Metal Vs. Pyrex

Metal Pans

• Metal baking pans come in assorted sizes, types and styles to suit any baking need and personal preference. A number of shaped pans, such as round, square and rectangular, accommodate a variety of cooking needs. Others, such as Bundt pans, are created for baking a specific food. Aluminum, nonstick-coated metal, stainless steel, insulated steel and tinned steel are materials used in making metal baking pans. Using the recipe-recommended pan size and type culminates in better-baked foods.

Glass Pyrex

• Glass Pyrex bakeware is available in an array of sizes, satisfying assorted baking needs. Baking dishes with easy-to-grab handles make pulling dishes out of the oven an easy task. Form-fitting plastic covers enable cook-and-serve dishes that easily go from baking to serving, and lastly into the refrigerator for storage. This one-dish usage results in saving time spent in cleanup. Pyrex dishes can also be used for reheating leftovers in microwave ovens.

Advantages

• Aluminum and nonstick pans are recommended for baking brownies, while Pyrex pie plates generally provide better browning for pie crusts. Metal pans are stronger than Pyrex, but Pyrex won't rust like metal. Glass provides a see-through dish to keep an eye on a food's cooking progression, while nonstick metal makes cleanup an easy chore. Metal and Pyrex bakeware have handles, but both get hot in the oven, making hot pads a necessity when removing dishes from the oven.

Disadvantages

• Glass Pyrex and dark metal pans absorb heat and can easily burn bar cookies, brownies, quick breads and fruit crisps. Pyrex may break when exposed to a sudden temperature change, or when dropped or bumped against a hard object. Ovens must be preheated before inserting glass Pyrex. Plastic or wooden utensils should be used with metal pans to avoid scratching and peeling of nonstick surfaces. Many metal pans are recommended by the manufacturer to be hand-washed in lieu of a dishwasher, prolonging the pan's useful life and aiding in rust prevention.