Aluminium Foil Containers: Takeaway & Catering Guide

Aluminium foil containers are a practical packaging choice for restaurants, takeaways, caterers, bakeries, meal-prep businesses and commercial kitchens. Available in compact individual portions, larger square trays and full-size gastronorm formats, foil containers can be used for everything from rice and curry dishes to pasta bakes, roast meals, desserts and large catering portions.

Choosing the correct foil tray, however, is important. A small No.1 container serves a very different purpose from a deep 9 × 9 inch tray or a full GN 1/1 gastronorm container.

This guide explains the main aluminium foil container sizes and shapes, what they are best used for, when to choose shallow or deep trays, how lids work, and what takeaway and catering businesses should consider before ordering.

If you already know the style you need, browse our complete range of aluminium foil containers and catering trays.

Why Use Aluminium Foil Containers for Takeaway and Catering?

Aluminium foil containers have remained popular in professional foodservice because they combine relatively low weight with useful heat performance and a wide choice of sizes.

Depending on the individual product specification, they can be useful for:

• Hot takeaway meals
• Cooking and oven reheating
• Meal preparation
• Chilled food storage
• Freezer portions
• Batch cooking
• Baking
• Buffet and event catering
• Food delivery
• Large-scale commercial food preparation

Aluminium also transfers heat efficiently, which is one reason foil trays are commonly used for oven-ready meals, baking and reheating.

Aluminium Foil Container Size Guide

Supply Express stocks foil containers ranging from small individual portion trays through to full-size gastronorm catering containers. The table below provides a practical overview of some of the most popular formats.

Foil Container	Approx. Size	Shape	Best Uses
No.1 Foil Container	95 × 120 × 35mm	Rectangular	Small sides, desserts, snacks and individual portions
No.2 Foil Container	115 × 140 × 40mm	Rectangular	Smaller mains, sides, rice, pasta and desserts
No.6A Foil Container	105 × 195 × 50mm	Rectangular	Takeaway mains, curry, rice, pasta and noodles
No.6 Foil Container	110 × 210 × 60mm	Deep rectangular	Larger mains, combo meals and deeper portions
Nicholl 7 × 9 × 1.5" Foil Container	Approx. 178 × 229 × 38mm	Shallow rectangular	Traybakes, pasta dishes, mains and oven-ready meals
No.12 Round Foil Container	7" / approx. 178mm diameter	Round	Individual portions, sides, desserts and baked dishes
Hippo 9" Round Foil Container	9" / approx. 227mm diameter	Round	Larger meals, pasta bakes, rice dishes and catering
9 × 9 × 1.5" Foil Container	Approx. 229 × 229 × 38mm	Shallow square	Takeaway meals, traybakes and wider food portions
9 × 9 × 2" Deep Foil Container	Approx. 229 × 229 × 50mm	Deep square	Curries, lasagne, larger meals and saucier dishes
Half Deep Gastronorm Foil Container	10 × 12 × 2.5"	GN 1/2	Buffets, batch cooking, catering and larger portions
Full Shallow Gastronorm Foil Container	325 × 527 × 38mm	GN 1/1 shallow	Traybakes, roasting, buffets and high-volume catering
Full Deep Gastronorm Foil Container	Approx. 325 × 527 × 86mm	GN 1/1 deep	Bulk meals, curries, stews, lasagne and event catering

Dimensions and capacities should always be checked on the individual product page before ordering, particularly when matching containers with lids or working to fixed portion sizes.

Small Foil Containers for Sides and Individual Portions

Small foil trays are useful where portion control matters and a full-size takeaway container would be unnecessarily large.

No.1 Foil Container – 95 × 120 × 35mm

The compact No.1 aluminium foil container is one of the smallest options in the range.

It is particularly useful for:

• Side portions
• Rice or vegetable sides
• Small desserts
• Puddings
• Samples
• Small baked items
• Portion-controlled catering

Its compact footprint also makes it useful where kitchen storage space is limited or businesses require large numbers of smaller containers during busy service.

No.2 Foil Container – 115 × 140 × 40mm

The No.2 aluminium foil container provides slightly more capacity than the No.1 while remaining relatively compact.

It works well for smaller takeaway mains, side dishes, pasta, rice, curry portions, desserts and meal-prep applications.

Businesses serving several portion sizes may find No.1 and No.2 containers useful as smaller alternatives alongside larger No.6 and No.6A trays.

No.6A vs No.6 Foil Containers

No.6 and No.6A trays are familiar formats in takeaway foodservice, but the two should not be confused.

No.6A – 105 × 195 × 50mm

The No.6A aluminium foil container has a practical elongated rectangular format suitable for individual takeaway meals.

Popular uses include:

• Rice and curry
• Pasta
• Noodles
• Stir-fries
• Hot takeaway mains
• Meal-prep portions

No.6 – 110 × 210 × 60mm

The No.6 foil container is larger and deeper than the No.6A.

The additional depth makes it useful where you need more capacity for larger main meals, combo portions, curry and rice dishes, pasta bakes and other substantial takeaway servings.

If your menu regularly requires more space than the traditional No.6A format provides, the deeper No.6 is likely to be the more practical choice.

Rectangular Foil Containers for Takeaway Meals and Baking

Rectangular aluminium trays provide a familiar shape for food preparation, cooking and takeaway presentation.

The Nicholl 7 × 9 × 1.5 inch aluminium foil container is a shallow rectangular option suitable for individual mains, traybakes, pasta dishes, rice, curries, desserts and oven-ready meals.

A shallower tray can be particularly useful where a wider food surface is preferred without requiring the extra depth of a large square or gastronorm container.

Round Aluminium Foil Containers

Round foil trays are useful for meals and baked dishes where a circular presentation suits the food or serving style.

No.12 7-Inch Round Foil Container

The No.12 7-inch round foil container provides a compact format for individual portions, side dishes, desserts and smaller baked meals.

Hippo 9-Inch Round Foil Container

For larger portions, the Hippo 9-inch round aluminium foil container provides additional space for pasta bakes, rice dishes, larger individual meals and catering applications.

Choosing between the 7-inch and 9-inch formats is largely a matter of portion size and presentation.

9 × 9 Inch Square Foil Containers: Shallow or Deep?

Square foil containers are particularly useful when businesses need a wide base for larger meals, layered dishes or multi-item portions.

Supply Express stocks both a shallow and deeper 9 × 9 inch option.

9 × 9 × 1.5 Inch Square Foil Container

The 9 × 9 × 1.5 inch square foil container provides a broad but relatively shallow food area.

It is useful for:

• Traybakes
• Roast meals
• Pasta dishes
• Rice meals
• Takeaway mains
• Baked dishes

9 × 9 × 2 Inch Deep Square Foil Container

The 9 × 9 × 2 inch deep foil container has the same general square footprint but provides additional depth.

The deeper profile makes it more suitable for larger portions, layered lasagne, curries, pasta bakes and foods that benefit from higher sides.

If the 1.5-inch tray suits the width of your meal but regularly feels too shallow, the 2-inch version is the logical next size.

What Are Gastronorm Foil Containers?

Gastronorm, often abbreviated to GN, is a standard sizing system widely used in professional catering equipment and foodservice operations.

Gastronorm foil trays are particularly useful for:

• Hotels
• Event caterers
• Buffets
• Commercial kitchens
• Food production
• Banqueting
• Large takeaway orders
• Batch cooking

Half Deep Gastronorm – GN 1/2

The half deep gastronorm foil container measures approximately 10 × 12 × 2.5 inches and provides a useful middle ground between individual takeaway trays and full-size catering containers.

It works well for curries, rice dishes, pasta, roasted meat, vegetables, buffet service and batch preparation.

Full Shallow Gastronorm – GN 1/1

The full shallow GN 1/1 aluminium foil container measures approximately 325 × 527 × 38mm.

Its wide, shallow layout is particularly useful for:

• Traybakes
• Roasted meats
• Vegetables
• Pasta bakes
• Lasagne
• Buffet presentation
• High-volume catering

Full Deep Gastronorm – GN 1/1

The full deep GN 1/1 aluminium foil container keeps the same full-size footprint but increases the depth to approximately 86mm.

It is better suited to foods requiring substantially more capacity, including:

• Bulk curries
• Stews and casseroles
• Large lasagnes
• Rice dishes
• Roasted meat and vegetables
• Sauces and accompaniments
• Buffet portions
• Large event meals

Shallow vs Deep Foil Containers

Choosing between shallow and deep containers depends on more than the total portion size.

Shallow Foil Trays	Deep Foil Trays
Useful for traybakes and flatter meals	Useful for curries, stews and larger portions
Greater visible surface area	Higher walls help contain deeper dishes
Useful for baked and roasted foods	Better suited to layered meals
Can suit buffet presentation	Useful for bulk catering portions
Generally uses less vertical storage space	Provides more food capacity for a similar footprint

Are Aluminium Foil Containers Oven Safe?

Many of the aluminium foil containers in the Supply Express range are suitable for conventional oven cooking, baking and reheating.

Aluminium transfers heat efficiently, which makes foil trays useful for dishes such as lasagne, pasta bakes, roast vegetables, meat dishes and oven-ready meals.

Always check the individual product specification before oven use.

If you are using a cardboard or foil-board lid, remove it before placing the container in the oven unless the particular lid is specifically stated to be suitable for oven use.

Can Aluminium Foil Containers Go in the Microwave?

No. The standard aluminium foil containers featured in this guide should not be used in microwave ovens.

Aluminium is metal and these products are not sold as microwave-safe packaging.

If customers need to reheat meals in a microwave, choose packaging specifically designed and labelled for microwave use instead.

Can Foil Containers Go in the Freezer?

Many of the foil containers in this range are also suitable for chilled preparation and freezer storage.

This makes them useful for:

• Meal-prep businesses
• Batch cooking
• Preparing catering meals in advance
• Frozen ready meals
• Commercial kitchen prep

Normal food-safety procedures for cooling, refrigeration, freezing and reheating should always be followed.

Are Lids Included With Foil Containers?

Many Supply Express aluminium foil container listings are supplied as bases only, with matching lids sold separately.

Compatible foil-board, cardboard or foil lids can help with:

• Stacking
• Food protection
• Takeaway presentation
• Transport
• Reducing spills during normal handling

Always use the lid designed for the particular container size. A similar-looking lid from another tray may not fit securely.

Also remember that a lidded foil container should not automatically be described as completely leak-proof. Suitability for liquid-rich foods depends on the container, lid, closure and transport conditions.

Are Aluminium Foil Containers Recyclable?

Aluminium foil trays are widely recyclable where the local collection system accepts them.

Before recycling, remove leftover food and clean off significant food residue where practical. Recycling requirements vary by area and commercial waste provider, so businesses and customers should follow their local guidance.

Using the correct container size can also reduce unnecessary material. A small side portion does not need to be served in a full-size tray, while using a container that is too small may lead to spills, damaged food or additional packaging.

Which Foil Container Is Best for Takeaway Food?

There is no single foil container that is best for every takeaway meal. The right size depends on the dish, portion, depth and how the order will be transported.

A practical approach could be:

• Small sides and desserts: No.1
• Smaller mains and side dishes: No.2
• Standard takeaway mains: No.6A
• Larger or deeper individual meals: No.6
• Wide shallow meals: 7 × 9 or 9 × 9 × 1.5"
• Large or saucier portions: 9 × 9 × 2"
• Round individual dishes: 7" round
• Larger round dishes: 9" round
• Medium-volume catering: half gastronorm
• Large shallow catering dishes: full shallow GN 1/1
• Bulk food and large catering portions: full deep GN 1/1

Best Foil Containers for Curry and Rice

For standard individual curry and rice portions, rectangular containers such as the No.6A foil container are a practical choice.

If the portion requires more volume or depth, the larger No.6 foil container may be more appropriate.

For catering-size curries and rice dishes, half and full gastronorm trays provide substantially more capacity.

Best Foil Containers for Lasagne and Pasta Bakes

Lasagne and layered pasta dishes often benefit from a wider tray with sufficient depth.

The 9 × 9 × 2 inch deep square foil container offers a useful format for larger takeaway portions, while the full deep gastronorm tray is better suited to large-scale catering and buffet preparation.

Best Foil Containers for Catering and Events

For events and high-volume catering, gastronorm trays can simplify preparation, transport and buffet service.

A half deep GN container is useful for medium-sized dishes, while full GN 1/1 trays provide much greater capacity.

Choose the full shallow gastronorm tray for foods benefiting from a broad shallow surface, or the full deep gastronorm tray for bulkier meals, sauces and deeper dishes.

Foil Container Buying Checklist

Before ordering aluminium foil containers for your business, consider:

• Portion size: Is the tray large enough without leaving excessive empty space?
• Depth: Does your food require a shallow or deep container?
• Shape: Would rectangular, square or round presentation work best?
• Food consistency: Is the meal dry, moist or sauce-heavy?
• Oven use: Will the meal be cooked or reheated in the tray?
• Microwave use: If microwave reheating is required, choose alternative microwave-safe packaging.
• Freezing: Will meals be prepared and frozen in advance?
• Lids: Have you identified the correct compatible lid?
• Transport: Will the tray remain stable in a takeaway or delivery bag?
• Storage: Do you have sufficient space for the chosen size and lids?

Frequently Asked Questions About Aluminium Foil Containers

What are aluminium foil containers used for?

Aluminium foil containers are commonly used for takeaway meals, baking, catering, meal preparation, chilled storage, freezer portions, oven-ready dishes and buffet service.

Are foil containers suitable for hot food?

Yes. Food-grade aluminium foil containers are widely used for hot takeaway and catering applications. Always check the specification of the individual product for its intended use.

Can foil containers go in the oven?

Many of the foil containers in the Supply Express range are suitable for conventional oven cooking and reheating. Check the individual product specification and remove non-oven-safe cardboard or foil-board lids before heating.

Can aluminium takeaway containers go in the microwave?

No. The standard aluminium foil containers covered in this guide are not suitable for microwave use.

Can foil food containers be frozen?

Many aluminium foil trays are suitable for chilled preparation and freezer storage, making them useful for meal prep and batch cooking. Check the specification of the individual product before use.

Are aluminium foil trays recyclable?

Aluminium foil trays are widely recyclable where accepted by local recycling services. Remove food residue where practical and follow local or commercial recycling guidance.

Are foil-container lids included?

No. foil-container products are supplied as bases only, with matching lids sold separately. What is the difference between No.6 and No.6A foil containers?

What is the difference between No.6A and  No.6 foil trays?

The No.6A measures approximately 105 × 195 × 50mm, while the No.6 is larger at approximately 110 × 210 × 60mm. The No.6 therefore provides additional capacity and depth for larger portions.

What is the difference between shallow and deep 9 × 9 foil trays?

Both have approximately the same 9 × 9 inch footprint, but the shallow version is approximately 1.5 inches deep while the deeper version is approximately 2 inches deep. The deeper tray is better suited to larger, layered or saucier meals.

What are gastronorm foil containers?

Gastronorm containers follow standard GN dimensions widely used in professional catering. Half-size GN 1/2 and full-size GN 1/1 foil trays are useful for batch cooking, buffets, events and high-volume food preparation.

Choosing the Right Aluminium Foil Containers for Your Business

The best foil container is the one that matches the food, portion size, cooking method and delivery requirements of your business.

Our most popular and fast-moving aluminium foil containers include the No.6A and No.6 takeaway trays, No.12 7-inch round foil containers, 9-inch round trays, 9 × 9 inch square foil containers in shallow and deep options, and half-deep gastronorm trays. These versatile sizes are widely used for takeaway meals, curries, rice, pasta, lasagne, roast dishes, baking and catering. Smaller No.1 and No.2 foil trays are ideal for side portions and desserts, while full-size gastronorm containers provide the extra capacity required for large catering orders, buffets and commercial food preparation.

Rather than using one container for every item on your menu, choosing two or three carefully selected sizes can improve portion consistency, storage efficiency and takeaway presentation.

Browse our full range of wholesale aluminium foil containers and trays for takeaway and catering to compare rectangular, round, square, shallow, deep and gastronorm formats.