Telling Bakeware Pans Apart

By Jack Bennington

Home cooks who like to bake and want to learn more about the differences in bakeware pans and novice home bakers will find this information of use. Baking recipes can specify the type of pan to be used. You may need to substitute pans for what is required in the recipe if you do not have it available at home. This is relevant, as a pan that is not a close substitute in size and volume, will require cooking temperature and baking time to be adjusted accordingly. The material can affect the result and you need to be mindful of this fact. For instance, a dark pigment facilitates browning due to more receptive to heat absorption. While, glass pans are slow to heat and retain heat longer.

The materials used in baking pans

Aluminum cooking pans can be made from aluminum foil, heavy gauge aluminum or thinner material or anodized aluminum. This material conducts heat well and produces consistency in the texture and color of the baked item; but, if your product needs browning keep in mind its reflective surface may inhibit browning if you are not cooking with anodized aluminum. Heavy gauge aluminum will not warp as thinner aluminum material may under high temperatures. This material will not rust. Acidic foods reacts to aluminum, so avoid use of aluminum pans for this purpose.

Disposable aluminum foil could be reused. Foil dents, if mishandled. If you want to give away your cooking; or are cooking for a crowd, this is a good choice.

Glass or stone material has some difference between the two. Glass conducts heat efficiently and browning is no problem. Heat is retained longer in glass than metal, so food will be warm longer after you take it out of the oven. Acidic food may be cooked. Transferring from the oven to the fridge or freezer should not be done directly as it requires intermediate cooling. Stay clear of metal scrapers or abrasive cleaners. Distribution of heat is even in stoneware and like glass it retains heat. It does not heat quickly. Stone may stick initially, when you should brush it with oil on the surface; but, overtime develops a nonstick surface naturally. It is fragile under extreme temperature changes. Food clumping will not cook food properly, which needs to be distributed across the surface better. Frozen foods need to be thawed in the fridge before they are put in the oven. Avoid connection to a direct heat source. Stone is also the material used on plates to replicate the environment of a brick floored oven.

Silicone, a recent introduction it is used for baking molds. It is lighter than other material, is nonstick, can be folded for storage and washed in the dishwasher. It may have temperature sensitivity, so do not place under broiler or any direct heat source. Do not use sharp materials when handling silicone to prevent scoring. This material does not conduct heat; rather it facilitates even heat transference to the baking item; hence, cooking also stops upon removal from the oven. This substance can also be used in the freezer, as its tolerance is negative forty degrees Fahrenheit. Before initial use, apply some oil to condition the surface. Do follow manufacturer instructions.

Material improvements and their benefits

Aluminum when it is anodized has additional properties. Silver or hard anodized baking material is the two versions of aluminum in this state. The former has an outer hardened layer making it stronger. Sharp material should still not be used for cleaning or taking out stuck on food. The hard anodized type is even stronger. Metal cooking spatulas or spoons may be used; but care should still be taken on contact with sharp items. The dark surface makes cooking even faster. Do not you wash in dishwashers as may release chemicals. Wash by hand and soak if necessary to remove food attached to the pan.

Nonstick bakeware is constructed from steel or aluminum and has a nonstick coating for facilitating cleaning and also removal of the food. The dark nonstick surface absorbs heat quickly so how long you cook may change to accommodate this property. Do not use metal as it can peel off the coating. You should not cook any food at high temperature as it leads to leeching of the nonstick chemical into the food and may affect your health.

Insulated ware has two metal layers with an air layer cushion that promotes even baking and resists burn. With a good nonstick coat it will resist sticking. There is gradual heating which can lengthen cooking time. The material it is constituted of and if it has a nonstick coat will influence how you maintain it.

Unless it is a tinned steel pan, stainless steel is a poor heat conducting material for bakers. Coated with tin heat conductivity improves with the pan being able to heat consistently and gradually. Surface darkens with age and speeds up its cooking properties. It tends to rust, so drying carefully after washing is necessary.

Pan size, volume and removable parts

The types of bakeware suit the product. But, sometimes you may not have what you need. Then you have to make do if you can; and adjust accordingly, if necessary. You may also want to try the pans with extractable parts for ease of food removal. - 32190

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