How to Choose Bakeware – A Guide For Beginners

Baking can be a very rewarding experience for a lot of people out there. But baking is incomplete without the right utensils. Along with a whole array of kitchen appliances and tools, bakeware is an essential part of any baking project. The right pans and dishes allow you to create the perfect baked goods. Whether you are just starting out on this journey or just looking to expand your baking collection, we can help. We have gathered all the basic information you need to know when buying bakeware for your kitchen. From the kind of bakeware to the sizes and materials you need, this article will help you to choose the right bakeware for you.

Must-have Bakeware

Bakeware is made to withstand extreme temperatures and while most people would prefer to use whatever is available to them, people who bake often need something more. Whether you’re a professional baker, a food blogger or just someone who enjoys baking at home, you should always buy yourself bakeware that suits your needs. We have put together a list of basic bakeware that you will need on your baking journey.

Cake Pans

 

While there are many different types of cake pans that you can choose from, we are specifically referring to the round and square tin pans. No detachable bottoms or adjustable sides, a simple baking dish. Cakes are one of the first things most people bake. Hence, a round cake pan is almost necessary when you are going to delve into baking regularly.

Square pans are popularly known as brownie pans since they are perfect for baking brownies. The square allows you to make equally divided brownies every time. Along with that, square pans are also great for making baked or non-baked bars and cobblers.

 

Springform Pans

 

Easy-release pans have been a much-loved invention among bakers. The fact that you can easily remove the sides of the cake from the pan without breaking it, is truly touching. While the pan is usually used for cheesecakes, it can also be used for cakes with slightly wet batters. The pan offers a tight seal that prevents any batter from leaking out.

 

Baking Sheets

No, we are not referring to silicone sheets that are often used to make macarons. Baking sheets are flat and rectangular dishes but have a little bit of depth to them. They are often used to make sheet cakes, pastries and cookies.

Cookies sheets are also popular among those who bake cookies very often. They are similar to baking sheets, in the sense, that they are flat and rectangular as well. But cookie sheets are supposed to make your life a little easier with one raised edge and three-flat sides. This makes it easier for you to slide the cookies out of the sheet.

Muffin Pans

 

Frankly, the name is enough. Muffin or cupcake pans are perfect for baking muffins and cupcakes. The tiny moulds hold the shape of the cake while it bakes giving you cute looking cupcakes every time. Moreover, there are so many more things you can bake using cupcake/muffin pans.

Loaf Pans

 

Are you a fan of baking bread at home? Then a loaf pan is exactly what you need. In fact, you cannot do without a loaf pan if you like baking bread. While it is not necessary to bake bread in the form of a loaf every time, it sure does make things much easier.

Pie Dish

I LOVE PIE! – If that is your life’s motto, then maybe having a pie dish might come in handy. From single-crust pies to tarts, pie dishes allow you to make all kinds of pies. Create a variety of pies at home with just a single pie dish, to be honest, that is all you need.

Roasting Dish

 

Baking is not all about baking cakes and muffins. In fact, most people tend to bake more savoury foods at home than sweet stuff. Roasting dishes are a great investment especially if you like to roast a whole bird in one go. They are also great for baking lasagnas and bakes cheesecakes.

 

The Average Bakeware Sizes

 

Most baking recipes refer to the size of the pan since it is an important factor in determining whether the dish is cooked or not. This is especially true for cakes since you can’t cut into them to check if they are cooked or not. Hence, getting standard sized bakeware is the best way to ensure that you are spot on with your recipes every time you bake.

 

The Standard Cake and Pie Pan

 

20 cm and 23 cm, that is, 8” and 9” cake pan sizes respectively are the two most commonly used sizes. If you are planning on baking cakes these are the sizes you will require almost every time. The same goes for pie dishes.

For cake pans, you also need to make sure that the pan is not shallow. The cake batter needs to fill up at least 2/3rd of the pan. There needs to be enough space left for the cake to rise during the baking process and not spill over.

 

Perfect Square Brownies

 

It is possible to have the perfect square piece of brownie if you have a square brownie pan. We would recommend buying an 8” x 8” brownie pan. It gives you the opportunity to have frustratingly perfect squares of brownie whenever you bake a batch.

 

The Perfect Pan for the Perfect Bread

 

These pans are usually quite deep which is an important requirement for loaf pans. 9” x 5” pans are the standard size for loaf pans. This gives you the perfect loaf every time and usually, bread recipes would ask for a loaf pan of this size as well.

 

It is best to have more cupcakes

 

There are usually three standard sizes for cupcake/muffin pans. 12 cups are usually the average that most people go for. But if you don’t want to bake too many cupcakes at once then for 6 cup pan. On the other hand, if you are a cupcake enthusiast then go for a 24-cup muffin pan.

 

Vessel for your Sunday Roasts

 

Roasting pans are available in a few sizes and which one you get depends on how much food you plan on roasting at once. 14”-16” pans are perfect for roasting a whole bird. Just make sure you buy one with good depth and handles on the sides. The handles are necessary to ensure that you can pick up the whole dish since it almost always is heavy.

 

Bakeware Materials

 

The different types of materials you use when it comes to kitchenware are endless. Glass, ceramic, steel and silver to name a few are the materials that people use around the kitchen. From pots and pans to plates and cutlery, you get to select the kind of materials you want in your kitchen. The same goes for bakeware. Bakeware has come a long way over the years and now you can find baking pans and dishes available in different materials. Each of these materials is good for different purposes.

 

Cast Iron

 

There is something about cast iron that makes it quite irresistible to people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen. While it is mostly used on stovetops, it can also be put in the oven. Whether you’re baking sourdough bread, slow-cooking meat or finishing off a frittata in the oven, cast-iron pots and pans are a great investment. You kill two birds with one stone here by having the option to use them over the stovetop or in the oven.

 

Glass

 

While glass is not a material that bakers usually go for since it takes time to heat up compared to metals. But it can get very hot. Glass is a great option for people who like to make brownies and cobblers. Your brownies will always come out perfectly crisp on the sides and top and gooey in the middle.

 

Stainless Steel

 

This is by far the best material when it comes to bakeware. Stainless steel bakeware is very durable and heats up perfectly. It is usually used by professionals, so it has to be good. Stain removal is not a problem with stainless steel if you know how to use them. Moreover, you will never have to worry about rusting or corrosion of any kind.

 

 

Aluminized Steel

 

This is another excellent option, especially for baking cakes. If you are looking for an affordable and durable option then this is perfect. Aluminized steel is completely safe when put under high temperatures and heats up quite quickly. This is one of the reasons why it is perfect for cakes.

 

Silicone

 

 

While silicone is often used just like a sheet for baking macarons or cookies, you do get silicone bakeware. From cupcake pans to brownie moulds, there are a lot of silicone bakeware options. It is a great option and an eco-friendly one at that. Silicone is affordable and can stand the temperature of the oven as well as your freezer. The only problem is structural integrity as it is quite malleable, however that shouldn’t be a problem if you place it on a flat surface in the oven. Furthermore, silicone is not as durable as stainless steel and will lose its form eventually. However, you can ensure that it lasts longer if you only use the product at its recommended temperature.

 

Stoneware

 

 

We would always recommend stoneware if you’re a pie fanatic. Stoneware is usually deeper than your normal baking pots making it perfect for pie. Moreover, stoneware is meant for such high temperatures. The best part about this material is that it can go straight from the oven to the dining table. Stone pots and pans are usually very pretty to look at, hence they can be used as serving dishes as well.

 

How To Clean Bakeware?

 

Keeping your bakeware clean is of the utmost importance. No matter what kind of material you are dealing with, you need to know how to clean your bakeware.

 

• Always follow the cleaning instructions the product comes with. Many oven safe pots and pans come with specific cleaning instructions, so it’s best to follow that to ensure they last longer.

• Buy sturdy materials. Thin and flimsy bakeware may be cheaper but it is definitely not going to last long. Moreover, they will easily warp due to the high oven temperatures.

• It is best to use baking paper or any other cooking liner to avoid having to clean up those annoying stains.

• We recommend not putting your bakeware in the dishwasher. Instead, wash them by hand with slightly warm soapy water.

• Never wash bakeware when it is hot. The sudden change in temperature can cause the pan to warp or if it has a coating it can easily corrode.

• If you have non-stick bakeware, use nonstick sprays very sparsely. Using too much nonstick spray can cause a buildup in the pans that can be quite hard to clean.

 

Lastly, store your bakeware in a dry place and of course, dry them before you store them. Just these simple steps will ensure that your bakeware lasts long.