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APS
In Stock
Element Tray GN 1/3 | Gastronorm Container | Stainless Steel | APS DB965
£30.90
/ exc vat
£37.08/ inc vat
- GN 1/3 Sizing
- Durable Melamine Construction
- Lightweight Design
- Concrete-Style Finish
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Product Overview
Stepping up your food presentation is a doddle with the APS Element Tray. This isn't just another bit of kitchen kit; it's a statement piece. Moulded from high-quality, durable melamine but with a seriously cool concrete-style finish, this GN 1/3 tray gives you the industrial-chic look without the weight or fragility of actual concrete. It’s the perfect way to make your salads, pastries, and canapés pop on any buffet line or counter display.
Crafted for the hustle and bustle of modern hospitality, this tray is a top choice for event caterers, stylish hotel buffets, and trendy delis. If you're tired of the same old stainless steel and want to inject some personality into your service, this is for you. It's lightweight for easy transport, tough enough to handle daily knocks, and a breeze to clean, giving your staff one less thing to worry about.
Combining standard gastronorm sizing with a standout aesthetic, the APS DB965 is where functionality meets flair. It’s completely dishwasher safe, shatter-resistant, and designed to make serving smoother with its subtly sloped edges. It's time to give your food the backdrop it deserves and make a lasting impression on your customers.
Key Features and Benefits
- GN 1/3 Sizing: Fits perfectly into standard racks, counters, and buffet wells.
- Durable Melamine Construction: Resists chips and scratches for a long-lasting smart look.
- Lightweight Design: Easy for your team to carry, even when fully loaded.
- Concrete-Style Finish: Offers a trendy, industrial vibe for modern food displays.
- Sloped Edges: Makes scooping and serving food much easier for guests.
- Dishwasher Safe: Saves precious time on washing up after a busy service.
- Excellent Durability: A shatter-resistant, safer alternative to delicate ceramic or glass.
- Stackable by Design: Frees up valuable shelf and storage space when not in use.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: APS
- SKU: DB965
- Dimensions: 60(H) x 325(W) x 176(D) mm
- GN Size: 1/3
- Capacity: 271ml / 9.5oz
- Weight: 626g
- Material: Melamine
- Colour: Grey (Concrete-style)
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Expert Review and Insights
We’re seeing a real shift in buffet presentation. Chefs and managers want textures and finishes that make their food stand out, and plain steel doesn't always cut it. This APS Element tray absolutely nails the brief; it has a fantastic, high-end concrete look that feels incredibly current, but it’s built with the practicalities of commercial catering firmly in mind. It's a brilliant piece of kit.
Hannah Cartwright – Buffet Equipment Expert View Profile →
- Stunning Aesthetics: The concrete effect genuinely elevates a display beyond standard gastronorm pans.
- Cold Service Only: Remember this is melamine; it's for cold or ambient displays, not ovens.
Case Study: Real Business, Real Results
The Copper Kettle, a bustling café in the heart of Cardiff, wanted to refresh their lunchtime sandwich and salad bar. Their old mix-and-match bowls felt tired and didn't reflect the quality of their fresh ingredients.
"We switched to the APS Element trays and the difference was immediate. Our counter looks so much more professional and cohesive now. Customers have commented how great it looks, and they're far easier for staff to handle and clean than our old ceramic dishes."
David Williams – Owner, The Copper Kettle
The simple change resulted in a cleaner, more appealing display and a 15% uplift in salad and sandwich sales in the first month.
Installation and Maintenance Guide
Setting It Up
- Wash with warm, soapy water before its first use.
- It's a standard GN 1/3 size, so it will slot straight into any compatible buffet station, prep fridge, or display counter.
- Perfect for beautifully presenting salads, desserts, fruit, pastries, and other cold or room-temperature items.
Keeping It Going
- Completely safe for use in commercial dishwashers for a fast, hygienic clean.
- To keep the concrete-style finish looking its best, avoid using serrated knives or sharp metal utensils directly on the surface.
- Stack them neatly when dry to maximise your valuable shelf space.
- Important: Do not use in conventional ovens, microwaves, or on any direct heat source like a hob or bain-marie base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this a standard GN 1/3 size tray?
A: Yes, absolutely. It measures 325 x 176mm, so it's designed to fit perfectly in any standard GN 1/3 compatible equipment.
Q: Can I use this pan in the oven or microwave?
A: No. This container is made from melamine and is designed for cold or ambient food presentation. It is not safe for use in ovens, microwaves, or on direct heat sources.
Q: Is the APS DB965 gastronorm container heavy?
A: Not at all. It weighs just 626g, making it significantly lighter than ceramic or stainless steel equivalents, which your staff will appreciate.
Q: What is the finish like in person?
A: It has a high-quality, textured matte finish that closely mimics the look and feel of modern, polished concrete.
Q: Is the material food safe?
A: Yes, the melamine used is 100% food-grade and certified safe for direct contact with all types of food.
Q: Will it stain easily with colourful foods?
A: High-quality melamine is very stain-resistant. While it's always best to wash it promptly, it holds up exceptionally well against common culprits like tomato sauce or beetroot.
Q: How durable is it? I'm worried about chipping.
A: It's specifically designed for commercial environments, making it very robust and resistant to chipping and shattering, unlike more fragile ceramic dishes.
Q: Can I stack these to save space?
A: Yes, they are designed to nest and stack securely, helping you make the most of your storage space.
The APS Advantage: Presentation That Performs
With APS, you're getting more than just a product; you're buying into a philosophy of German-led design where style and strength go hand-in-hand. This Element tray isn't merely a container; it's a piece of professional presentation equipment. Choosing an item like this sends a clear message to your customers: you care about every detail. It elevates the perceived value of your food and transforms a simple buffet into a curated experience. This focus on premium aesthetics, backed by robust, long-lasting melamine, means you're making a smart long-term investment. You'll replace them far less often than cheaper, brittle alternatives, delivering better value and a consistently impressive look for your brand year after year.
Explore more from APSMore Than Just Plastic: Why Melamine is a Smart Choice
When you hear 'melamine', you might think of old-school picnic plates, but the material used in a commercial 1/3 size gastronorm pan like this is a different beast entirely. It’s a 'thermoset polymer', which is a fancy way of saying that once it's moulded, its structure is set and becomes incredibly rigid and durable. Think of it like baking a cake – you can't turn the batter back into liquid. This process gives the APS DB965 gastronorm container its impressive strength, making it highly resistant to chipping, shattering, and staining from foods like beetroot or tomato sauces. It provides the good looks of delicate ceramic but with the toughness needed for a relentless commercial kitchen.
Who Should Buy This?
- Hotel Buffet Managers: Ideal for upgrading breakfast and lunch displays with a contemporary, upmarket aesthetic that guests will notice.
- Event Caterers: Perfect for those needing durable, lightweight, and stylish serving pans that are easy to transport and set up.
- Trendy Cafés & Delis: A must-have for salad bars and counter displays that need to match a cool, industrial interior design.
- Contract Catering Firms: Excellent for serving in business lounges or venues where first-class presentation and robust performance are essential.
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