The Essential Half Sheet Pan: A Baker's Best Friend

A half sheet pan is a flat rectangular baking pan with a raised rim, typically made of aluminum. It measures around 18 x 13 inches, with a height of about 1 inch, and is widely used in both restaurant kitchens and home ovens. Half sheet pans are extremely versatile and can be used for a variety of cooking tasks, from roasting vegetables to baking cookies and cakes. They are also handy for making sheet pan dinners, where an entire meal is cooked on a single pan.

Half sheet pans are half the size of a full sheet pan

Half sheet pans are, as the name suggests, half the size of a full sheet pan. They typically measure around 18 inches by 13 inches, with a height of about 1 inch. They are a common kitchen tool and are used for a variety of cooking tasks.

Half sheet pans are a versatile piece of kitchen equipment. They are perfect for roasting vegetables, with enough surface area to spread them out and allow for even cooking. They can also be used for baking cookies and cakes, as well as for making sheet pan dinners, where you cook an entire meal on a single tray.

Half sheet pans are a good size for most home ovens. They are a popular choice for home bakers, especially as they are often too small to fit a full sheet pan. Having two or three half sheet pans is ideal for most home bakers, especially if you enjoy making large batches of cookies.

Half sheet pans are usually made from aluminum, but can also be found in other materials such as aluminized steel or ceramic. They can be purchased with either a rimmed or rimless style, depending on your preference and intended use.

When it comes to cleaning, it is recommended to hand wash half sheet pans with warm soapy water to ensure a thorough clean and to avoid any bending or warping of the pan.

They measure around 18 x 13 inches

Half sheet pans are a common kitchen staple, used for everything from roasting vegetables to baking cookies and cakes. They are also used for "sheet pan dinners", where an entire meal is cooked on one pan, and are popular with meal preppers and busy families.

Half sheet pans are, as the name suggests, half the size of a full sheet pan. They typically measure around 18 x 13 inches, with a height of about 1 inch. This makes them a good option for those with smaller ovens or for smaller tasks, such as roasting a batch of vegetables or broiling a few salmon fillets.

Half sheet pans are also great for making sheet cakes, and for most bakers, having two of these pans is usually enough. However, if you're on a cookie-baking spree, you might want to have three on hand!

When it comes to materials, half sheet pans can be made from traditional aluminum or more modern ceramic coatings. You can also choose between rimmed or rimless styles. If you're looking for a non-stick option, go for a pan with a ceramic coating.

Some popular options for half sheet pans include the Nordic Ware Naturals Baker's Half Sheet and the Chicago Metallic Commercial II Sheet Pan. The Nordic Ware pan is an inexpensive, reliable option that resists warping and heats evenly. The Chicago Metallic pan is made from aluminized steel, which makes it thicker and heavier than most home bakeware. It also has a rolled rim that is reinforced with wire rods to prevent warping.

They're great for roasting vegetables

Half-sheet pans are great for roasting vegetables. They are usually 18 x 13 inches, which gives plenty of surface area to spread out vegetables so they cook evenly. The pans are big enough to prevent overcrowding and allow hot air to circulate, but not so big that vegetables steam rather than roast.

Half-sheet pans are also a good size for most home ovens. They are typically made from aluminium, which heats up quickly, or aluminised steel, which is more durable. Some half-sheet pans have a non-stick coating, but uncoated pans are usually more versatile as they can be heated to higher temperatures.

When roasting vegetables, it's important to oil the pan well to prevent sticking. Some half-sheet pans come in sets with quarter-sheet pans, which are ideal for roasting smaller batches of vegetables.

They're made from materials like aluminium or ceramic coatings

Half-sheet pans are made from a variety of materials, including traditional aluminium and cutting-edge ceramic coatings. Aluminium is a popular choice due to its durability, affordability, and even heat conduction. It is also lightweight, making it easy to handle when removing from the oven.

Uncoated aluminium half-sheet pans are a good option as they are usually oven-safe up to high temperatures and are often dishwasher-safe. However, the non-stick coating on some aluminium pans can affect bake and cook times and limit the lifespan of the pan.

Ceramic-coated half-sheet pans, on the other hand, offer a non-toxic and scratch-resistant surface. They are also typically oven-safe up to high temperatures. However, they may require more careful handling to prevent scratches, which can affect the pan's performance and appearance.

Other materials used for half-sheet pans include aluminized steel, which combines the benefits of carbon steel and aluminium for improved strength and heat conduction. Some pans also feature reinforced rims with steel rods to prevent warping.

Overall, the choice of material depends on factors such as durability, heat conduction, ease of cleaning, and scratch resistance.

They're dishwasher-safe

While some half sheet pans are not dishwasher-safe, there are several options available that are. For example, the Vollrath Wear-Ever Half Sheet Pan is dishwasher-safe, although hand-washing is recommended. The Chicago Metallic Commercial II Sheet Pan is also dishwasher-safe, but it is heavy and may not fit in most dishwashers.

The Hestan Provisions OvenBond Tri-ply 3-Piece Set, which includes a half-sheet pan, is dishwasher-safe, but it is also quite expensive and bulky due to its handles. If you are looking for a more affordable option, the Great Jones Holy Sheet Pan is a colourful, ceramic-coated sheet that is dishwasher-safe. However, it may not be ideal for baking cookies as it can cause them to spread and burn.

Another option is to use dishwasher-safe silicone pan liners or parchment paper on your half sheet pan, so you don't have to wash the pan itself in the dishwasher.

Frequently asked questions