Buying guide for Best bakeware sets
From warm apple pie to crunchy roasted potatoes, a world of delicious food options opens up when you have a good bakeware set. Armed with tried-and-true recipes, quality bakeware sets allow you to produce some delectable dishes.
Whether you're stocking the kitchen in a first home or replacing an old bakeware set, you might not know where to start. After all, you can find all kinds of sets, featuring various pieces, made from a range of materials, so how do you tell which one is right for you?
What's included in a bakeware set?
Just to make things complicated, there's no such thing as a standard bakeware set. Different sets contain different combinations of pieces. Your chosen bakeware set may contain all or some of the following. Think about what you want to bake and choose your set accordingly.
Cake pans
Most bakeware sets contain at least one pair of round cake pans for creating layer cakes. Some sets may contain a couple of pairs in different sizes. Round cake pans may be springform types or have fixed or push-out bottoms. Some sets also contain a loaf pan for making loaf cakes, quick breads, and yeast loaves.
Baking trays and sheets
Baking trays are rectangular dishes with a shallow rim. These are useful for cooking a range of foods, from flat sponges for jelly rolls or opera cakes to frozen oven fries.
Baking sheets are similar to trays but rimless. These are excellent for cookies or for transferring pizza dough onto a pizza stone.
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Before you buy a set, make sure the pieces fit in your cabinets. Save space by standing cookie sheets on their side and stacking nesting pieces.
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Baking dishes
Baking dishes have deep sides and so are suitable for a range of baking and roasting tasks. While you can find oval baking dishes, most are square or rectangular. Most bakeware sets include at least two baking dishes of different sizes. Square eight-by-eight-inch or nine-by-nine-inch dishes are ideal for brownies and other traybakes. Larger rectangular dishes are great for cooking a wide range of foods, including lasagna, casseroles, and roasted vegetables.
Muffin pans
Unless you rarely bake sweet food, consider a bakeware set that contains at least one muffin pan. Muffins and cupcakes are popular sweet treats, so most bakers get plenty of use out of these pans. The most common addition to a bakeware set is a standard-size 12-cup muffin pan, but you can also find giant muffin pans that make six large muffins and mini muffin pans that make 24 small muffins.
Pie pans
If you like to bake pies, a pie pan is a must-have in your bakeware set. A nine- or ten-inch pan is the most common option for pie recipes. Some sets may also include tart and/or quiche pans.
Ramekins
Ramekins are small, round dishes that are ideal for baking individual desserts, soufflés, and pot pies. While not everyone will need ramekins, some bakers use them often.
Bakeware set materials
Aluminum
Pros: Aluminum bakeware sets are lightweight and tend to be inexpensive. The dishes conduct heat well for even browning.
Cons: Aluminum bakeware is thin, so it can warp with regular use. Some pieces have a nonstick coating that scratches off easily.
Carbon steel
Pros: Carbon steel bakeware sets are heavy-duty and highly durable. These sets are naturally nonstick without the use of chemical coatings.
Cons: Carbon steel isn't a great conductor of heat. These bakeware sets can be expensive.
Cast iron
Pros: Cast iron bakeware is durable enough to last a lifetime if properly cared for. It retains heat extremely well and cooks food evenly.
Cons: Cast iron is extremely heavy, so dishes can be hard to handle when full. It tends to be fairly expensive, too.
Expert TIp
If you use pan spray, avoid using it with nonstick bakeware as it leaves a baked-on residue over time. Attempts to remove the residue could damage the nonstick coating. Instead, try using a layer of butter or oil in your pan, then coating that with flour or sugar for an all-natural release aid.
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Ceramic
Pros: Ceramic is a great insulator and tends to cook food well. It's also attractive and makes ideal oven-to-table ware.
Cons: Ceramic bakeware sets usually include only baking dishes and ramekins, so they're not ideal if you want to bake cakes.
Ovenproof glass
Pros: Most ovenproof glass bakeware is dishwasher safe. Since you can look at the food from all angles as it cooks, this bakeware helps prevent over-browning and burning.
Cons: Ovenproof glass doesn't conduct heat as well as metal.
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If you like to use ceramic and glass sets, try slipping a paper towel between stacked pieces to prevent chipping. This also works with nonstick sets to prevent scratching.
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Bakeware set prices
Aluminum
Expect to pay between $15 and $80 for an aluminum bakeware set, depending on how many pieces it contains.
Carbon steel
Small carbon steel bakeware sets with just a few pieces start between $15 and $20. Large, high-end sets can cost up to $100.
Cast iron
While you can find small cast iron bakeware sets (with just a couple of pieces) for around $20, large sets could cost several hundred dollars.
Ceramic
Expect to pay anywhere between $25 and $150 for a ceramic bakeware set, depending on the size, quality, and manufacturer.
Ovenproof glass
Basic ovenproof glass cookware sets start at around $20. Large sets can cost as much as $100.
Tips
Check the size of the pieces in your set. Make sure the pieces are the correct size to meet your needs. For instance, if you're cooking for a large family, you'll need larger dishes.
Opt for durability. The most durable, hard-wearing bakeware sets cost more. However, a high-end set might make financial sense in the long run because it could last 20 years, while a set half the price might last only five.
Consider the food you like to bake. It's all very well to have a bakeware set that contains six different cake pans, but if you rarely bake anything other than savory food, they'll just end up gathering dust.
- Think about replacements. If matching bakeware is important to you, check how easy it would be to get pieces individually to replace any that get lost, worn, or broken.
FAQ
Q. How should I care for my bakeware to keep it in good condition?
A. Taking good care of your bakeware can increase its longevity. Follow these tips to help keep it in top-notch condition.
If your bakeware has a nonstick coating, never use metal utensils on it because metal can scratch off the coating.
Follow the care and washing instructions. These vary depending on the material.
Make sure you thoroughly dry your metal bakeware before storing it to avoid the chance of rust or corrosion.
Be careful when storing your bakeware because stacking could chip or dent more fragile pieces.
Q. Can I put my bakeware in the microwave to reheat its contents?
A. If you have any kind of metal bakeware, never put it in the microwave. Most ceramic and Pyrex bakeware is microwave safe, but check the manufacturer's specs before you nuke it.
Q. What other baking essentials do I need for a well-stocked kitchen?
A. Having the right tools is essential for anyone who loves cooking or baking. If you don't have the right equipment and accessories, you might be caught short when you want to try a new recipe. While the following list isn’t exhaustive, avid cooks and beginning bakers should pick up the following baking equipment.
