Not every bakeware is ideal for baking cheesecakes. Cheesecakes require precision, so you should know your baking pan inside and out before buying one. Here is a thorough buying guide to help you choose the best product for your kitchen.
Qualities To Look for in a Cheesecake Pan
Material
Stainless steel, aluminum, or aluminized steel are your top choices for even browning, rapid release, and simple cleanup, whether you're baking cheesecake or a savory dish. Cheesecakes need a pan with a smooth rounded edge to cook into the perfect circular shape that we commonly see.
Dimensions
The usual sizes for cheesecake pans across most brands are seven and nine inches. Some produce larger ones that go as big as 11 inches in diameter or as small as six inches for a regular pan. Mini cheesecake pans typically have a diameter of about four inches and are sold in bundles of two, three, or four. These work well for small desserts or pizzas. The nine-inch cheesecake pan’s standard size works well for cakes of various shapes and sizes. To maintain uniformity, we advise purchasing two pans of the same size from the same brand if you frequently intend to make tiered cakes. Remember to take your cheesecake pan's height into account as well. Depending on who manufactures them, some may be shorter or higher than the averages.
Nonstick
Most cheesecake pans in the market have non-stick capabilities, meaning you do not need to grease or flour the tin before pouring the batter. This way, you will be sure not to create a mess or have tough bits to scrape out. The downside is that it will get damaged if you mistakenly use a sharp tool to remove or cut the cake in the pan. The cake will then start sticking to the base and may crumble. Conveniently, cheesecake pans are cost-effective, too, as they last a long time. However, repeatedly using them corrodes the layer, making them ineffective. To prevent this issue, it is best to line them with parchment paper. It’ll protect the bottom layer and make the pan last longer.
Types of Cheesecake Pans
Dark vs. light-colored pans
Light-colored cheesecake pans reflect heat and require more time to bake. Cheesecake pans that are darker absorb heat and cook the cake faster, making it more likely to burn. The extra time needed to bake in a light, silvery pan may not be bothersome as cheesecakes bake slowly. The time required to cook a cheesecake in a dark pan is around 25 percent less than it takes in a light pan. So when choosing the color pan you would like, keep in mind how much time you have on your hands.
Metal vs. glass-based pans
When comparing the two, most bakers agree that glass-based pans are more favorable than their metallic counterparts. Old metal pans can tarnish and impart a metallic taste to a cheesecake stored on the base. Slicing your cake directly onto the pan will scratch and ruin the base. So, while metal pans are more cost-efficient you must know that you will be suffering quality-wise. However, here is some good news: you should be able to find metal and silicone pans with glass bases easily.
Designed pans
You can find cheesecake pans in a variety of designs. They come in different shapes such as square, rectangular, and heart-shaped. Desserts in these shaped pans look unique and different from the usual cakes and truly let your personality shine. Glass baking pans don’t commonly come in shapes other than circular, but you can always trim your cake into the shape you would like after baking.
