Comments on: We Need Good Bakeware!!

Question: We Need Good Bakeware!!

Irontom — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:26:47 -0800

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?

By: Emperor SnooKloze

Emperor SnooKloze — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:28:43 -0800

Just to clarify--bakeware as in a bundt pan, muffin tin and cookie sheets, or 9x13" dish, pie plates, etc.?

By: starvingartist

starvingartist — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:31:53 -0800

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.

By: Mid

Mid — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:32:42 -0800

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.

By: Doohickie

Doohickie — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:33:23 -0800

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).

By: infinitewindow

infinitewindow — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:40:32 -0800

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.

By: pullayup

pullayup — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:48:11 -0800

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.

By: pullayup

pullayup — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 19:49:39 -0800

Oh, right, neither is made of sillicone, or will rust. Do not get nonstick, especially from Le Creuset; it doesn't last.

By: pitchblende

pitchblende — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:22:40 -0800

I second the vote for Chicago Metallic bakeware. Good, solid stuff. Not real glamourous or sexy, but hey if that's what she wants...

By: jasperella

jasperella — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:29:11 -0800

Adding a vote for Le Creuset. It's the best. Not cheap though, but it's very good quality and will last forever.

By: frogan

frogan — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:35:01 -0800

These people have your back.

So do these guys.

By: jet_silver

jet_silver — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:41:38 -0800

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.

By: jet_silver

jet_silver — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:42:53 -0800

eh. bakeware. sorry.

By: amtho

amtho — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:20:57 -0800

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.

By: mkultra

mkultra — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:25:49 -0800

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.

By: mkultra

mkultra — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:27:58 -0800

Though if you're looking more for smaller pieces you're more likely to use for desserts, Emile Henry is a good choice.

By: mrbill

mrbill — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:10:07 -0800

Another plug here for Le Creuset.

By: Pollomacho

Pollomacho — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:19:51 -0800

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.

By: greycap

greycap — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 23:05:17 -0800

Yet another vote for Le Creuset. They're wonderful.

By: concrete

concrete — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 23:11:46 -0800

My sister really likes her Nordic Ware (I think it's cast aluminum).

By: sperose

sperose — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:42:09 -0800

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.

By: hangingbyathread

hangingbyathread — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:58:22 -0800

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.

By: uncballzer

uncballzer — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 05:55:14 -0800

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.

By: bilabial

bilabial — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 06:53:55 -0800

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.

By: kc0dxh

kc0dxh — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 07:28:41 -0800

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.

By: twine42

twine42 — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 09:01:18 -0800

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.

By: robinpME

robinpME — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 09:04:17 -0800

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.

By: dr_dank

dr_dank — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 09:10:07 -0800

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.

By: Mitheral

Mitheral — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:17:15 -0800

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.

By: Atom12

Atom12 — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:24:37 -0800

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.