When shopping for cookware, many people focus so much on pots and pans that they completely overlook an important cooking category: baking sheets. The pans you buy for baking are just as crucial to your success as the pans you buy for cooking, so be sure to choose them carefully.
Bakeware comes in a variety of materials and shapes. If you’re trying to decide whether to buy silicone or glass baking pans, here’s a quick breakdown of the most common material types:
o Aluminum: Aluminum baking sheets are inexpensive and lightweight, and therefore popular. However, they do not brown baked goods well and can react with acidic foods. Cheaper aluminum trays also tend to warp and stain quickly, which means they need to be replaced often. Nonstick, anodized aluminum can reduce some of the disadvantages of less expensive aluminum pans.
o Glass – Glass is a favorite material to use with baking pans because it is non-reactive, easy to clean, browns foods well, and bakes evenly. It tends to last a long time with no visible signs of wear. However, it tends to be expensive and can break if it cools down too quickly.
o Stainless Steel – Although stainless steel looks beautiful and has a highly reflective shine, it is a poor choice for baking because it does not transmit heat well. This will cause it to burn when you bake.
o Stoneware: stone is an excellent material for baking pans, because it transmits and retains heat wonderfully. Helps keep baking hot long after you take it out of the oven. However, stone bakeware can be very expensive.
o Silicone – Silicone baking sheets are new on the market and they work very well. They are flexible, inexpensive, can be frozen or microwaved, and can be easily folded flat to take up less space in your cabinets. Plus, they don’t retain any heat, which means your cooking won’t burn when left in the pan.
When you’re budgeting for your cookware, be sure to remember to factor in your baking sheets as well. Good baking equipment goes a long way in creating beautiful cakes, cookies, tarts, and more.