Choose a bakery rack by four things: the pan size you use, how many pans you need to stage at once, the slide spacing your product needs, and where the rack will live, whether on the floor, under a counter, on a wall or under a work table. For most bakeries and pizza kitchens, a 20 tier mobile rack that holds 20 full size or 40 half size sheet pans is the workhorse, with smaller racks filling gaps near the oven and the bench.
Shop the equipment in this article: work tables, bakery racks and convection ovens. Freight is included on every order.
This guide explains each choice with figures from our product pages, plus the cooling rule that matters when racks go into the walk-in.
What bakery racks do
Sheet pan racks hold full or half size pans on slides. Kitchens use them to cool bread and pastries, stage dough during proofing, hold prepped food before service and move product between the bench, the oven and the walk-in. In many kitchens the rolling rack is the link between the prep table and cold storage.
Match the rack to your pans
A full size sheet pan is 18 x 26 in.; our full size aluminum pans are 18 x 26 x 1 in., 19 gauge, with a wire reinforced rim. A half size pan is a common 18 x 13 in. Most full size racks take one full pan or two half pans per level. Check what you use before you buy, and check that your oven interior fits the pan too.
Types of racks
Full height mobile racks
Our 20 tier bun pan rack holds 20 full size or 40 half size sheet pans on slides spaced 3 in. apart, rated up to 75 lb per pair of slides and 350 lb in total, on casters with two brakes. The Thunder Group ALSPR020 is a 20 tier aluminum rack at 20.25 W x 26 D x 69.25 H in., with four casters, two locking.
Half height racks
Our WM-HALF-10 is a half height, end load rack with 10 tiers for 10 full size or 20 half size pans, welded aluminum on 5 in. casters with two brakes. Its page says half height racks fit under a counter or work table.
Wall mounted racks
Wall racks keep pans off the counter and the floor near the oven. Our BPR-WM-FULL-6 holds 6 full size pans at 28 x 18 x 21 in., and the BPR-WM-HALF-5 holds 5 half size pans at 21 x 13 x 18 in. Mounting hardware for the full size model is sold separately, and its page says to use anchors or screws rated for your wall and a full load of pans.
Countertop and under-table racks
Our countertop rack holds 7 pans and comes in 15.3 x 18 in. or 19 x 16 in. sizes. The TM-FULL-6 mounts under one of our work tables and holds 6 full size 18 x 26 in. pans; it fits tables 30 or 36 in. deep and at least 30 in. long, and needs space under the top above any undershelf.
Slide spacing
Spacing decides how tall the product on each pan can be. Our racks use 3 in. spacing, which leaves air around each tray for cooling and fits items that are not completely flat. For tall breads and cakes, common practice is to skip every other slide, which turns a 20 tier rack into a 10 tier rack for that product.
Load and stability
Stay under the load rating on the page. Load heavy pans low and lighter pans higher, so the rack does not tip when it turns. Lock the brakes before loading or unloading, as our product pages say.
Mobility and doorways
Measure every doorway the rack must pass, especially the walk-in door. The ALSPR020 is 69.25 in. tall, and our 20 tier rack page says to check door openings and the walk-in before you buy a full height rack. Make sure casters roll over floor drains and thresholds.
Cooling and food safety
When racks of cooked food go into the walk-in, the cooling rule applies. Under the FDA Food Code, as adopted in Virginia (12VAC5-421-800), cooked food must cool from 135F to 70F within 2 hours, and to 41F or below within a total of 6 hours. Spacing pans on a rack lets air move around them. Your local health department has the final say.
Aluminum racks resist rust and are easy to wash. Clean the slides, where crumbs and sugar build up.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a full height rack that does not fit the walk-in door.
- Overloading the top slides.
- Forgetting mounting hardware for a wall rack.
- Moving a loaded rack without checking the casters roll freely.
Frequently asked questions
How many pans does a bakery rack hold?
Our full height 20 tier racks hold 20 full size or 40 half size pans. Our half height rack holds 10 full or 20 half size pans.
Will half size pans fit a full size rack?
On our 20 tier and half height racks, yes: two half size pans per level.
Aluminum or stainless rack?
Our racks are aluminum, which resists rust and is light to move.
Can I put a hot rack straight into the walk-in?
You can, but watch the cooling times above and the load on the walk-in. Ask your health department about your cooling plan.
Where to look next
Compare all bakery racks, our full size sheet pans, convection ovens and the rest of our commercial bakery equipment. Freight to the 48 contiguous states is included in every price, and non-powered items have a 14 day return window from delivery.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
Commercial 20 Tier Bun Baking Pan Rack Sheet Pan Rack
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Commercial 20 Tier Bun Baking
- 20 Tier Holds pans
- Heavy-Duty 350 lb. capacity
Thunder Group ALSPR020 20-Tier Aluminum Sheet Pan Rack with Casters (model ALSPR020)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- 20-1/4″ x 26″ x 69-1/4″, 20-tier sheet pan rack with 4 casters (2 locking).
- Holds 20 full size or 40 half size sheet pans.
Commercial Aluminum Wall Mounted Sheet Bun Pan Rack
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Commercial Aluminum Wall
- 28″ x 18″ x 21″ : Compact
- Fits 6 Sheet Pans : Max storage
Countertop 7 Half Size & Full Size Sheet Bun Pan Rack Option
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Countertop 7 Half Size & Full Size
- Space Saving 3″ spacing
- Durable Build Corrosion-resistant
Table-Mounted Aluminum Bun Pan Rack for 30″ Wide Work Table (model TM-FULL-6)
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Table-Mounted Aluminum Bun Pan Rack
- 6 Pan Capacity : Holds 6 pans
- Front-Loading : Easy access
18″ x 26″ Full-Size Aluminum Sheet Pans – Pack of 12 or 6 (Commercial Grade)
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.