If you are the ocassional cookie and brownie baker, then it probably really doesn’t matter that much what type of bakeware you use. However, if you are into baking and bake a lot, the type of bakeware you use can greatly affect your product. Here is a run down of what’s available and what you need to know about it in order to get delicious baked goods every time.
In general, darker pans heat more quickly and retain heat longer. Obviously this affects how long to leave something in the oven and when to take it out. Again, it’s not really an issue for cookies or brownies but more delicate pastries like pies for example, will burn if they heat too quickly.
Stainless Steel Bakeware
This is probably the least favorite of bakers. It has poor heat conductivity, consequently your baked goods can brown too quickly on top and not cook thoroughly enough on the bottom. On the other hand, stainless steel cookware will last forever.
Aluminum Cookware
Aluminum bakeware is cheap. Sometimes (albeit rarely) it can react with the ingredients in your dish. Because it is cheap, it dents and scratches easily and has a shorter shelf life.
Glass Bakeware
One big advantage to glass bakeware is that it heats evenly. You can see what you’re cooking and it is very sturdy. . .unless of course you drop it.
Silicone
Silicone bakeware is all the rage and it seems like if you go into the stores now, that’s what you find everywhere. The big advantage to silicone bakeware is that it is lightweight and portable. It can also withstand very high temperatures as well as freezing. However, I find that sticking can be an issue and I have to but just a tad bit more careful about how I grease the pan.
Personally, I prefer to own a variety of bakeware. I find that there isn’t one perfect pan for every job but that the perfect pan for the job depends on whether or not I plan on taking it somewhere, what type of baked goodie I’m making, and how I need to store it for later.
Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.
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