The Best Containers for Your Snack or Event Cart

Jul 17

We work with lots of vendors and small businesses, and one thing they all agree on: containers help keep things clean, organized, and professional. But when it comes to choosing between 4-inch and 6-inch deep containers, it depends on what you're serving.

4-inch vs. 6-inch Deep Containers

4-inch deep containers are perfect for items you refill often—like sauces, candy, sliced fruit, or toppings. They’re shallow enough for quick access and easy swapping throughout the day.
6-inch deep containers are are ideal when you want more volume and fewer refills. These work great for bulk snacks, ice, or prepping for high-traffic setups.

Choosing the Right Size: 1/6 or 1/3 Pans

Stainless steel containers come in standardized sizes. The two we use most often are:

1/3 pan: Surprisingly versatile. Many of our clients use these to hold utensils, serve small toppings, or even store charcuterie board items. They’re great when you want to keep things neat and separate without taking up too much cart space.
1/6 pan: Smaller in size and great for more compact needs. These are often used for sauces, small snacks, or backup ingredients behind the scenes. You can even stack two 1/6 containers side-by-side in a 1/3 slot for a customizable setup.
Pro tip: Some vendors place ice packs inside their 1/6 pans to keep dips, fruit, or perishable toppings cool—especially useful for outdoor events.

Stainless Steel vs. Clear Plastic

Stainless steel containers are durable, easy to clean, and excellent for maintaining food temperature. Clear containers, on the other hand, let you easily see what’s inside—especially helpful when showcasing colorful sweets or toppings.

Shop Our Go-To Containers on Amazon

We’ve linked some of our most-used 1/6 and 1/3 containers in both 4" and 6" depths—perfect for whatever kind of cart you’re building.

1/6 Size Containers

1/3 Size Containers