Round baking dish is designed for making cakes, pies, casseroles, pizzas. It can have a different volume, be solid or detachable, and be made of various materials. The most commonly used materials are aluminum, ceramic, glass and silicone.
Metal molds
Round detachable baking molds are made only from metal. The most commonly used steel. This option is notable for its affordable price, practicality and reliability, and the heating rate depends on the type of material: dark steel heats up faster, and light stainless steel takes longer to heat up. The inner surface is usually coated with Teflon to avoid sticking and burning of the product. Steel forms endure the impact of aggressive detergents, the material is absolutely safe for humans, does not emit any harmful substances when heated. There is only one drawback with steel products - they cannot be put in a microwave oven.
Aluminum round baking pans are cheaperare lightweight and heat up quickly. The disadvantages of such products include fragility: aluminum is extremely susceptible to mechanical damage. Dishes can stick to the surface, so aluminum molds must be thoroughly greased with cooking oil. Round cake molds have high sides up to 7 cm, and a pizza mold can be no higher than 2 cm.
Ceramic and glass
Ceramic and glass molds heat up slowly and provide the best baking results. Ceramics is absolutely universal, it can be used in gas, electric ovens and microwaves. The walls with the smallest pores evenly distribute heat, so the dishes do not burn. Ceramic baking dishes are used for making casseroles, pies, pizza. Such products look beautiful, do not emit harmful substances, but are not very convenient to use.
The disadvantages of ceramics include heavy weight, high price and fragility: the material breaks easily, chips and cracks quickly appear on the surface. Forms are not recommended to be placed on a hot baking sheet, otherwise they may crack. It is necessary to place the form on a cold baking sheet, and then put it in a heated oven. But it is better to put it in a cold oven for gradual heating.
Silicone
Silicone products are extremely comfortable to use. Silicone easily copes with temperatures from -40 to + 230 degrees, so it is suitable for baking and freezing dishes. To get the finished treat from the roundsilicone baking dish, just turn the sides outward. There is no need to grease the surface before baking, the dough does not stick anyway. Silicone is characterized by low cost, ease of use, durability, practicality and safety.
The disadvantages include susceptibility to aggressive detergents, sensitivity to open fire and piercing objects.
Disposable Forms
For those who don't bake too often, disposable molds are ideal. They are inexpensive, easy to use, and do not take up space in the kitchen cabinet. For casseroles, meat and fish dishes, and some types of pies, aluminum molds are best, and for batter pastries, paper ones are best.
Paper round baking dishes can be of different sizes: the diameter varies from 2 to 30 cm. The former are used for making cupcakes, while the latter are ideal for cakes. Such containers keep their shape well, do not interfere with uniform heating of products, do not require lubrication and are easily removed.
Which material is better
When choosing a suitable round baking dish, you must consider the maximum allowable temperature. Glass and Teflon can withstand no more than 200 degrees, silicone - up to 230, and metal and ceramics - up to 280. Cakes and muffins cannot be cut in a silicone mold, otherwise the surface will deteriorate irreversibly. However, the pastries do not stick to the silicone and are easily removed from the outside. This is especially important fortender biscuits and fragile shortbread cookies.
Glass and ceramics are capricious and short-lived, so they are suitable for patient and most careful housewives. Steel is one of the most versatile options: it is durable, practical, and easy to maintain. Metal does not absorb odors, so it is suitable for cooking any treats: meat, fish, cakes, muffins, casseroles.
