configurations can be manufactured according to project requirements.
Final Recommendation
There is no single trolley size that is best for every kitchen.
GN 1/1 when you need a compact and versatile trolley for standard commercial kitchen operations.
GN 2/1 when you need larger capacity and your kitchen is designed around the GN 2/1 format.
60 × 40 cm when your bakery or pastry operation uses 600 × 400 mm bakery trays.
The safest approach is simple: match the trolley to the tray system already used by your kitchen.