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Choosing the right baking pan is crucial for good results. Aluminum and silicone pans are popular, while stainless steel is strong but heats unevenly. Glass and ceramic pans cook evenly but can be prone to chipping. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type before making a choice.
When it comes to baking, the right tools can have a big effect on the end results. The right skillet can mean the difference between a well-baked, evenly baked loaf of homemade bread and a nasty, patchy mess. To choose the right pan, first decide what you’re going to do in the oven and whether you want it to turn brown or light, how the pan will ultimately be stored, and how long you’ll need it to last. The pans are available in aluminum, silicone, stainless steel, glass and ceramic or stone. Carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type as you try to choose the best one for your needs.
Pots come in many shapes and sizes. Standard pan dimensions are approximately 9 inches long by 5 wide by 3 deep (23 x 13 x 8 cm) and hold approximately 6 to 8 cups (1.42 to 1.89 liters) of batter. This size works well for baking a variety of products such as yeast breads and dessert breads or loaves such as banana bread. Smaller pots or “mini” pots can be as small as 4.5 by 2.5 by 1.5 inches (11.43 by 6.35 by 3.81 cm) and hold about 1.5 cups (0.35 liters ) of batter. These pans are ideal for dessert loaves that will be given as gifts and can also be found as a single pan with multiple inserts.
Aluminum skillets are among the most popular, due to their convenience and consistent results. They conduct heat smoothly and evenly and resist rust and damage. Nonstick aluminum loaf pans make it easy to remove the finished product from the pan without scratching or breaking the loaf, but they can scratch more easily than unfinished surfaces. If you want lighter breads and soft, moist interiors, you’ll get good results from aluminum, but these pans aren’t the most durable. Foil pans work well for baking gift breads.
Silicone pans are a new innovation in the cooking world and are highly regarded for their ability to cool quickly. They will not rust, dent or scratch and can be used in the oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher. An important advantage of the silicone pan is its flexibility, which allows baked goods to be easily removed and stored in small spaces.
While stainless steel cookware is considered to be some of the strongest cookware on the market, it does have issues with heating evenly. Stainless steel is desired for its scratch-resistant and easy-to-clean surface. These may be more expensive than other metal pans, but they’re built to last.
A glass pan will last a long time but can be difficult to store without chips or cracks. They are also prone to breakage when moving hot glass to colder temperatures or vice versa. While glass is a good conductor of heat, dense loaves may cook faster on the outside, leaving the inside undercooked.
Ceramic or stoneware skillets are prone to the same problems as glass skillets in terms of chipping or breaking, but are highly desired for even cooking. The loaves reach the ideal browning and keep the insides well cooked. Ceramic and stoneware skillets become more nonstick and cook more evenly with time and use, or “seasoning.” For this reason, a seasoned loaf pan can last for generations and become an heirloom piece, although it tends to be more expensive than other loaf materials.
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