The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Large bread pans

lmirage's picture
lmirage

Large bread pans

Where can I find large commercial bread pans?  I want to make the big loaf like commercial breads.  The biggest loaf pan I can find is 9X5X5.  It doesn't really make a satisfying sandwich with a tiny slice.

loafette's picture
loafette

Your best, and least expensive bet would be a commercial supplier....here's one link...:

 

http://www.katom.com/225-40491.html

Another...:

http://www.americanpan.com/products/open-top-bread-panstins

If you are in an area with a restaurant supplier, check out their used equipment...I have several sets of strapped 'regular' 8.5x4.5 pans that I purchased for under $10.00, used. Old Chicago Metallic, and as sturdy as can be, and they fit a normal home/consumer oven.

Laura :0))

 

 

 

 

clazar123's picture
clazar123

When I started making our sandwich bread for lunches, I was in the same dilemma. I did not like the shape that the typical loaf pans gave to the bread-too small and I HATED the "shoulders". I love the shape of the commercial wide pan breads so I thought I'd try to find a pan to make that shape. The pans are available but hard to find. In going on that journey, I learned an important lesson. Take a look in your cupboard at your corning glass casseroles. The perfect pan is the 1.5 quart rectangular pan. I have also learned of other options such as a rectangular angel food pan. It is 5" deep so each slice is taller and more square. If you have a thrift store nearby, there are often many pans, casseroles and other items useful for breadmaking that are not so expensive. So think of what you want to have as the outcome and start looking at what you already have in your cupboard. No pan should be single use.

I hope this is helpful!

lmirage's picture
lmirage

Thank you for the comments.  Bigger slices also means more crumb on each slice.  I eat Japanese loaves and I really like how their loaves are bigger (like 8x8 I think).  Making them is a different story.  But you certainly gave me ideas.  I'll take a look at other kinds of pans.

Feel the Knead's picture
Feel the Knead

The only thing I've found, thus-far, that results in a good-sized loaf is this Anchor Hocking glass pan, available virtually anywhere:  http://www.amazon.com/Anchor-Hocking-Glass-Loaf-Pan/dp/B001JEPCTU

If I am not mistaken, it is a 1.5 quart pan, so it would be the same as what clazar123 suggested.  Just nowhere near as cute.  ;o)

 

I tried this commercial pan, but it is just plain awful.  It actually produces the worst loaf of all the pans I have tried.  It's great and heavy and sturdy, but I can't get a decent loaf out of it, despite changing every possible variable.  Some folks really like it though, so... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YKGRLO/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wish (oh how I wish) Sam's carried a loaf version of their 'Baker's Choice' brand, as one reviewer recommended in a comment.  Apparently they used to, but either don't anymore, or it's just that none of our stores carry them.  

 

clazar123's picture
clazar123

Steam table pans are available at restaurant supply places and come in many different sizes and depths.

http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/update-international/njp-336/p1454436.aspx

 

Here is an ebay auction for the corningware with dimensions:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corning-Ware-Blue-Cornflower-P-4-B-Rectangular-Casserole-Baking-Dish-1-1-2-Qt-/181174378733?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a2ed5a0ed

 

Here is the angel food pan with dimensions:

http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Aluminum-2-Inch-Long-Loaf/dp/B00024WNOU/ref=sr_1_6?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1374453339&sr=1-6&keywords=loaf+pan+large

 

I have also used empty food cans-perhaps a round loaf? I once bought 24 cans of sliced water chestnuts because I wanted to use the cans to bake mini brioches. What an adventure! I still don't want to see another water chestnut.