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Shopping For The Best Bakeware Brands
Baking has always been a favorite hobby of mine, so naturally, I’ve tried my fair share of bakeware. What I’ve learned is this: it pays to do your research. In my review, you’ll come to know the 10 best bakeware brands that professional and home bakers swear by.
What makes a brand of bakeware “the best”? It’s all about materials, performance, and selection, but I also threw a few extra points in for looks. Go ahead and call me shallow, but baking is a happy time and great-looking pans and sheets only add to that.
Coming up, consider me your personal guide through the 10 best bakeware brands. From non-toxic ceramic to stick-proof silicone, you’ll come to know what makes each of these brands tick. Let’s kick things up a notch and head in.
10 Best Bakeware Brands
1. Caraway
Remember that whole looks thing? Well, Caraway bakeware is a knockout. But that’s not the only reason it’s made my list of the 10 best bakeware brands.
Offering sets of 11 or 6 pieces (the bigger the set, the less each piece costs), you’ll get the brand’s full range of toxin-free ceramic baking sheets, trays, and muffin tins along with storage to keep things tidy.
In terms of non-toxic bakeware, we consider Caraway the king. Founded in 2018 by Jordan Nathan, Caraway was created for home chefs and is loved for the gorgeous color options they offer (Perracotta is the bomb). The 11-piece set is $395, which saves you $150 if you were to buy all the pieces individually.
Highlights
- Ceramic coated aluminum
- Free from PFOA, PTFE & toxic metals
- 6 & 11-piece sets
- Awesome color options
- Comes with storage
#2: Granite Stone
I’m all too familiar with the frustrations of small kitchens, so I appreciate Granite Stone’s stackable bakeware. Made from aluminum with a non-stick surface, this brand’s sheets and pan are known for their durability and performance. It doesn’t hurt that they’re scratch-resistant too, so metal utensils: do your worst!
Launched in 2018 by the Emson Corporation, Granite Stone got its start making cookware but quickly branched out into bakeware. I’m pretty stoked that it did because its sets are super affordable. A 6-piece bundle is $55.
Highlights
- Made from heavy-gauge aluminum
- Oven-safe up to 550° F
- Dishwasher safe
- Won’t warp
- Affordable
- Multiple bundle options
#3: Circulon
Circulon has been around since 1985, founded by the Meyer Group. Designed for home cooks, their premium line of bakeware features a unique circular bottom that helps cakes and cookies pop out and slide off without fuss.
They actually invented the world’s first hard-anodized pan, and if you know a thing or two about cooking, you know that means even heating and durability. Buy individual pieces or sets to make your life easier. A 10-piece set is $100.
Highlights
- Hard-anodized pans
- Offers single pans & sets
- Affordable
- Cakes & cookies won’t stick
4. Nordicware
Do you know the Bundt pan? Yeah, this brand invented it back in the 1950s. Founded in 1946 by husband and wife team Dotty and Dave Dalquist, the company is based in Minnesota and is still family-owned. As you might have suspected, this brand has an impressive line of Bundt pans, so if you’re a fan of the creative cake, I’d definitely recommend checking them out.
If not, they make pretty much every other type of bakeware you can think of, from cookie sheets to donut pans, though I’m pretty nuts over their unique and artistic Bundt options. A set of two cookie sheets is $30, while Bundt pans are $40+.
Highlights
- Creative bakeware
- Wide range of Bundt pans & other bakeware
- Affordable
- Made from aluminum
- Made in the USA
#5: Calphalon
There’s a very good reason Calphalon made my list of the 10 best bakeware brands, and that’s because of their countertop-safe set. Honestly, with such a smart invention, it makes me wonder why other brands don’t offer something similar.
Founded in 1963 by Ronald M. Kasperzak, Calphalon was originally called Commercial Aluminum Cookware and was sold to restaurants and professional chefs. Today, it offers a fantastic selection of single pieces and sets for professionals and home chefs Aline. A 6-piece set is $160.
Highlights
- Professional quality
- Made from carbon steel
- Countertop-safe collection
- Non-stick
#6: Wilton
Truly, my list of the 10 best bakeware brands wouldn’t be complete without Wilton. One of the most iconic names in baking, you can’t visit a grocery store’s baking aisle without seeing it.
Founded by Dewey McKinley Wilton in 1929, the famous cake decorator would go on to launch the Wilton School of Cake Decorating with his own line of bakeware soon to follow.
Today, Wilton’s collection is seemingly endless, as I scrolled through a massive selection of bakeware, tools, and edible decorations ideal for anyone who loves baking. A great option for those new to cake decorating, a 4-piece cake pan set is $60, and 4 square cake pans are $20.
Highlights
- Wide selection of bakeware & tools
- Affordable prices
- Iconic brand
- Offers an array of materials (diamond-infused, ceramic, etc.)
#7: All-Clad
While Wilton specializes in products for the home chef, All-Clad does things a little more professionally. Based in Pennsylvania (the steel capital of the US), it’s no wonder their heavy-duty bakeware is some of the best in the business.
Made from heavy-gauge aluminized steel with PFOA-free ceramic non-stick coating, this impressive bakeware is for those who want flawless results every time. A 10-piece set is usually $290 but is on sale for $200.
Highlights
- Heavy-gauge aluminized steel
- PFOA-free ceramic coating
- 2 bakeware collection
- Professional quality
#8: Great Jones
If you’ve never heard about Great Jones, you’re definitely going to want to check out the Holy Sheet. With its comedic name, you can probably guess that this new-age brand takes a lighthearted approach to baking. However, the quality of its ceramic pans is no joke.
Offering a simple line of bakeware along with bundles, Great Jones founders Sierra Tishgart and Maddy Moelis launched their collection in 2018 as a direct-to-consumer-only company. Expect bright colors and a few laughs while perusing their line.
Sheet Show (a set of 3 baking sheets) is $85, while Stud Muffin (a 12-cup muffin pan) is $45.
Highlights
- Modern, witty brand
- Bright color options
- Online shopping only
- A simple line of cookware
- Mid-range prices
#9: USA Pan
If you can’t tell by the name, USA Pan is an all-around American company. Launched in 1959 by brothers John Bundy Sr. and Russell T. Bundy, the #9 pick on my list of the 10 best bakeware brands is the world’s largest producer of industrial bakeware, manufacturing its products in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Sounds intimidating, but as soon as you use this special kind of bakeware with a rippled interior, you’ll know why it’s so popular. A classic three-piece is $53 on sale for $27.
Highlights
- Wide range of bakeware
- Rippled interior for fuss-free removal
- Mid-range prices (often have sales)
#10: Silpat
If you’ve ever made French macarons before, then you know they can be a nightmare. Silpat made my list of the 10 best bakeware brands, not because of its wide array of bakeware (which is quite small compared to others on this list), but because its silicone baking sheets and molds are essential for finicky baking projects.
Founded in 1965 by Guy Demarle in France, Silpat (named after how the mats were manufactured) was the world’s first non-stick baking mat. Mats range from $15-$40.
Highlights
- Large selection of baking mats & molds
- Non-stick silicone
- For pastries, cookies & muffins
Which Brand of Bakeware Is the Best?
There is a heap of game-changing names (10, to be exact) on my list of the 10 best bakeware brands. So which one reigns supreme? In terms of quality and performance, All-Clad and Caraway are pretty close.
I love Caraway for its gorgeous color options and long list of toxins its pans are free from. They also perform well, are scratch resistant, and have user-friendly steel handles.
Which Bakeware Brands Do Professional Bakers Use?
When it comes to quality, professionals usually use the best of the best. Their jobs demand perfect results, and if that’s what you’re after too, it only makes sense to find out what they use. Since professional tastes vary, it’s not just one brand they use, but a selection:
- USA Pans
- All-Clad
- Calphalon
What Is the Most Durable Bakeware?
You can’t buy cheap pans and expect them to last a lifetime. In terms of bakeware, you get what you pay for, and that’s why some of the most durable pans also cost the most.
Durability is all about the type of material and the manufacturing process, so All-Clad bakeware is an easy pick for this title. Made from heavy gauge aluminized steel, their pans’ ceramic coating also makes them resistant to scratches.
How to Shop For the Best Bakeware
Since this is a list of the 10 best bakeware brands, I get that choosing just one might be tough. They’re all awesome in their own right. Thankfully, all of these companies offer unique products, and zeroing in on what you want and need should be a piece of cake. For some extra guidance, consider these points below.
Brand
Shopping with a brand you know and trust is a safe bet, but I like to choose a brand I relate with more. You’ll know you like a brand the minute you set foot on their website, and that’s a great indication you’ve found a company that’s right for you.
With that said, don’t abandon your needs simply because of color options, make sure the brand has everything you’re looking for before committing. If you’re a fan of locally-made items, be sure to look into where each one manufactures its products.
Quality
These may be the 10 best bakeware brands, but they all offer different levels of quality. Of course, higher quality pieces will cost more, so think about that before you shop as well as how much you will be using your pans and what you’re using them for.
Multi-Use Capability
Are you looking for just one type of product? If so, you may want to consider how it can be used. For example, a baking sheet can be used for cookies, pizza, and scones, a square pan can be used for brownies, cakes, and bars. But a Bundt pan, well, this type of pan can only be used for Bundt cakes.
Warranty
If you’re spending a decent amount of money on something, you’ll definitely want to look into the warranty policy of the brand you choose to shop with. Many of the 10 best bakeware brands offer a lifetime warranty, but some don’t have one at all.
Warranties often cover defects in materials and workmanship and promise your pan won’t warp or scratch for “x” amount of time. I recommend reading each policy thoroughly to know exactly what to expect.
Safety
When you’re baking, you’re dealing with high levels of heat. That means safety features are king. Some of the 10 best bakeware brands offer pans with safety features for you like handles with silicone grips, while others offer safety features for your kitchen like silicone feet to protect your countertops.
These are simply the features of your bakeware though. Where safety really comes into play is with the materials of the pan. Certain names on this list are free from many toxic substances because they’re made of ceramic. If you’re concerned about toxic leaching into your delicious treats, be sure to steer clear of PFOAs and heavy metals.
Materials
We just covered the safety of the materials each of the 10 best bakeware brands uses, but the actual materials of the pans themselves can change the way your baked goods turn out.
For example, heavy gauge aluminized steel is super durable, whereas ceramic is non-toxic and heats evenly. Aluminum is great, but if it doesn’t have a non-stick coating, you may be left prying your cakes out of your new pans.
FAQ
Which bakeware is best for all baked goods?
After much consideration and debate, the brand of bakeware I believe is best for all baked goods is USA Pan. They have a really great selection of all types of bakeware, as certain others (like Silpat and Nordicware) specialize in a specific type.
USA Pan bakeware features rippled interior surfaces so that your cakes and cookies will release easily from their pans and sheets. Circulon is another one of the 10 best bakeware brands that offer easy-release features, so either of these companies will work just fine for all kinds of baked goods.
Is metal or glass better for baking?
Metal conducts heat better than glass does. This means that your baked goods may cook faster and more evenly in metal pans than they will in glass ones. With that said, certain recipes work better in glass than they do in metal for this very reason.
Glass pans insulate your baked goods whereas metal pans conduct heat so it stands to reason that you should bake the following dishes (that require lower temperatures for extended periods) in glass pans:
- Pies
- Crumbles
- Bread pudding
How about metal? Well, literally everything aside from those three things bakes better in metal bakeware. For easy reference, this includes:
- Brownies
- Cookies
- Cakes & cupcakes
- Quick breads
- Muffins
Another material worth considering is ceramic. You won’t often find pans that are entirely made of ceramic, instead, names like Caraway use ceramic-coated aluminum for heat retention and conduction, while keeping the surface non-stick and resistant to scratches.
Does silicone bakeware work well?
There is just one name on my list of the 10 best bakeware brands that use silicone, and that’s Silpat. I really love this brand’s baking sheets for creating fancy pastries, plus, you’ll never have to worry about sticking.
But do they work well? In short, they bake up things like cookies and scones well, but they may be flimsy when it comes to transferring muffins from the counter to the oven. Choosing a well-known name like Silpat pays off.
Is ceramic bakeware any good?
I’ve already kind of touched on this, and truly, I really like baking with ceramic. In my experience, it turns out great results with even browning, and I appreciate its naturally non-stick yet toxic-free nature.
Caraway offers the largest selection of ceramic-coated cookware on this list, and it’s refreshing to read the long list of pros associated with it like its non-stick nature, durable stainless steel handles, and that it’s oven-safe up to 550° F. Of course, I love color in my kitchen, so I’m partial to the brand’s modern hues.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, the 10 best bakeware brands, plus a little extra info to get the ol’ gears turning. Since you’ve reached the end of my list, I hope you’re leaving with an idea of who to shop with and some excitement for all the tasty goodies to come. From one fellow baker to the next, happy baking!
Looking for other top brands? Check out these curated lists below:
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