November 17, 2009 - 11:53am
Recommendation for sandwich loaf pans: metal/glass/other?
What is your favorite bread loaf pan?
I am just getting into bread baking and would like to bake leavened sandwich type loaves. What are your preferences for loaf pans that work well for this type of bread? I have used many types of baking pans and have my favorites but I don’t know what would be best for bread. And if metal, is there a certain type and manufacturer that turns out to be better than others? So much goes into making a loaf of bread that I do want to spend the time and energy (and the money) in buying well-performing pans.
Thanks a lot
K.
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or white pans unless your oven tends to burn the bottoms of your loaves or you want white crust around your loaf (for me not an option as browned crusts taste better.)
Dark pans absorb heat faster and brown loaves better, clear glass pans also brown nicely but they break if you drop them or set them hot on a cold surface (thermal shock.)
Check out your local thrift store, it's amazing what you can find there.
I like dark medium weight metal with a non-stick surface.
I bought a couple of these from King Arthur. http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/standard-loaf-bread-pan
I'm sure they are available other places as well. If they work for me they should work for anybody remotely competent.
Kroger in Atlanta has Baker's Secret, dark, non stick, loaf pans on sale for $3/each. Both the 8.5x4.5 and the 9x5 pans for this price.
I'm guessing this is probably for all Kroger corp stores nation wide.
Thank you ! I think everyone is recommending dark, heavy, non-stick metal pans.
Poppy you have had the same pans for 15 years? What great karma/chi those bread pans must have. Never give those away to a tag sale or similar. At least I wouldn't. They are for your children or there children!
WB, I actually might try a silicone one. Rose Levy Beranbaum gushes about silicone pans in her new cake book and I am intrigued. But they vary quite a bit between manufacturers she said.
Dwight, I appreciate you telling me about the sale at Kroger but we don't have that shop here in New York (City).
Ken and Mini, thanks for the tips.
I will look online tonight.
K.
Hands down Chicago Metalic ,along with parchment.
I search for Chicago Metallic, whenever I'm buying baking hardware.
David G
... with a pair of ceramic loaf pans I bought at Kohl's.
Williams Sonoma Exclusive Chicago Metallic Made In the USA loaf pans are excellent.
They also were judged best by Cook's Illustated.I just bought one,Cooked one loaf in it,and one loaf in my Corningware.The The Williams Sonoma Gold pan crust was perfect.The Corningware too light in comparison.I'll be buying another soon(they ARE expensive).
Just this morning ordered 2 more Lodge Cast Iron Loaf Pans - cheaper than WS Gold loaf pans. Love them. I already had one and it made all the difference, even compared to Chicago Metallic which is the other that I have. You have to call the company to order them but they are very pleasant to deal with and ship right away.