Sheet Pan Buying Guide
What is a sheet pan?
A sheet pan is an essential item in every commercial kitchen. These pans are commonly referred to as a sheet pan, baking tray, baker’s pan, or baking sheet, and are a versatile cookware tool for making everything from broiling meats, roasting vegetables to baking bread and confections. But how do I choose a sheet pan? Take into consideration the points below to make the right choice for your foodservice facility.
Sheet Pan Sizes:
There are five industry-standard baking sheet sizes that can be used for most applications. However, the different quantities each size yields and the pan's compatibility with other kitchen appliances determines their usefulness for different kitchen settings and food preparation tasks.
Full-Size (18” x 26”): This is the standard size used in most commercial settings. You can fit one full-size sheet pan on each of your commercial oven’s shelves but these will not fit in a residential 30” oven.
2/3 Size (16” x 22”): Ideal for home bakeries or small catering businesses, the largest residential size a standard 30” will accommodate.
Half-Size (13” x 18”): This size is compatible with half-size convection ovens and will fit comfortably in most dishwashers.
1/4 Size (9-1/2” x 13”): Great for operations with limited space like food trucks, can double as an appetizer tray.
1/8 Size (6-1/2" x 9-1/2”): Perfect for oven to table use, can double as a serving tray to accommodate small portions.
Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel Baking Sheets:
Sheet pans come in a variety of materials, but the most frequently purchased are aluminum or stainless steel, each come with a list of pros and cons:
Aluminum: Aluminum baking sheets are best used for foods that are cooked at high heat for short periods of time, such as cookies. They heat up quickly and promote even browning. To maintain aluminum baking pans, we suggest hand washing or using metal-safe dish detergents. However, a con with using aluminum sheet pans is that aluminum can react with acidic foods, this can give food a metallic flavor, a nuisance avoided with stainless steel.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel baking sheets are ideal for searing meats to achieve crispy, caramelized crusts, or for when baking with acidic ingredients. This material is dishwasher safe, however a con with baking with stainless steel sheet pans, is that heat is not evenly distributed.
What is the best gauge for a sheet pan?
Sheet pans come in various gauges, which refer to the thickness of the metal. Something to keep in mind is that gauges run inversely, meaning that the smaller the gauge, the thicker your pan will be. Higher gauge sheet pans are more economical but are not as durable as lower-gauged pans.
Solid or Perforated Sheet Pan Configuration?
A perforated sheet pan features small holes cut out across their bottoms for increased air flow. This feature enables food items to cook more thoroughly and quickly than if they were cooked on a standard, solid sheet pan. Using perforated baking pans also allows products to get a crispier finish. Of course, a perforated baking tray is not ideal for all applications, non-perforated sheet pans are completely solid, resulting in chewier, doughier products, like rolls and cookies. If crispier foods are not what you are trying to achieve, stick to solid trays.
Bead Rim Styles:
Sheet pans with a wire enclosed in the rim (wire reinforced sheet pans) increase their durability and keep the pan from warping and add extra strength. Similarly, some pans are reinforced with a metal band for even heavier duty use. Wireless rims (Open beaded rim pans) offer a fully curved edge that enables easy cleaning and provides space-efficient stacking abilities. Pans with open bead rims are perfect for lighter duty applications, The open rim allows door easy, sanitary clean up environments such as foodservice establishments.
NSF Certification:
An NSF-certified sheet pan is approved for foodservice use. These pans have an open bead and are easy to clean. Thinner gauges do not meet NSF requirements.
We offer a wide variety of sheet pans and sheet pan accessories needed for your commercial kitchen, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call one of our experts.
