Aluminum Vs Steel Baking Sheets

After all durability versatility and beauty are impressive traits to possess.

Aluminum vs steel baking sheets. On most cooking shows you ll see the chefs using stainless steel. Aluminium actually has a higher heat capacity than steel but because it is so light it does not hold it. Most baking sheets also called cookie sheets are either uncoated aluminum or nonstick coated steel. So while the reviews generally tend to point as nordic ware as one of the best i won t buy it as it aluminum still reacts to food unless stainless steel and more importantly it is not dishwasher safe.

Double thick aluminum half sheet pans with rolled edges. Stainless steel is widely known to be a poor performer in this category which. Stainless steel cookie sheets are tough to beat. While some aluminum cookie sheets do a great job many bakers agree that stainless steel cookie sheets are the way to go and a top piece of kitchenware to have to hand.

When it comes to pan sizes the most common size for home ovens is the half sheet pan. Thicker sheets are durable and made to last without warping that can occur in thinner pans. Because these pans tend to be darker than plain aluminum sheets they cook food faster as well. These pans cost between 11 and 15 and are ideal for everything from baking cookies pastries and breads to roasting cuts of meats and vegetables typically half sheets measure 13 by 18 inches the perfect size since most ovens have an interior rack that measures 22 inches wide for optimal results several inches are needed around.

Heavy gauge aluminum or aluminized steel baking sheets provide even heat distribution. Aluminized steel which is essentially steel sandwiched in aluminum is more prone to uneven heat distribution. Aluminized steel cookie sheets can be more durable i e less likely to get warped dented or corroded but also heat up faster than aluminum and could cause a burned batch if not careful. Stainless steel is not a great conductor of heat and so will take a lot longer heat up evenly then say aluminum will but because of the difference in weight it will hold heat for longer.

From my own research the best baking sheets are not aluminum but stainless steel. Some bakers prefer baking sheets with nonstick coating for faster cleanup. Steel cookie sheets take longer to heat up but they retain heat.