Stainless steel pans serve a variety of purposes. Often, these cookware types are best when it comes to browning, searing, or sauteing different ingredients for a dish. However, while it’s excellent cookware, one downside of it is that it doesn’t have any non-stick capability. For this reason, you may wonder if it’s a good idea to use it for baking. Thus, you may ask:
Can you bake a cake in a stainless steel pan? Yes, you can bake a cake in a stainless steel pan. Although stainless steel pans can make your cake stick to it, you can apply oil or butter and preheat the pan to solve the issue. This way, your cake won’t stick to it, and you can release the cake with ease after baking.
Stainless steel pans are often used for making cakes despite lacking a non-stick capability. In general, using a stainless steel pan for baking cakes boils down to the technique and how you proceed with the baking process.
In this article, you’ll see answers to some of the questions related to such. This way, you can understand the basics of baking a cake in a stainless steel pan and be aware of what you need to know before starting.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Can you bake in stainless steel pans?
Yes, you can bake in stainless steel pans. Stainless steel pans make good baking cookware due to their oven-safe properties and fewer risks under extremely high temperatures in the oven.
Now, one of the reasons why people are hesitant to use stainless steel pans for baking is their lack of non-stick capacity. However, with the proper technique, you can use stainless steel pans as your go-to when baking.
While you can use a non-stick pan for baking to avoid sticking, the temperature inside the oven may damage the non-stick coating. As a result, these particles may contaminate your cake. Thus, your best bet would be to use a stainless steel pan.
So, now that we established that you could use stainless steel pans for baking, you may wonder how to prepare them for the process.
How do you prepare a stainless steel cake pan for baking?
To prepare a stainless steel cake pan for baking, the essential thing you need to do is to grease preheat it.
Since stainless steel pans don’t have a non-stick coating, greasing it will make the pan slippery enough for easier removal of the cake later on.
Now, to get the pan greased up the best way it can, you need to preheat it. This process includes heating the pan to a specific temperature. Then, with the oil or butter applied, they will melt to a thin consistency, giving the pan the non-stick capability.
Of course, it still won’t be as good as the non-stick pans. However, it’s enough for easier removal of the cake.
Another thing you can do is add parchment paper to the bottom of the pan and add more oil or butter. By doing so, you can prevent the bottom of the cake from sticking directly to the pan, and you can take out the whole cake with the parchment paper later.
Are stainless steel cake pans safe?
Stainless steel cake pans are safe cookware for baking and other cooking methods. Unlike other metals, this one is more durable, longer-lasting, and not easily subject to rusting.
One thing to note is that stainless steel pans can endure high heat and are safe for baking in ovens even at maximum temperature. Thus, you can rely on this type of cookware when it comes to your baking needs.
Lastly, stainless steel makes excellent baking equipment due to being sturdy yet still retaining a lightweight property. With its classic appearance and durability, it’s one of the essential things you can find in every typical household.
How to bake a cake in a stainless steel pan?
As I mentioned earlier, you can bake a cake in a stainless steel pan like you bake cakes with other types of cookware.
Now, since a stainless still pan has no non-stick capability, you’ll need to make sure it won’t be a problem later on by greasing and preheating.
You need to apply some grease like butter, margarine, or oil in the pan. Coat the insides of the pan with grease and make sure not to leave a part without grease.
Then, you’ll need to add parchment paper on the bottom so you can ensure that you can take out the cake whole, with nothing sticking on the bottom. You can also sprinkle some flour while you are at it, but it’s completely optional.
Afterward, you’ll need to put the pan in the oven without the cake batter, allowing the grease to penetrate the pan thoroughly.
Once you’re done preheating, you can add your cake batter or any batter to make bread, cakes, and others. In general, stainless steel pans are cookware you can rely on for your baking needs.
As long as you have the pan greased and preheated, you’ll have no worries about the sticking problem it has.
Summary
In a nutshell, you can bake a cake in a stainless steel pan, and it’s done by many chefs and bakers all over the world. Stainless steel cookware is one of the go-to equipment for baking. These metals can endure extreme heat from baking and won’t disintegrate, unlike other metals. It’s also lightweight yet durable for every baking and cooking need.
Of course, the non-stick capability is a downside you can’t deny, and you probably won’t escape such a hassle if you use this pan for baking. However, with the proper technique of greasing and preheating, you can enjoy baking with a stainless steel pan whenever you need it.
Also Read:
- Aluminum Cake Pans vs. Non-stick
- Are Aluminum Baking Pans Safe?
- Can Stainless Steel Go In the Microwave?
- Baking Pan on Stove
- Can You Put an Aluminum Pan on the Stove?
Resources
Image credits – Canva