Tray sets made to match your line
A custom tray set is more than a tray with a different size. It is a matched set of trays made to suit your oven footprint, rack spacing, product weight and the way your team handles product from make-up to bake off. That matters when you are running bread, rolls, buns, pies or pastry in volume because a tray that is 5 mm off can cause wasted space, awkward stacking and extra wear on the line.
At Bakerite we manufacture trays in steel for industrial use, with set quantities and repeatable dimensions for plant bakeries, retailers and hotels. If you need a full run of identical trays or several tray sizes in one order, we can work to the measurements you supply and keep the set consistent from the first tray to the last.
- Matched tray counts for daily output and shift planning
- Consistent stacking for storage and return trolleys
- Sizes suited to oven decks, racks and proving trolleys
- Options for straight edges, turned rims and reinforced corners
Common sizes, profiles and build options
Custom tray sets are built around the dimensions you use on site. We can work from an existing tray, a rack opening, oven floor opening or a product layout sheet. Many customers need one of two things: a tray that mirrors an old tray that is no longer holding shape, or a new tray size for a changed product line.
Typical build choices include flat trays, shallow trays and deeper pans with formed edges for better handling. Where trays are lifted and stacked many times a day, we can add stronger corner formation and rim control so the tray keeps its shape better under heat and load. Coastal humidity and constant washdown can shorten tray life, so material thickness and finish need to be chosen with that in mind.
- Lengths and widths to suit your oven or rack layout
- Shallow or deeper side walls depending on the product
- Single piece or set production for multi tray runs
- Can be supplied with matching lids where required
Where custom tray sets are used
These tray sets suit any operation that needs repeated product flow and fixed loading patterns. Plant bakeries often use them for white loaves, brown loaves, hamburger rolls and sliced pan products. Hotels and caterers use them for batch baking, breakfast service and kitchen prep where the trays must move between prep area, oven and cooling racks without fuss.
Retail bakeries use custom tray sets where shelf space is tight and the product must present neatly after baking. In some operations the tray is part of the packing process as well, so the set needs to stack cleanly and sit square in the trolley. If your site runs through load shedding, tray handling becomes even more important because every stop and restart puts extra strain on the line and the staff managing it.
- Plant bakeries and commercial bread lines
- Hotel kitchens, catering units and central kitchens
- Retail bake-off shops and supermarket bakery sections
- Food plants needing repeat batch sizing and clean stacking
Installation and utility needs on site
Custom trays do not need a power connection or gas supply by themselves, but they must fit the equipment they work with. Before we make a set, check the oven type, rack dimensions, trolley clearance and loading method. If the trays will run through a deck oven, conveyor oven or proofing room, the set should be checked against the actual opening sizes not just the brochure figures.
On larger bakery lines, staff also need to know whether trays will be hand loaded, rolled on trolleys or transferred by mechanical handling. That affects weight, lip height and the grip area on the tray. If your site has limited access or older flooring, especially in parts of Pinetown, Westmead and New Germany, practical handling matters as much as the tray size itself.
- Confirm internal oven and rack measurements before ordering
- Check trolley width, turning space and doorway clearances
- Allow for heat expansion and easy lift off points
- Match tray weight to staff handling and shift pace
Care, cleaning and tray life
Steel trays last better when they are cleaned properly and put back into service dry. Leave them wet after washing and they are far more likely to stain, pit or lose shape over time. In coastal areas like Durban and nearby industrial zones, salt air and damp storage can speed up surface wear, so drying space and airflow are important.
Do not scrape trays with sharp tools or stack them crooked, because that bends rims and shortens service life. If trays start to twist, the load sits unevenly and that can affect bake results too. Bakerite also offers servicing for worn tray sets, including straightening, corner repairs, rim repairs, weld repairs and deep cleaning when a set is still worth keeping in service.
- Wash, rinse and dry before stacking
- Store level to prevent bowing and edge damage
- Separate damaged trays before they affect the set
- Book recoating or repairs before the tray becomes unsafe
What to check before you place an order
When ordering custom tray sets, the best results come from clear measurements and a proper idea of how the trays will be used. Send us the product size, tray count per set, required lip or rim height and any stack height limits. If the tray must fit into an existing trolley or oven, include the internal dimensions and not only the outside size.
It also helps to tell us what product is being baked and how often the trays are turned in service. A tray for heavy dough portions needs a different approach to a tray for lighter rolls. If you are replacing an old set, send photos of the worn trays and note where the damage shows up first. That gives a better match and helps prevent repeated failure in the same spot.
- Exact tray length, width and depth
- Number of trays required per set and per shift
- Product weight, stacking height and oven type
- Any special corners, rims, lids or repairable parts
Bakerite support from Westmead, Pinetown
Bakerite has been making industrial bakeware from Westmead, Pinetown since 1997, and the same workshop support still matters on custom tray work today. Our team handles production, sales and service from the same base, so customers can get measured advice, manufacturing and aftercare without having to chase different people around. That saves time when you are working against shift schedules and delivery windows.
We supply nationally to plant bakeries, hotels and retailers, with service across Westmead, Pinetown, Durban, New Germany, the Upper Highway and the wider KwaZulu-Natal area. If you need a tray set that fits properly and holds up in daily use, we can help size it, build it and keep it in service longer.
- Westmead base with national supply capability
- Custom production for repeated tray sets and replacement runs
- Servicing support for worn, bent or damaged trays
- Practical advice from a team that knows bakery handling on site
Key facts
| Product type | Custom steel tray sets for industrial baking |
|---|---|
| Typical use | Plant bakeries, retailers, hotels and central kitchens |
| Build options | Flat trays, shallow trays, deeper pans, lids on request |
| Size range | Made to your supplied dimensions and stacking requirements |
| Service support | Recoat, straighten, repair, deep clean and assess |
| Supply area | National supply from Westmead, Pinetown |
