When it comes to baking, there are tons of utensils, bakeware, and other essentials involved. Like any other cooking process, you need to know the basics and familiarize yourself with the tools and other baking essentials you need to use.
One of the bakewares that have become popular nowadays is the stainless steel springform pan. Many home chefs and would-be baking enthusiasts have come to appreciate this bakeware. To have a more constructive idea of a stainless steel springform pan, let’s look into it further.
What Is A Springform Pan?
A springform pan can be considered an innovation from the traditional cake pans. The interesting feature it has which distinguishes it from the conventional cake pans is the removable sides and base.
Additionally, it makes it easy to remove the cake when you are done baking because of these features. It uses a latch for easy removal of the sides and base. It is the best bakeware to use when creating dishes that have delicate sides and bottoms like cheesecakes, deep-dish pizzas, and tortes.
Things To Consider When Choosing A Springform Pan
Since the springform pan is a versatile tool, it can be quite challenging to choose the best one that would fit your needs. Here are a few factors to look into when selecting a springform pan.
Material
Springform pans are made of various materials like stainless steel, anodized aluminum, glass, and silicon. The type of material you should choose will depend on what you will be using it for.
For recipes with runny or watery batter, the best material to use would be the silicon springform pans since they are guaranteed to be leakproof. Meanwhile, metal springform pans offer a more affordable price tag.
Stainless steel springform pan offers sturdiness because of the material used. Most stainless steel springform pans are pressure cooker and oven safe. They also have a non-stick coating and easy to clean after the baking process.
Finally, there is the springform pan made of glass. As classy as it may sound, this type requires a longer baking and cooking time because they are created to be thicker than other springform pan types. The disadvantage that they have is that they are more durable and scratch-resistant.
Leakproof
A springform pan of excellent quality should be leakproof. This is one of the critical factors you should look out for. This ensures that your batter is held in place and will not spill or leak during the baking process.
In addition, a leakproof springform pan is also essential for certain dishes that require water baths or steam baths for the cooking process. The leakproof feature will prevent water from seeping into the container and mixing with your batter.
Non-stick
One of the reasons why springform pans are becoming popular is because it is not messy to use. A non-stick feature of this bakeware is a considerable factor. Otherwise, a springform pan that does not have this feature will just be like another conventional cake pan.
Size
Another fantastic feature of the springform pan is its versatility and flexibility. Springform pans come in different sizes that you can opt for. Cake size can vary from 8 inches to 11 inches; however, the most commonly used is the 9-inch pan.
Moreover, springform pans also offer a variety of shapes for home bakers and baking enthusiasts. This allows you to explore and be more creative with the dishes you create.
Safety
In any cookware or bakeware, safety is of utmost importance. Aside from the non-stick feature, your springform pan should also be non-toxic. This means that it should be made from materials that do not release toxic fumes when exposed to high heat.
Clean up
Although there may be easy recipes, baking, in general, is a tedious process. All the more reason you should choose a springform pan that is easy to clean. A messy-free springform pan reduces the amount of clean-up you will be doing after the whole baking process.
Dark or Light
Not anyone may be aware, but the color of the springform pan is also a vital factor. A dark-colored pan absorbs more heat and requires a shorter baking time. This is best for slow-baked desserts and pastries.
On the other hand, springform pans with lighter color require a longer baking time since it only reflects the heat source.
Tips On How To Use A Springform Pan
Now that you know the basics of what to look for in choosing a springform pan, you should also know a few tips on how to use it properly.
1. When using a stainless steel springform pan, cut a piece of parchment paper that will fit into the base of the pan so you can easily remove the cake when you are done.
2. After baking, let the cake sit for about five minutes before removing the ring.
3. To protect the pan’s non-stick surface, avoid using a knife or any metal-edged tool that can scratch the surface.
4. If you need to free the cake from the pan, be sure to use a spatula.