Baking is the most time-consuming cooking method. Some baking recipes might even take several hours to finish, most especially muffins, cakes, biscuits, and cookies. It has to be perfect, ‘cause if not, then the end result could be very disappointing.
However, baking doesn’t have to be a painstaking process with the help of the best baking pans. After all, a baking pan is an essential utensil in baking. With the variety of baking pans that are designed for specific needs, choosing the best one might be a bit daunting.
To help you with that, we have gathered tips on how to choose the best baking pan and reviewed some of the products which we think are among the best out there.
How to Choose the Best Baking Pans
There are several factors you need to consider when looking for a reliable and quality baking pan. Before you even start shopping, make sure you take these into account:
Select the right size and shape
The size of your baking pan is a huge factor in how well it works on a specific baking task. It’s important to choose baking pans that are designed according to what recipe you will bake. For instance, a circular baking pan is ideal for baking a round cake, while muffins need baking pans that has several round sockets on it. Another important factor you should know is whether the baking pan will fit in your oven. If the baking pan doesn’t fit, then it is basically useless.
The number of your recipes should determine how many baking pans to buy
If you’re baking more than one recipe or a huge quantity of one recipe, then you’ll need multiple baking pans of different types. Remember, baking is a long process; therefore, having only very few or lacking baking pans could make the baking process even more time-consuming.
Select the baking pans that are made of the right materials
Some baking pans are made with sub-standard materials that can ruin your recipes. There are also baking pans made of materials that are ideal for a specific type of recipe. Needless to say, you can find different types of baking pans which we will discuss later.
Consider the need for baking pans with special features
Some baking pans are designed to make your recipe look creative. Such examples are baking pans that have sockets to shape your cookies into stars, animals, hearts, and many more. Baking pans like these are ideal for children’s birthday parties, Valentine’s Day, Christmas celebrations, and other fancy events.
Purchase baking pans that are durable
Baking pans should be sturdy to withstand different temperatures and weights. It’s ideal that you choose baking pans that have that kind of quality so that you’ll be able to use them for a long period of time.
Material
Glass Baking Pans
This type of baking pan is the best in conducting heat. It is usually the go-to baking pan for bakers, although you have to be careful using them. It’s good at conducting heat but way too good sometimes. The glass can sometimes act as a magnifying glass due to the high temperature of the oven; therefore, your recipe might get burnt if you’re not careful.
As much as possible, make sure to minimize the oven’s temperature. Another important reminder is not to put glass baking pans on a stove or broiler, as direct contact with heat can cause the glass to break.
Metal Baking Pans
This baking pan is the most commonly used type by most bakers and bakers-to-be. They are much easier to clean and ideal for sweet treats such as muffins, cakes, cookies, and quick bread. However, it is important to choose the metal baking pan best suited for your oven.
Most metal baking pans are either made of aluminum, anodized aluminum, stainless steel, tinned steel, copper, and cast. Each metal may react differently depending with on oven, so choose wisely.
Silicone Baking Pans
This type of baking pan is commonly used to make molds for cakes that are oddly shaped. Silicone is widely considered as the ultimate non-stick material, making it very convenient to use for muffins and cupcakes. They’re also very useful for desserts that need time in the chiller or freezer.
Silicone can handle sudden temperature changes, unlike other baking pans. However, there is a slight downside to silicone baking plans. Unlike glass baking pans, silicone does not conduct heat very well. On the flip side, this means your recipes are not at risk of getting burnt as you can just let the oven do most of the work by raising its temperature.
Ceramic Baking Pans
Similar to silicone, ceramic can withstand sudden temperature changes, which also makes it ideal for desserts that need time in the freezer after being in the oven for quite some time. However, be careful when handling ceramic baking pans as they break easily when dropped accidentally due to the brittleness of the material.
Best Baking Pans
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Cake Pan
A Rust-Free and Non-Stick Pan Ideal for Cakes
The Natural Aluminum cake pan is constructed using pure aluminum. Therefore, it won’t rust and could last a lifetime. Due to aluminum’s excellent heat conductivity, your baked recipes will rise and bake evenly; moreover, its enhanced encapsulated steel rim prevents warping. This baking pan can be washed by hand only, not to mention it’s very easy to clean.
- Can be washed with bare hands
- Rust-free construction
- Very affordable
- Can be easily bent or dented
OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Cake Pan Square
The Ideal Baking Pan for Making Brownies
This pan may seem like just an ordinary baking pan that is perfect for brownies or cinnamon rolls, but in all reality, it is so much more than just that. The pan is priced at a reasonable offer but does not come with a warranty to protect it.
The baking pan is constructed of strong aluminized steel that is perfect for fast and even heat distribution and creates added stability and durability that is sure to last a lifetime. The pan has a double layer coating that is PTFE certified and reinforced with a ceramic coating which provides the ultimate non-stick surface and protects the pan from scratches, corrosion, stains and is abrasion resistant.
The bottom of the pan has been micro textured to promote extra air flow and minimize surface contact when baking for even cooking. The squared and rolled edges provides extra stability and a lip to grab the pan when transferring from the oven. The pan is very easy to clean as it is dishwasher safe as well.
- The pan has been constructed of aluminized steel that provides extra strength and durability that is sure to last a lifetime and fast and even heat distribution across the surfaces of the pan.
- The bottom of the pan has been micro textured to create limited surface to food contact when baking and promote extra air flow.
- The pan has a PTFE free ceramic reinforced coating that provides a non-stick surface and protects the pan from corrosion, abrasions, stains and scratches.
- While the pan is very affordable when compared to others, it does not come with a warranty to protect it.
USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan
Very Efficient When It Comes to Consistency
This baking pan, which is made in the US by USA Pan, is coated with Americoat, a silicone that is PFOA, PTFE, and BPA free. It is designed with a unique corrugated surface that allows air circulation underneath for evenly baked recipes and easy release.
It is made of commercial-grade and heavy gauge aluminized steel which measures 8.5 x 4.75 x 2.75 inches. In addition, it is also made of a mixture of recycled and new steel.
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
- PFOA, PTFE, and BPA free
- Features a corrugated surface design
- Available at an affordable price
- It might be hard to thoroughly clean the pan, especially on its corners
Emile Henry Large Rectangular Baker
Versatile and Resistant to Abrasions
This baking pan by Emile Henry is ceramic, thereby enabling heat retention and keeps food hot even if it has already spent a long time on the dinner table. It is also resistant to sudden temperature changes – you can take it directly into your freezer from the oven without any problems.
Its hard glaze is resistant from scratches, and it’s also ideal for desserts. Lastly, it’s easy to wash with soap and bare-hands, not to mention it comes with a 10-year guaranteed warranty against defects.
- Long lasting and durable construction
- Includes a guaranteed 10-year warranty
- Easy to clean
- Can be used with various recipes
- Might break easily due to its ceramic construction
Nordic Ware Leakproof Springform Pan
Easy Food Release and Easy to Wash
This baking pan is coated with a non-stick coating for quick food release. It is also built with a tight seal for preventing messy leaks and spills. It should be hand washed with mild detergent.
- Non-stick for convenient use
- Affordable price
- Easy to wash
- There were complaints about the pan not being leakproof
Cuisinart AMB-9RCK Cake Pan
Perfect for Round Cakes
This is a 9-inch round cake pan built with heavy-gauged aluminum steel that enables even heat distribution. It is coated with a durable non-stick coating on both the interior and exterior. Also, it can prevent warping in high temperatures due to its thick rolled edges.
- Non-stick construction for convenient use
- Very affordable price
- Easy to wash
- Can be easily be bent or dented
Nordic Ware Platinum Collection Angel Food Cake Pan
Made to Handle Towering Cakes
This cake pan made by Nordic Ware is ideal for multi-layered cakes and sponge cakes. It is made of cast aluminum which enables quick and even heat distribution. It has a premium non-stick coating in the interior for easy release of the cake and easy cleanup. Moreover, it comes with a 16-cup capacity.
- Ensures a perfect result
- Coated with non-stick material for convenient use
- Easy to clean
- Quite expensive
- No warranty offered
Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Cookie Pan
Non-Stick Pan Perfect for Cookies
As the name implies, this baking pan made by Farberware is ideal for baking cookies. Its heavy-duty construction prevents warping while allowing it to distribute heat evenly. It is coated with a non-stick coating inside and out for quick release and easy cleanup. It can be stored easily and can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Durable and long-lasting
- Non-stick feature for convenient use
- Can withstand heat of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Comes with no warranty offered
Emile Henry Classics Pie Dish
No Problem If Stored from Hot to Cold
This is another quality product by Emile Henry which is also made of ceramic, thereby enabling heat retention and keep food hot even if it has already spent a long time on the dinner table. It is also resistant to sudden temperature changes; you can take it directly into your freezer from the oven without any problems.
Its hard glaze is resistant from scratches. It is also easy to wash with soap and bare-hands, and it has a 10-year warranty against defects. It’s basically the same as the Large Rectangular Baker – the only difference is that it’s designed for pies.
- Long lasting and durable
- Features a guaranteed 10-year warranty
- Comes with superior heat retention and even-heat diffusion property
- Its unglazed bottom might end up scratching your oven or countertops
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Muffin Pan
Good Heat Conductor and Perfect for Muffins
This one’s a muffin pan by Nordic Ware that’s built from pure aluminum, thereby preventing rust and enabling long-lasting use. It comes with 12 sockets for your muffins: 3 rows and 4 sockets on each row. The muffins bake evenly thanks to the aluminum’s good heat conductivity. It even comes with reinforced encapsulated steel rim to avoid warping.
- Can be washed with bare hands and easy to clean
- Rust-free due to its aluminum construction
- Features superior heat conductivity
- Can be easily bent or dented
AmazonBasics Nonstick Carbon Steel Bread Pan
Affordable and Multi-Purpose Option
This baking pan is ideal for bread, meat loaves, and many more. It is constructed using heavy-weight carbon-steel, making it durable and exerting superior heat distribution and conductivity. Its coating is non-stick which ensures easy and quick food release. It can also easily withstand an oven’s temperature of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, it is easy to wash by hand.
- Good heat conductivity
- Features a non-stick coating for convenience
- Very affordable
- Offers a 1-year limited warranty
- Some customers complained about the pan rusting after a few washes
Final Thoughts
We know for a fact that baking is a very delicate process. All it takes is one mishap, and all your cakes, bread, sweet treats, and other recipes will be ruined. Therefore, remember to use only the best baking pans to achieve perfect baking results. Moreover, make sure you’re equipped with other baking necessities such as baking sheets, oven mitts, and more.