Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an improved disposable aluminum pan for use with a chaffing rack and a pair of half pans. The pan includes a base terminating to a sidewall and an rim, which terminates to a rolled bead. The pan includes an inside length measured longitudinally across opposing sidewalls from the inside edge of the rim. The inside length is configured to be shorter than a corresponding inside length of an unimproved pan. The pair of half pans when nested side by side in the improved pan can have adjacent sides of the half pans lay without overlap. The pan also allows for a lid to fit better. The pan also includes a deeper well such that the bottom is positioned closer to burners in the chaffing rack and allows more water to be added during the heating process.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an improved disposable aluminum pan for use with a chaffing rack and a pair of half pans. The pan includes a base terminating to a sidewall and a rim, which terminates to a rolled bead. The pan includes an inside length measured longitudinally across opposing sidewalls from the inside edge of the rim. The inside length is configured to be longer than a corresponding inside length of an unimproved pan. The pair of half pans when nested side by side in the improved pan can have adjacent sides of the half pans lay without overlap. The pan also allows for a lid to fit better. The pan also includes a deeper well such that the bottom is positioned closer to burners in the chaffing rack and allows more water to be added during the heating process.

Abstract: There is provided a combination of nested pans for use in warming and cooking foods. The combination includes a first pan and a second pan. The second pan has a base portion terminating to an upwardly extending continuously surrounding sidewall. The sidewall has an upper edge that extend outwardly to a rim. The second pan further has an inside angle defined between the base portion of the upwardly extending sidewall, and wherein the continuously surrounding sidewall defines a pair of oppositely positioned short sides and a pair of oppositely positioned long sides interspaced between the short sides. The length of the short side of the pan is configured to permit at least three pans to nest side by side within the first pan.