Sheet pan

Sheet pan is a flat, rectangular metal pan used in an oven. It is often used for baking bread rolls, pastries and flat products such as cookies, sheet cakes, Swiss rolls and pizzas. These pans, like all bakeware, can be made of a variety of materials, but are primarily aluminum or stainless steel. The most basic sheet pan is literally a sheet of metal.

Types of Sheet Pans

There are three main types of sheet pans: half sheet, quarter sheet, and full sheet. The half sheet is approximately 18 by 13 inches (46 by 33 cm), the quarter sheet is 9 by 13 inches (23 by 33 cm), and the full sheet is 26 by 18 inches (66 by 46 cm).

Uses of Sheet Pans

Sheet pans are versatile kitchen tools, used for everything from baking cookies to roasting vegetables. They are also commonly used in commercial kitchens to prepare large quantities of food at once.

Material

Sheet pans can be made from a variety of materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, and non-stick materials. Each material has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For example, aluminum pans are lightweight and heat up quickly, but they can react with acidic foods and cause them to have a metallic taste. Stainless steel pans are more durable and do not react with foods, but they do not heat up as quickly or evenly as aluminum pans.

Care and Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance of a sheet pan can extend its life and prevent food from sticking. This includes cleaning the pan after each use and avoiding the use of metal utensils that can scratch the surface of the pan.

See Also

• Baking
• Cookware and bakeware
• Roasting (cooking)