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Banana bread is a snacking staple in my family. I typically bake it in a muffin pan, however extra usually in a loaf pan as a result of I desire the outcomes. Does one really want a loaf pan? I say sure. They’re designed to create that quintessential loaf form all of us count on.
However they carry extra weight than simply banana bread. Their sharp edges encourage the bread to rise larger, making them particularly useful for sandwich loaves. They will also be used conveniently to make small-batch lasagna and even casseroles.
To check for the most effective loaf pans, I baked dozens of yeasted sandwich loaves and batter breads. With so many choices obtainable, we evaluated the outcomes of varied supplies like aluminized metal, ceramic, glass, and forged iron. We needed a pan that carried out nicely however was simple to make use of and clear. Not all of them baked up the identical outcomes, so learn on for my favorites.
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Though the All-Clad is a bigger loaf pan, it made the most effective loaves in every take a look at no matter its composition. It’s created from grey metal with a nonstick coating on each side. The oblong pan has slight handles and rounded bottoms.
The pan does a great job of distributing warmth, and I had no points with over or underbaking with this pan. It’s a very mild pan, so transferring or dealing with aren’t any issues. The nonstick floor was extremely efficient, and all loaves of bread simply flipped out and left no crumbs. The form additionally didn’t make getting loaves of bread out difficult. I additionally appreciated how simple it was to scrub. You probably did want to notice that this won’t be as tall as a result of it’s a wider pan and a darker end, so you could want to cut back the cooking time.Â
Materials: Aluminized metal | Temperature Vary: 450°F | Dimensions: 12 x 4 x 3 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Sure | Microwave-safe: No
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USA Pan makes a few of my favourite bakeware and performs nicely in our checks. That is an aluminum loaf pan with ridges on the within and rolled edges. It has no handles however a rolled edge, which might lure moisture if not dried nicely earlier than storage. Since it’s aluminum, it can not go within the dishwasher, which has at all times been a unfavorable for me. It nonetheless performs nicely and is extra of a commercial-style pan that yields one-pound loaves.Â
It’s a very mild pan, so there aren’t any issues transferring or dealing with it. The nonstick floor was extremely efficient so long as I greased it appropriately. I’ve owned this pan for round 5 years, and testing it in opposition to a more moderen mannequin was fascinating. I’m glad to have one other as a result of it performs nicely, particularly with sandwich loaves, which I usually make in pairs.Â
Materials: Aluminized metal | Temperature Vary: 450°F | Dimensions: 10 x 5 x 3 inches | Dishwasher-safe: No, hand wash | Microwave-safe: NoÂ
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I’ve at all times used steel pans to bake bread, so I used to be pleasantly stunned by Emile Henry’s ceramic white loaf pan. It isn’t too heavy, however it’s heavier than others in our take a look at. It may additionally stand up to larger temperatures than most steel pans. The pan has slight handles for dealing with. It’s rectangular with rounded corners and bottoms. The form didn’t make it difficult to take away loaves of bread.
Deciding between the 2 pans was extremely troublesome, however the Emile Henry got here out on high in a head-to-head with the Le Creuset. It baked higher bread and did a superb job of distributing warmth. I had no points with over or underbaking with this pan. It is advisable grease the pan per the producer, and all of the breads flipped out with ease. One other perk of this loaf pan is that it might go within the dishwasher, whereas most others on our record can not.
Materials: Ceramic | Temperature Vary: 500°F | Dimensions: 11 x 5.5 x 3 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Sure | Microwave-safe: Sure
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I acquired a Williams Sonoma Goldtouch Bakeware set for my marriage ceremony over a decade in the past, and my authentic loaf pan remains to be going robust. The one draw back is that the painted nonstick gold of the commercial-grade aluminized metal can scratch with the unsuitable utensils. It does a great job of distributing warmth. I had no points with over or underbaking with this pan.Â
The pan has no handles, only a lip. It’s, nevertheless, a really mild pan, so there aren’t any points when transferring or dealing with. The outside is folded steel, which WS says makes for a stronger pan. Its development additionally enhances the pan’s capacity to create tall loaves. Additionally it is stunning to have a look at, and better of all? You’ll be able to throw it within the dishwasher. It might be dearer than others, however it’ll final a very long time.Â
Materials: Aluminized metal | Temperature Vary: 450°F | Dimensions: 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.8 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Sure | Microwave-safe: NoÂ
Our Favourite Loaf Pan
We awarded the All-Clad Professional-Launch Nonstick Bakeware Loaf Pan as our greatest total loaf pan. It gave us the most effective outcomes and launched them simply. The Emile Henry French Ceramic Potter Loaf Pan was a better runner-up, with a better most temperature however extra breakability. Each are glorious pans, and I stored them in my kitchen after the testing concluded.
Elements to Contemplate
Materials
Loaf pans are available in forged iron, glass, aluminum, metal, ceramic, and extra. A darker end will make loaves of bread brown sooner than light-colored pans. {Most professional} kitchens use steel pans similar to aluminum or aluminized metal with a extra industrial end that’s extra sturdy for day by day use. Dwelling bakers have extra flexibility and might use different supplies like glass, forged iron, or ceramic. Of the alternatives on the market, we desire ceramic. I preferred the way it carried out, and it additionally has the very best warmth capability out of all of the supplies we tried. Many steel pans solely attain 400°F, whereas ceramic can stand up to 500°F.Â
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Design
The dimensions and form of a loaf pan will decide how excessive and extensive a completed loaf can be. The extra extreme edge makes for a better pan. Rounded corners simply didn’t make properly formed loaves. Most loaf pans have a capability for one-pound loaves, however some wider kinds have an additional pound of capability. So, in the event you like a big loaf, take note of the capability. Some pans have rounded edges the place moisture can get trapped, and others are sealed. There are additionally these with handles that make it simpler to switch out and in of the oven.Â
Care
Many loaf pans can go within the dishwasher, which is a welcomed function provided that many batter-style breads are extremely sticky. Others, similar to forged iron, require the additional step of seasoning the pan, so contemplate how a lot elbow grease you wish to put into your bakeware.
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How We Examined Loaf Pans
Earlier than I received to baking, I first evaluated the design and development of every pan. It is essential that the pans we advocate be well-made and final a very long time. When it got here to testing the pans, I broke up the baking into numerous phases.
- First take a look at: I used every pan to make a banana bread or chocolate olive oil loaf. I needed a closing product with a good condition and rise. Even coloration was additionally essential as a result of some pans have sizzling spots. After baking, I evaluated if any residue was left caught to the inside.
- Second take a look at: People who carried out nicely moved on to the subsequent section of yeasted loaves of bread. I needed to make sure the form I labored exhausting to create in folds stayed and that I might get sufficient loft. Brief sandwich loaves are fairly unhappy when sliced for sandwiches and French toast.
- Third take a look at: The final bake was with the ultimate spherical of six winners who made it via the primary two. I used these to bake sourdough loaves, which I usually do in my loaf pans. Since I’ve a variety of expertise with how they need to and shouldn’t carry out, evaluating the loaves to how they normally carry out in my present pans was fascinating.
- Fourth take a look at: Lastly, I did some miscellaneous checks with the winners, like making a small lasagna or a small-batch casserole since these are good alternate options to regular-size casserole dishes when cooking for a few folks.Â
It was additionally essential that these pans be simple to scrub and retailer with out an excessive amount of concern for breakage. Pans that have been too fragile or required additional care misplaced factors as a result of fast breads needs to be fast on the cleanup aspect, too.Â
Different Loaf Pans We Examined
Pyrex Simple Seize 1.5-Quart Glass Loaf Dish($15 at Amazon)
It’s product of glass in an effort to see the colour of the crust. Nonetheless, glass can typically steam moderately than crisp, which isn’t preferable for many breads. Â
Caraway 1-Pound Loaf Pan ($40 at Amazon)
This can be a light-weight, nonstick pan with a non-toxic ceramic coating. It does a superb job of distributing warmth however feels fairly tinny and low-cost.
Nice Jones Breadwinner 1-lb. Loaf Pan ($35 at Nice Jones)
It jogged my memory of the WS Goldtouch on this take a look at, which I’ve owned for a few years. Nonetheless, that is painted pink, which is enjoyable, however I’ve considerations about chipping.
Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Loaf Pan ($56 at Amazon)
This ceramic mannequin is greatest for somebody who likes a deal with and needs to make a barely bigger loaf. It’s additionally nice for a Le Creuset collector, however the Emile Henry gained as a result of it carried out higher in our checks.Â
Nordic Ware Deal with Nonstick Loaf Pan ($19 at Amazon)Â
We preferred the handles and texture on the backside of the pan. As a result of it’s wider, it makes a shorter loaf. To make it match, you would need to multiply the loaf by 1.5.
Lodge Forged Iron Loaf Pan ($30 at Amazon)
It’s cumbersome and must be seasoned. Other than being too heavy, seasoning is one other step I do not wish to take within the cleanup.
Our ExperienceÂ
As Meals & Wine’s Testing Editor, Jennifer Zyman focuses on discovering the most effective new merchandise for all cooks. She’s vetted a whole bunch of merchandise, together with side-by-side testing of important kitchen devices like can openers, salad spinners, potato mashers, and tortilla presses. She’s written about meals and eating places for over 15 years and is a proficient house cook dinner with a culinary college diploma who’s at all times on the hunt for the most recent and biggest kitchen approach, trick, or instrument.