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Do you love to bake bread? If so, you need the best loaf pan because a bad loaf pan can cause your bread to stick or, even worse, come out in an ugly shape. The good news is that there are many different options on the market, and choosing a good loaf pan needn’t be difficult. We’ve posted a guide with four of the most popular loaf pans available. Here’s a little bit about each one to help you decide which is best for your bread baking needs. Or you can also take a look at these best mini loaf pans on a budget.
Buying Tips For Loaf Pans:
- If you’re on a budget, pans with dark finishes will be more affordable than stainless steel.
- Stainless steel is the best option if you want evenly browned loaves and can afford it.
- For softer crusts, choose a loaf pan with a dark finish and with nonstick coating.
- For more crust variety (some softer, some crunchier), get a pan without a nonstick coating. Of course, this means your breads will stick a little more to the pan.
- If you use glassware in your kitchen, consider getting a brownie pan. It can double as a loaf pan and as an easy way to cut your loaves into equal portions.
- If you want to experiment with bread-making, bread pans with unusual shapes might be fun to try.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using steel nonstick loaf pan. First, because, a loaf pan is usually made from thin steel to make it lightweight and has nonstick coating, the handles get very hot. You should use pot holders or an oven mitt while you’re pulling your bread out of the oven. The other main thing is that the nonstick pan tends to be a bit delicate. As a result, it’s best to use the pan only for baking–not cooking.
The Trudeau Silicone Loaf Pan is a flexible, soft-bottomed loaf pan that is oven safe up to 428 F. It’s a good option for those who don’t want their bread sticking to the pan, but need something strong enough to withstand high heat. The soft-sided design means you can easily remove your loaf after baking, and the pan’s silicone material won’t warp at high temperatures. This product is also dishwasher safe, but we recommend running it through the top rack only.
The 7 Best Loaf Bread Pans in 2023
1. USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan
Best Loaf Pan For Bread Loaf
Specifications
is a great choice if you want to get a little fancy with your bread. The pan itself conducts heat evenly and has a shiny, aluminized finish that’s just slightly nonstick–meaning it won’t ruin your breads but will make removing them from the pan easy. This product is oven safe up to 450 degrees and dishwasher safe.
Another great feature is that this loaf pan comes with a lid, which makes it perfect for storing your loaves of bread at room temperature or in the freezer. The actual dimensions of the metal pan are 9 x 5 x 2.5 inches; it can hold about 1 pound of dough at a time. Unfortunately, if you bake large loaves regularly, this might not be the right choice.
All in all, this is a great, well-built loaf pan. It’s our top pick for those who want to make bread that will last a few days or even longer in the fridge or freezer.
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2. Rachael Ray Yum-o! Bakeware Oven Lovin’ Nonstick Loaf Pan
Best Nonstick Loaf Pan for Banana Bread
Specifications
This Rachael Ray pan is a great choice for anyone looking to make evenly browned, crusty loaves. It’s made from steel with a nonstick coating, and it has thin handles that won’t get in the way when you’re trying to pull your bread out of the oven. The actual dimensions are 10 x 5 x 2.5 inches, and it can hold about 1 pound of dough at a time. Reviewers say that this product is easy to clean and that the nonstick coating works perfectly–even with denser breads like whole wheat and rye.
People who have used a loaf pan for a long time notice a difference in the texture of their bread if they switch to Rachael Ray’s product. The pan provides even browning, and the texture is much improved over all-metal pans. In addition, this pan doesn’t warp despite being very lightweight.
Overall, this product is a favorite among fans of Rachael Ray’s TV shows and cookbooks. The nonstick coating saves time and makes cleanup easy, while the even baking prevents overcooked or undercooked loaves. The only downsides are the tendency to get stuck from sticky dough and the slight metallic taste coming from a nonstick pan.
3. Pyrex Easy Grab 1.5-Quart Glass Loaf Dish
Best Glass Loaf Pan
Specifications
is a great size for baking all types of quick breads. This dish is also the perfect tool for making chocolate cake, cornbread and even savory dishes like meatloaf. It is a compact size that comes with a lid designed to lock in moisture so your food stays fresher longer while being easy to handle and store.
This Easy Grab Loaf Dish is made of durable, nonporous glass that won’t warp, stain or absorb odors. It has a dishwasher-safe lid that easily locks into place and can be stored inside the dish for quickly grabbed leftovers after cooling. It is also preheated oven safe up to 425°F, top rack dishwasher safe, and can be used in the microwave. The large ergonomic handles provide a comfortable grip while transferring from oven to table.
This dish is designed for quick-bake recipes that serve 4 to 12 people, but it also doubles as a great casserole dish for making comfort foods like macaroni and cheese or meatloaf. This 1.5-quart dish can also be used in place of store-bought mixes and is great for making cakes and breads to gift the neighbors or friends, but it is just as good for family gatherings and all-day snacking.
This product does not seal like other products from Pyrex since it has a lid that goes inside the dish. It is better suited for scoopable items like mac and cheese, but is also great if you want to bake something moist in it. All in all, the Pyrex Easy 1.5 Quart Glass Loaf Dish is a versatile and dependable dish that’s perfect for daily use.
4. Trudeau Structure Silicone Pro Loaf Pan
Best Silicone Loaf Pan
Specifications
Keeping their tradition the Trudeau Structure Silicone Pro loaf pan is a perfect addition to your kitchen if you are looking for an easy to use and clean loaf pan. Not only the silicone pans are more preferred loaf pans in Europe than the metal ones, which require extra job in cleaning and greasing, the silicone pans are also better suited in terms of making smooth and evenly made loaves. Since the Trudeau Structure Silicone Pro loaf pan is made of food-grade silicone, you are sure to use it for a long time without any hassle.
What we really liked in the Trudeau Structure Silicone Pro loaf pan is that you don’t require extra steps in preparing the loaf pan surface for use thanks to the innovative design that ensures easy transition of the loaf from pan to the dish without even greasing the pan surface. The material is resistant to thermal shocks up-to 430 degrees, and cools quickly which guarantees that you can handle it safely with naked hands after a few seconds of baking.
What I missed in the Trudeau Structure Silicone Pro loaf pan is that it is prone to damage from sharp tools, and the pan is oven safe up to 430 degrees which is a common issue in silicone pans. Overall, this is the best loaf pan for your favorite sweets, treats and savory. Cleaning is easy since it doesn’t require any greasing material and the baked loaf pan doesn’t stick to its surface.
5. Le Creuset Heritage Stoneware Loaf Pan
Best Sontware Loaf Pan for Serving
Specifications
Made by famous cookware and bakeware manufacturing brand – Le Creuset – the Heritage Stoneware pan is by far the best choice in stoneware pans for making a deliciously soft loaf pan everyone loves. Despite its price in the range of $50, this stoneware is built with premium material ensuring that the pan lasts for years. Also, the material won’t rust or erode even after using it at temperature extremes which is what I was expecting from this brand. With its beautiful colors and an appealing vintage-inspired design, the pan can be the center of attention when placed at any occasion for dinner, breakfast or lunch.
I made a loaf of perfect banana bread with this loaf pan, and that was my best experience. Since the Le Creuset Heritage Stoneware Loaf Pan is microwave, broiler, and freezer safe, you can use it for multiple jobs. Despite the fact that it is made of high-quality, durable material, it is still a delicate kitchen accessory that requires extra care. Another downside is that even if you grease the pan with fat, the bread may stick to the sides, making it difficult to release and clean. However, scrubbing the pan with dish soap is recommended to clean it.
The best part of this pan is that the Le Creuset warms evenly that lets you make an evenly baked bread. Plus, the exquisitely made handles let you safely transfer it from oven to table. It is resistant to high temperatures of up to 500 degrees, and the enamel coating prevents catching stains, smells or scratches. Overall, this is the best ceramic loaf pan addition to bakeware collection in your kitchen for making every type of loaf pan. The multiple color options and stunning design makes it worth buying a loaf pan.
6. Wilton Perfect Results Large Nonstick Loaf Pan
Best Budget Loaf Pan
Specifications
Every chef knows the popularity and quality of bakeware sets made by Wilton – a brand that makes premium utensils at an unbeatable price. And, the Wilton Perfect Results breadloaf pan is a clear example to this testament. Known for its high quality material, the company has maintained its tradition while making this pan thanks to its sturdy carbon-steel that allows you to make large breads in no time. The sturdy structure prevents warping and delivers an optimum heat distribution which is the key to making an evenly baked and perfectly browned bread loaf.
Since the pan is coated with a good quality non-stick foundation, you will need less amount of oil or spray on its surface to prevent sticking of the cakes at its base or sides. Plus, once you are finished using it, the cleaning process is quite easy and you can clean it by using a plastic scrubber with dish soap in no time. As compared to the Le Creuset stoneware loaf pan, the Wilton cast iron pan was easy to clean due to less amount of crumbs left behind.
Though the design is simple and appealing, the handles are quite handy to transfer to meal from oven to table. However, the downside is that the handles become hot due to the lack of the silicone handle grips which requires extra care and use of oven mitts for better handling. Overall, this is the best cast iron non-stick loaf pan that you can have in your kitchen to enjoy every type of meal that you want. You can make a large bread loaf of 2 pounds in this pan which is sufficient for a big family.
7. Great Jones Breadwinner
Best For Making Unique Bread Loaves
Specifications
The Great Jones Breadwinner is the best loaf pan among all the metal loaf pans we’ve tested. The pan comes equipped with the same ordinary design but the thing that impressed us more was the textured lining at the bottom. The bottom lining helps make an innovative bread loaf with a nice look. As it comes with two pans, you can make two bread loaves of 1.5 pound at one time.
The pan offers an evenly browned cake without making a crust at the base. The thing that annoyed us was that the pan didn’t come with instructions, though it was mentioned as dishwasher safe on the website. Since it is a lightweight and sturdy metal pan as compared to the glass pans, it doesn’t warp.
The plus point that impressed us was the innovative wave-like linings in its design. The negatives include high price and lack of color choices because in this high price everyone expects to have something unique that matches the kitchen setup. Rest assured, the pan is easy to clean, non-stick and made with durable metal that ensures even heat retention. Overall, this is an attractive metal pan that you can use to serve a great banana bread for brunch or dessert.
How To Use A Bread Loaf Pan?
Using a bread loaf pan is entirely preferential because there are different ways to use a loaf pan. However, here are some common steps to use a loaf pan.
- Clean the pan properly before using it
- Mix the ingredients evenly and put them in the pan and leave around ¼ space in the pan to let it bake properly, otherwise the bread will fall apart.
- Preheat the oven for 3-5 minutes, and put the pan in the oven for 30-40 minutes based on the ingredients and recipe.
- Monitor the temperature and to see if the bread is baked properly.
- Once the bread is evenly baked, put the pan out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes
- You can add some toppings if you need at this time.
- The bread is ready to serve.
How To Clean A Bread Loaf Pan?
Cleaning a bread loaf pan, especially a stoneware can be challenging since the bread crust sticks to the bottom and sides of the pan. However, some non-stick pans are quite easy to clean if they are greased and handled properly while making a cake. The good thing is that most of the bread loaf pans are dishwasher safe and they can also be washed using scrubber and soap without much effort.
However, if you feel it is difficult to clean a bread loaf pan, it is recommended to wash them with warm water as the warm water will remove the crust easily. Remember, that using the metal utensils, or scouring pads are not recommended in cleaning these pans as the abrasive cleaners may damage the non-stick coating.
How We Tested?
The testing process is quite simple. After reviewing the top rated 20 loaf pans from the popular brands, we picked 8 best loaf pans and tested them in our kitchen to see if they are reliable and can fit in a kitchen for a long time. For this purpose, we tried to pick every type of pan including cast iron, aluminized steel, glass, ceramic, and silicone. In this testing process everything about these pans was evaluated ranging from their size to weight, comfort to durability, baking time they require to the cleaning time they take. Also, we used these pans in different ranges of temperatures to see if they can be used in different occasions, and in this process every pros and cons of these pans were recorded.
In the testing process, we tried to make our favorite classic pound cake with the same recipe. Meanwhile, we noticed if the cake is browned evenly and soft and spongy from every side. Plus, the baking time of preparing each bread loaf was recorded. Besides, the after-prep experience was also noted, like how easy it was to shift the bread out of the oven.
What to Look for When Buying a Loaf Pan?
Here are some things you need to consider while buying a loaf pan.
Size
On average a standard pan has dimensions of 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.75 inches. These dimensions are ideal for making an average sized one pound cake, meatloaf and pumpkin bread. However, sometimes you need to load pans because most of the recipes require two pans.
The size may vary depending on the locality, brand, and bread requirements. The rise of bread varies depending on the size of the pan since the bread rises more in smaller pans than the larger ones.
Material and Construction
Material is somewhat preferentials and doesn’t fall under the umbrella of recommendation. Since the glass and ceramic pans have higher heat conductivity than cast iron and silicone. While some people like glass and ceramic pans due to higher heat retention and exquisite look, they are heavyweight, delicate, and require extra care.
Aluminum and disposable pans are not the choice for home use. Rather they are used to give the baked meal in the pan. Plus, the paper pan requires care while handling and transferring from the oven to the table.
The non-stick coating is also based on preference due to its ambiguity and debate over if they are good for health or not? Though some professional chefs dislike using non-stick pans due to coating degrades and get scratched after some use, others recommend using the non-stick pans as they are easy to clean and give evenly baked bread.
Silicone is preferred over other materials due to its portability and flexibility, though its use by some professional bakers is not recommended. While buying a silicone pan be sure to buy one with a supporting base, else it would be difficult to handle the flexible silicone pan filled with a creamy case which may fall apart.
Ease of Use and Clean
This is the most important criteria to assess the performance of any utensil. The thing we noticed in this regard is that the pans with non-stick coating, or textured bottoms were more popular and rated higher than their competitors. The USA Pan Aluminized pan requires comparatively less greasing than the Le Creuset Stoneware pan due to the non-stick coating. On the other hand the Trudeu silicone loaf pan requires no oil and helps easy release.
