Foil Containers: Which Size for Which Dish

Walk into any kebab shop, curry house or Turkish grill in the UK and the same numbering system appears behind the counter: No.1, No.2, No.6a, 9x9. Foil container numbers are shorthand every takeaway owner should know by heart, because ordering the wrong size means squashed portions, leaking bags and wasted margin on every order. This guide breaks down which number suits which dish, so your next wholesale order is spot on.

No.1 and No.2: sides, sauces and single portions

The No.1 foil container is the smallest workhorse, ideal for rice portions, chips, salads, houmous, cacik and garlic sauce sides. Step up to the No.2 for a standard single-portion main such as a donner meat and salad box, a curry with sauce, or a kids' meal. If your menu leans on generous sauce-based dishes, the No.2 is usually the highest-volume container on your order sheet, so buy it by the case.

No.6a: the takeaway main standard

The No.6a is the classic British takeaway main-course container: deep enough for a full curry, iskender with yoghurt and sauce, or pasta bakes, without doming the lid. Many operators standardise on No.6a for all mains and No.1 for all sides, which simplifies stock control and lets staff pack orders without thinking twice.

9x7 and 9x9: family portions and traybakes

Rectangular 9x7 deep 2-inch containers suit sharing platters, mixed grills for two and lasagne-style portions. The 9x9 deep 2-inch container is the family-size option, perfect for whole baked dishes, borek, baklava trays and roast portions for four. The 9x9 also comes in a shallow 1.5-inch depth for flatter items like grilled fish or kofte where you want presentation rather than depth.

No.12 rounds and gastro trays for catering

Round No.12 foil containers are the go-to for soups, stews and saucy dishes that slosh in transit, since round corners pour cleanly and seal well. For buffets, event catering and bulk cooking, half-deep gastro premium foil trays drop straight into standard chafing units, and full gastro foil lids keep everything covered from kitchen to venue. A caterer running Sunday events can prep, chill, transport and reheat in the same tray.

Do not forget the lids and the foil roll

Every container size has a matching lid, and poly-coated board lids are worth the small extra cost: the coating resists steam so lids do not sag onto the food. Heavy poly-coated lids for No.2 and No.6a containers survive stacking in delivery bags far better than standard board. Keep a 45cm catering foil roll on hand too, for wrapping trays, lining grills and covering gastro pans during holding.

Ordering smart

Count your weekly orders by dish type, match each menu item to one container number, and order a two-week buffer of each. Turkish Online Market supplies the full numbered range with matching lids in wholesale case quantities delivered across the UK, so a single order covers the whole counter.