Quick answer
Camwear food storage pans are clear, virtually unbreakable polycarbonate pans designed for cold prep, buffet, and banquet service. They work best at temperatures between -40°F and 210°F and cost about half the price of stainless steel, but they are not oven-safe. Choose Camwear for cold holding and display; switch to H-Pan for oven-to-table needs.
Understanding Camwear pan sizes and Gastronorm compatibility
Camwear food storage pans follow the Gastronorm (GN) standard, which means they fit universally in standard prep stations, steam tables, and buffet inserts. Common full-size pans measure roughly 20 x 12 inches, with depths ranging from 2 to 6 inches. Half-size, third-size, and sixth-size pans let you mix and match ingredients or sides in the same well.
The clear Camwear material makes it easy to spot contents without lifting lids, which speeds up line checks and reduces food waste. Because the pans are transparent, they work especially well for front-of-house displays where you want customers to see the food.
Temperature limits and material trade-offs
Camwear pans handle -40°F to 210°F, so they are safe for freezers, refrigerators, steam tables, and microwaves. However, they cannot go into a convection or standard oven. If your workflow requires moving food from freezer directly into a 375°F oven, you need the Amber High Heat H-Pan instead.
The polycarbonate resists chemicals and staining, which helps maintain flavor and freshness. But over time, heavy scrubbing or abrasive cleaners can cloud the surface. Hand washing is recommended to keep the crystal clarity that makes Camwear pans a favorite for buffet lines.
Decision rules for choosing Camwear vs. H-Pan
- Service temperature: Camwear works from -40°F to 210°F. H-Pan works from -40°F to 375°F. If you never exceed 210°F, Camwear is sufficient and cheaper.
- Oven use: Camwear is not oven-safe. H-Pan can go from freezer to oven without transferring. Choose H-Pan if your recipe requires oven reheating or cooking.
- Visibility: Camwear is crystal clear. H-Pan is amber and translucent. For front-of-house display, Camwear gives better product visibility.
- Cost: Camwear costs about half the price of stainless steel. H-Pan costs more but replaces both a storage pan and a baking dish. Camwear saves money for cold-only applications.
Product facts at a glance
- Food Storage Pans - Camwear®: Store, transport, and serve all-in-one with the food pan built from crystal-clear, virtually unbreakable Camwear. This Gastronorm designed solution is half the cost of stainless steel and keeps product just as cold for just as long, outstanding for prep stations, buffets, and banquet service. Withstands temperatures -40°F to 210°F (-40°C to 99°C), and resists chemicals for added flavor and freshness protection. You get cold-holding performance equal to stainless steel at half the cost, plus the visibility of clear polycarbonate. Ideal for cold prep and display, but not for oven use.
- Amber High Heat Food Pans - H-Pan™: Go from prep to freezer to oven, then right to service with this all-purpose Cambro High Heat H-Pan. These high heat food pans are outstanding for efficient kitchens that employ microwaves, steam tables, and ovens. A versatile pan that performs from -40°F to 375°F (-40°C to 190°C), the heat tolerance also makes them ideal for reheating applications. If your kitchen frequently moves food from freezer to oven, the H-Pan eliminates the need to transfer to a separate baking dish. It costs more than Camwear but covers a much wider temperature range.
Which pan fits your kitchen?
Best for
- Cold prep stations and refrigerated buffet lines
- Displaying salads, desserts, and cold entrees in clear pans
- Operations that need a low-cost, durable alternative to stainless steel
Not for
- Oven cooking or reheating above 210°F
- Kitchens that need one pan to go from freezer to 375°F oven
