The best loaf pans

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loaf pan

USA Pan
  • High-quality loaf pans will cook baked goods evenly, release them with little fuss, and are made of heavy-duty materials.
  • The Wilton Recipe Right Bread Loaf Baking Pan is our top pick because it features a non-stick coating that helps food pop right out, is the most affordable option in our guide, and the wide lip makes the pan easy to rotate.

If you like to bake bread in the oven, or meatloaf is one of your go-to meals, a top-quality loaf pan is a must.

Since breads, cakes, and other baked goods are so thick, it's crucial that the loaf pan cooks slowly and evenly without burning. Loaf pans are generally around 9 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 2.5 inches deep, though the exact measurements vary brand-to-brand.

Stainless steel, aluminized steel, and glass pans all do an excellent job of baking slowly. And here's a pro tip: If you are looking for a lighter exterior to your bread, choose a lighter-colored material for your pan.

If the appearance of the bread you produce means a lot to you, then you need to pay close attention to the size of the loaf pan and how much flour your recipe calls for. A good rule of thumb is to use an 8.5-by-4.5-inch pan for recipes that call for three cups of flour or less (although you can expect some trial and error). If the recipe calls for 3.5 cups, then an 8.5-by-4.5-inch or 9-by-5-inch pan will do. Anything over 3.75 cups will work best in a 9-by-5-inch pan. However, a pain de mie pan, also known as a Pullman loaf pan, is ideal for recipes with more than four cups of flour.

While researching the best loaf pans, we researched dozens of models. Our guide features pans that have a strong track record of performance, durability, and versatility.

Here are our picks for the best loaf pans:

  • Best overall: Wilton Recipe Right Bread Loaf Baking Pan
  • Best aluminized steel loaf pan: USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan
  • Best glass loaf pan: Pyrex 1.5-Quart Clear Basics Glass Loaf Pan
  • Best with handles: Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Loaf Pan
  • Best for meatloaf: Chicago Metallic Non-Stick 2-Piece Meatloaf Set

Updated on 8/20/2020 to edit titles, prices, links, and remove third-party ratings and reviews because we've found them to be unreliable in the past.

The best overall

Wilton

If you are looking for a low-cost loaf pan that will release your baked goods without much fuss, turn to the Wilton Recipe Right Bread Loaf Baking Pan.

The Wilton Recipe Right Bread Loaf Baking Pan is made of stainless steel for long-term durability and is covered with a non-stick coating for quick food release and easy cleanup.

Though the 8.5 by 4.5 by 2.5-inch model is the most popular, Wilton sells the Recipe Right pan in a variety of sizes, including 9.25 by 5.25 by 2.75 inches and 5.25 by 3 by 2.125 inches. The pans are dishwasher safe, but we recommend washing them by hand to increase their lifespan. Wilton backs the quality of its products with a five-year warranty.

Pros: Inexpensive, effortlessly releases baked goods, pan lip allows for easy rotation

Cons: Concerns about durability

The best aluminized steel loaf pan

USA Pan

The materials used to construct the USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan facilitate the even cooking of food, and items are discharged cleanly.

There are two key features that contribute to the USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan's nonstick abilities. First, the pan is constructed of corrugated aluminized steel. The little ridges help with the release of baked goods, add to the rigidity and durability of the pan, and may also allow for better airflow and even cooking.

The USA Pan also has a layer of Americoat on the top and bottom. This is an eco-friendly, PFOA- and PTFE-free silicone coating that has excellent non-stick properties.

The loaf pans come in three sizes: 8.5 by 4.5 by 2.75 inches (the 1-pound model), 9 by 5 by 2.75  inches (the 1-1/4-pound model), and 10 by 5 by 2.75 inches (the 1-1/2-pound model). They are each made in Pittsburgh, PA and come with a lifetime limited warranty.

Pros: Releases baked goods effortlessly, cooks foods evenly, easy to clean

Cons: Pricey, no handles

The best glass loaf pan

Pyrex

With its easy-to-see-through glass construction, the Pyrex Bakeware 1.5-Quart Glass Loaf Pan is an excellent solution if you want to take the guesswork out of baking.

Though glass bakeware generally isn't as durable and doesn't cook as quickly as its metal counterpart, it does allow you to easily gauge how your baking is progressing, since you can see the side and bottom of your loaf without removing it from the pan. This is one of the main benefits of the Pyrex 1.5-Quart Glass Loaf Pan.

The Pyrex Loaf Pan measures approximately 10.25 by 5 by 3 inches and features handles for easy maneuverability. Made of soda lime glass, it is dishwasher, freezer, microwave, and oven safe. But, we advise against taking the pan out of the freezer and putting it in a preheated oven since it could experience "thermal shock" and burst into pieces. On the plus side, the nonporous glass is resistant to odors and staining.

Additionally, it's wise to grease this pan before adding ingredients because items may stick to it.

Pros: Browns food well, allows you to see how done the bottom of your loaf is

Cons: Concerns about durability, items may stick

The best with handles

Farberware

If you are looking for a loaf pan that is easy to grab and cooks evenly, consider the Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Bread and Meat Loaf Pan.

The Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Bread and Meat Loaf Pan stands out from the other pans on our list because it has wide handles that make it easy to maneuver the pan when wearing thick oven mitts. However, they are not too wide to make storage an issue.

The pan is 9 by 5 by 3 inches and is oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It is made of heavy-duty steel and features a rolled rim, which ensures durability and warp resistance. Though the pan is dishwasher safe, Farberware recommends handwashing it.

The pan is warp-resistant and cooks evenly, however, it's recommended to spray it before adding ingredients as the nonstick coating is not always effective.

Pros: Wide handles, nonstick coating, sturdy rolled steel construction

Cons: Sides flare wide

The best for meatloaf

Chicago Metallic

The Chicago Metallic Professional Non-Stick 2-Piece Healthy Meatloaf Set is designed for regular meatloaf eaters who prefer to keep the grease to a minimum.

The Chicago Metallic Professional Non-Stick 2-Piece Healthy Meatloaf Set is unique because it is specifically designed for making meatloaf. The set consists of a two-pound nonstick meatloaf pan made of heavy-weight aluminized steel and a perforated insert that elevates your meatloaf about ¾ of an inch above the bottom of the pan to allow for the grease to drain. This is a nice feature that keeps the bottom of the loaf from getting overcooked while sitting in its own grease. Large handles also make it easy to remove from the oven.

The pan has a maximum temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and Chicago Metallic backs it with a lifetime warranty.

Pros: Allows for even baking, cooks meatloaf without the grease, large handles, lifetime warranty

Cons: Not very versatile, questionable durability of non-stick coating

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James Brains

Home & Kitchen Reporter, Insider Reviews

James is a Home & Kitchen Reporter for Insider Reviews, where he specializes in sleep, HVAC, and kitchen appliances. He has tested more than 30 mattresses from startups like Casper and legacy brands like Tempur-Pedic, using his background in experimental psychology to develop objective tests and evaluate comfort, support, motion transfer, and more. He authors our guide to the best mattresses. In addition to being Insider Reviews' mattress expert, James has extensively covered robot vacuums, air conditioners, air purifiers, and more within the HVAC space. He's tested more than 20 robot vacs from brands like iRobot and Roborock over the years and is no stranger to keeping his house at a chilly 60 degrees Fahrenheit for weeks on end all in the name of testing air conditioners. He's a multifaceted writer who has covered everything from health and fitness to consumer technology. His mission is to help people get the most value for their money by guiding them in making informed buying decisions. James is currently based in Lansing, Michigan, where he lives in "The Barn Mansion," a three-story Dutch colonial home, with his wife, two sons, two cats, and a rambunctious rat terrier. When James isn't testing products and writing for Insider, he's helping to run a popular local Facebook group, Lansing Foodies. See below for some of his work: The best mattress for every type of sleeper in 2021, according to our rigorous testing The 6 best robot vacuums we tested in 2021 The 6 best air conditioners we tested in 2021 The best Instant Pots and electric pressure cookers we tested in 2021 10 grilling essentials that chefs and pitmasters swear by for making the best BBQ The 5 best mattress toppers we tested in 2021 Contact info: jbrains@insider.com Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test kitchen products.

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