Looking for stainless steel perforated baking sheet
Hi,
I'm looking for a stainless steel perforated baking sheet. I've searched the web pretty extensively and haven't come across this item yet. I need it to be specifically stainless steel because I'm making pretzels dipped in lye (caustic soda). It cannot be aluminum because the lye reacts with it. I've seen silicon coated perf. baking sheets, but am a little iffy about using them, although would consider it if my fears were laid to rest. The reason it needs to be perforated is because of a problem I've been having with regualr baking sheets. I normally use an insulated cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. The problem is once I dip the pretzels and place them on the sheet there is water build up that sometimes affects the cooking. Some parts remain lighter in color or soggy where there was water. I usually just grab a paper towel and dab it to absorb, but I'm tired of doing this, plus the pref. will help with crispier crust.
Thanks,
Mike
I have never seen or heard of a perforated stainless steel pan designed for baking. You can find perforated stainless steel sheets at metal shop dealers and suppliers but you would need to figure out a way to cut them down to size and bend an edge to avoid getting cut. Here is an example: http://www.metlx.com/Perforated_Metal/Perforated-Metal.html
You can get stainless sheet pans ($$$) and there are a few stainless racks that fit a pan - like this one: http://www.broadwaypanhandler.com/broadway/product.asp?dept_id=&pf_id=wirecoolingrack
I have also seen stainless steel perforated inserts for steam table pans. They have high sides and are not designed for oven use, but you may be able to find a cheap one and try it. For what it's worth, my brother in law worked in the sheet metal department at Lucks Oven Company for many years. He made us some stainless sheet pans and accessories as a gift and while we appreciated the thought, they were too heavy and poor performing in every respect. I gave all mine to Goodwill.
Good luck with your lye bagels.
I have a perforated baking pan and purchased mine through my local restaurant eaquipment supply store. Try your local store to see if they sell them. I live in Georgia.
Could you use a stainless steel cooling rack over a regular stainless steel pan to drain off the lye for a few minutes, then transfer the pretzels to a regular aluminum sheet pan once all the lye has drained off?
I think that would work. Although I think it would be best to buy one with a small mesh/ grate just so the dough doesn't fall through, it gets pretty slippery and the dough tends to be on the strechy side. Thanks for the idea this might save me from needing to have someone fabricate it for me.
Mike, i typed "perforated sheet pan" in google and tons of results instantly came up. the store below is great, have ordered a variety of things from them many times. great prices too. they sell parchement paper sheets too that are cheap and fit the pan perfectly...
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/vollrath-wear-ever-9002p-18-gauge-perforated-full-size-bun-sheet-pan-18-x-26/9369002P.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=9369002P&utm_campaign=PLA&gclid=CPjmze2R2rQCFQ2i4AodHSwAyw
Sorry for the delayed reply. Thanks for the information. I had already searched extensively online and came up with the same results, but I'm not just looking for a "perforated baking sheet" it cannot be an aluminum sheet. This was my main reason for inquiry, because I found a whole bunch of aluminim ones but they react with a chemical used to dip the pretzel. I thought a stainless steel would exist, but no luck so far.
Remember that air is a terrible conductor of heat when compared to metal, so anticipate that the baking of your pretzels is going to change if you have more air under them than metal (when using the perforated sheet).