We Need Good Bakeware!!

December 18, 2006 7:26 PM

My wife once threatened me with death if I ever dared present her with housewares as gifts. "I want real gifts" said she. Fifteen great years later, she wants good bakeware for Christmas. Good is defined as "won't ever rust" and "not that floppy silicone nonsense". So, Mefites, Hope Me!

Where do I find good bakeware? Is there such a thing?

posted by Irontom to food & drink (29 comments total)

Just to clarify--bakeware as in a bundt pan, muffin tin and cookie sheets, or 9x13" dish, pie plates, etc.?
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 7:28 PM on December 18, 2006

Emile Henry enameled bakeware. I have a loaf pan and a baking dish, and they are fantastic. They have the non-stick power of Teflon, but without the worry of chemicals getting in your food or your air, and they look a lot nicer. We got ours at Viking, but you can probably get them at other kitchen stores. There is also a website - emilehenry.com.
posted by starvingartist at 7:31 PM on December 18, 2006

I got my wife a bunch of Le Creuset stuff a few years ago and she says it is the best. They mostly make pots and pans, but they have a few baking dishes that are great. They are very heavy (cast iron) and spread the heat around really nicely. Amazon has a big selection.
posted by Mid at 7:32 PM on December 18, 2006

Go with stoneware or glassware. I prefer glassware; stoneware is porous and kind of a PIA to clean. My wife is a big stoneware fan (but then again, she sold Pampered Chef for a while (first link).
posted by Doohickie at 7:33 PM on December 18, 2006

Le Creuset makes enameled cast iron bakeware. It's expensive, though. Maybe you should take her to a store that sells Le Creuset and let her pick out two pieces she would get the most use out of.
posted by infinitewindow at 7:40 PM on December 18, 2006

If you want cake pans, muffin tins, loaf pans, etc. Chicago Metallic (which primarily servies the baking industry, but has lately been making inroads into Williams Sonoma territory) makes 'em good, but they're not fancy or anything. They're thick and will last forever, though, and come in more shapes and sizes than you can shake a stick at. If you're after something fancier, Le Creuset can't be beat, of course, and you'll leave it to someone in your will.
posted by pullayup at 7:48 PM on December 18, 2006

Oh, right, neither is made of sillicone, or will rust. Do not get nonstick, especially from Le Creuset; it doesn't last.
posted by pullayup at 7:49 PM on December 18, 2006

I second the vote for Chicago Metallic bakeware. Good, solid stuff. Not real glamourous or sexy, but hey if that's what she wants...
posted by pitchblende at 8:22 PM on December 18, 2006

Adding a vote for Le Creuset. It's the best. Not cheap though, but it's very good quality and will last forever.
posted by jasperella at 8:29 PM on December 18, 2006

These people have your back.

So do these guys.
posted by frogan at 8:35 PM on December 18, 2006

DeBuyer copper. Mine are very old and have tin linings. The modern ones are stainless lined and while that is probably easier to cope with, I haven't tried one.
posted by jet_silver at 8:41 PM on December 18, 2006

eh. bakeware. sorry.
posted by jet_silver at 8:42 PM on December 18, 2006

You might have fun shopping at a Williams-Sonoma retail store. It will probably be crowded, but you should be able to get an actual employee to help you.
posted by amtho at 9:20 PM on December 18, 2006

Everything Le Creuset cooks turns out amazingly. If you take a crap in it, and bake it, it'll make delicious cake.

Seriously, though, it's awesome. And, though you wouldn't expect it, incredibly easy to clean.
posted by mkultra at 9:25 PM on December 18, 2006 [3 favorites]

Though if you're looking more for smaller pieces you're more likely to use for desserts, Emile Henry is a good choice.
posted by mkultra at 9:27 PM on December 18, 2006

Another plug here for Le Creuset.
posted by mrbill at 10:10 PM on December 18, 2006

If you take a crap in it, and bake it, it'll make delicious cake.

I know who's house I am not eating at!

I've used a lot of different stuff, Le Creuset is pretty nice, as is the Emile Henry stuff, neither are cheap. Good old Corningware is good for utility baking though if you want cheaper.
posted by Pollomacho at 10:19 PM on December 18, 2006

Yet another vote for Le Creuset. They're wonderful.
posted by greycap at 11:05 PM on December 18, 2006

My sister really likes her Nordic Ware (I think it's cast aluminum).
posted by concrete at 11:11 PM on December 18, 2006

My mother swears by Le Creuset. As far as stores/websites/gift card places to check out: Crate&Barrel, Williams Sonoma, and some other place that completely slipped my mind.
If she has friends whose baking/bakeware she adores, maybe see about finding out what they use.
posted by sperose at 12:42 AM on December 19, 2006

Le Creuset is tops but before you spend a fortune on it retail, look for one of their outlet stores in your area. I've found some great deals at the one near me. FYI, all Le Creuset is covered by a lifetime guarantee which covers just about everything.
posted by hangingbyathread at 12:58 AM on December 19, 2006

from one guy to another--Kitchen aid--i've got a collection growing and i love the pots and pans; great stuff, easy to clean--can get at most places like belk, kholes, etc.
posted by uncballzer at 5:55 AM on December 19, 2006

Wherever you get it, give her this bakeware item on Christmas Eve. Give her the "real present" on Christmas morning.

Surely she has hinted about at least one other item.

(I am not suggesting that I think bakeware is not a real present, but I, uh, would prefer something else myself.)

If you are not certain what exactly she needs to stick in the oven, get her a gift certificate to L.C. - I have several of their pieces, fabulous stuff.
posted by bilabial at 6:53 AM on December 19, 2006

America's Test Kitchen does great testing and reviews. You can find them at americastestkitchen.com

For round cake pans they recommend first the Chicago Metallic Professional Lifetime Non-Stick at $14.95, then Calphalon’s Commercial Nonstick at $18.95.
posted by kc0dxh at 7:28 AM on December 19, 2006

Le Cruset is good but it is heavy and it will knacker cooking times if you don't have it hot to start with (for example, our Cruset casserole adds 15-30 minutes to cook time compared to a pyrex casserole we own).

For our hobtop cooking we use some Pro-Cook (I think) pans made from spun aluminium then pressure sprayed with titanium. They're light, incredibly strong and nonstick with the ability to use metal tools on them. I'm pretty sure they make ovenwear in the same range.
posted by twine42 at 9:01 AM on December 19, 2006

FYI, if you go the Le Creuset route: They sell Le Creuset at our local TJ Maxx and Marshalls for _much_ less than retail. I think they're slightly irregular, but it's nothing I notice when I look at them.
posted by robinpME at 9:04 AM on December 19, 2006

We have a Calphalon bakeware set that has been pretty solid. You just have to give it the same care you would for any other non-stick set.
posted by dr_dank at 9:10 AM on December 19, 2006

For cookie sheets, jelly roll pans, bread pans and cake pans you could get a sheet metal shop that does commercial kitchens to fold up just about any straight side shape (triangles, hexes, octagons) out of stainless steel. I have several cookie sheets made out of the stuff and they are durable, easy to clean, work better than tin cookie sheets and are shiny.
posted by Mitheral at 10:17 AM on December 19, 2006

Restaurant supply stores can be a good source for reliable sheet pans ($7) that work like champs. Waaay better than those overpriced air bake monstrosities. You can also get heat proof spatulas, etc.

Williams-Sonoma is okay, but grossly overpriced in my opinion. Sur La Table has a much wider range of items at all price levels.

If you're considering cookbooks, Dorie Greenspan and Flo Braker are two authors I'd recommend off the top of my head.
posted by Atom12 at 10:24 AM on December 19, 2006