The Terrine Mold: A Chef's Guide To This Kitchen Essential

A terrine mold is a dish used for cooking pâtés and terrines. They are typically made of enamelled cast iron, porcelain, enamelled stoneware, terracotta, silicone, tinned steel, or stainless steel. Terrine molds come in various shapes and sizes, including rectangular, oval, and round. They can be heavy or lightweight, with the heavyweight molds being made of enamelled cast iron, porcelain, enamelled stoneware, and terracotta, while the lightweight molds are made of silicone, tinned steel, and stainless steel. The type of mold used depends on the type of terrine or pâté being made, with heavier molds being used for cooking pâté en terrine and lighter molds being used for pâté en croûte.

What is a terrine mold used for?

A terrine mold is a dish used for cooking pâtés and terrines, or, in a broader sense, simply a dish to cook food in. They are typically rectangular, but can also be round or oval.

Terrine molds are made from a variety of materials, including enamelled cast iron, porcelain, enamelled stoneware, terracotta, silicone, tinned steel, and stainless steel. The type of material used will depend on what you are cooking. Heavyweight molds made from materials like enamelled cast iron, porcelain, enamelled stoneware, and terracotta are used for cooking pâté en terrine. These pâtés are cooked in the mold, which is placed in a water bath in the oven so it can be cooked gently.

Lighter molds made from tinned steel and stainless steel are used for baking pâté en croûte, which is pâté or terrine in a crust. These molds are lighter and conduct heat more quickly, allowing you to create a crusty pastry.

Terrine molds can also be used for a variety of other dishes, including layered desserts, loaf cakes, trifles, custard, and ice cream.

What are terrine molds made of?

Terrine molds are made from a variety of materials, including enamelled cast iron, porcelain, enamelled stoneware, terracotta, silicone, tinned steel, and stainless steel. The type of material used often depends on the weight of the mold, with heavyweight molds typically made from enamelled cast iron, porcelain, enamelled stoneware, and terracotta, and lightweight molds made from silicone, tinned steel, and stainless steel.

Heavyweight Molds

Enamelled Cast Iron

Cast iron is heavy and retains heat well, but it can heat unevenly and is prone to rusting if not seasoned properly. Enamelled cast iron, however, does not have issues with rusting and can be used at high temperatures. It is also very durable, with the exception of chipping if dropped, overheating, or having cold water added while still hot.

Enamelled Stoneware

Stoneware is made from clay and conducts heat well and evenly. It is safe for high temperatures in the oven but not on the stovetop. Enamelled stoneware has some non-stick properties, similar to stainless steel. It is also sturdy but significantly lighter than cast iron.

Porcelain

Porcelain is also made from clay, specifically white kaolin clay, which is why it is typically white in colour. It has an enamel finish, like stoneware, but is more prone to breaking.

Terracotta

Terracotta is another type of earthenware material made from clay. Before glazing, the material is porous, but the glaze makes it suitable for cooking. Artisanal terracotta terrine molds are typically found in Alsace, France, and are shaped and painted by hand.

Lightweight Molds

Silicone

Silicone is a flexible material made from silicon, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. It is heat-resistant and has low toxicity. It is chemically inert, making it more environmentally friendly than plastic. However, some people may not feel comfortable cooking food in silicone.

Tinned Steel

Tinned steel is steel coated with a thin layer of tin to prevent rusting. It is a good conductor of heat and is relatively inexpensive. However, it is not entirely rustproof, and scratches can make it more susceptible to rusting. To prevent rusting, it is recommended to dry tinned steel carefully, avoid scratching it, and coat it with a thin layer of lard or oil.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel terrine molds are less common but are available from select manufacturers. They do not rust and are more durable than tinned steel.

What are the different types of terrine molds?

Terrine molds are used for cooking pâtés and terrines, or, as the French call them, pâté en terrine. They are made from a variety of materials, including:

• Enamelled cast iron
• Porcelain
• Enamelled stoneware
• Terracotta
• Silicone
• Tinned steel
• Stainless steel

The heavyweight molds are typically made from enamelled cast iron, porcelain, enamelled stoneware, and terracotta. The lightweight molds are usually made from silicone, tinned steel, and stainless steel.

Enamelled Cast Iron

Cast iron retains heat well but is prone to rusting and heating unevenly. Enamelled cast iron terrines are glazed to prevent rusting and eliminate the need for seasoning. They can withstand high temperatures and are very durable, except when dropped, overheated, or filled with cold water while still hot.

Enamelled Stoneware

Stoneware is made from clay and conducts heat well and evenly. It is safe to use at high temperatures in the oven but not on the stove. Enamelled stoneware has some non-stick properties, though not as much as actual non-stick bakeware. It is also much lighter and cheaper than cast iron.

Porcelain

Porcelain is similar to stoneware in that it is made from clay and has an enamel finish. It is typically white due to the use of white kaolin clay.

Terracotta

Terracotta is another type of earthenware material made from clay. Before it is glazed, the material is porous, but the glaze makes it suitable for cooking. Terracotta terrines are not very common in North America.

Silicone

Silicone is a flexible, heat-resistant, and low-toxicity material. Silicone terrines are light, flexible, and cheap, but some people may not like the idea of cooking their food in silicone.

Tinned Steel

Tinned steel is a cheap option that conducts heat well. It is steel covered with a thin coat of tin to prevent rust, though it is not entirely rustproof. To protect against rusting, it is important to dry tinned steel carefully, avoid scratching it, and dry it in the oven or coat it with a thin layer of lard or oil. Tinned steel terrines are also available with a non-stick coating.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel terrines are less common than tinned steel but are still available. They do not rust and are more expensive than tinned steel.

Terrine molds made from enamelled cast iron, porcelain, enamelled stoneware, terracotta, and silicone are used for cooking pâté en terrine. These molds are placed in a water bath in the oven for gentle cooking.

Terrine molds made from tinned steel and stainless steel are used for baking pâté en croûte, or pâté/terrine in a crust. These molds are lighter and conduct heat quickly, allowing for a crusty pastry. They do not include a lid and often come with hinges so that the mold can be easily taken apart once the pâté en croûte is cooked.

What to consider when buying a terrine mold?

A terrine mold is a rectangular cooking dish used to make terrines, pâtés, mousses, and rillettes. They are usually made of metal, stoneware, porcelain, or cast iron, and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Here are some things to consider when buying a terrine mold:

Usage:

Before buying a terrine mold, it is important to understand the intended use. Different types of terrine molds are suitable for different purposes. For example, pâté en croûte molds have hinged sides for easy unmolding, while trapezoidal, triangular, and half-cylindrical molds are often used by professional chefs to create appetizer-sized portions. Standard rectangular molds are the most versatile and suitable for most recipes.

Material:

Terrine molds come in a variety of materials, including tinned steel, stainless steel, enamelled stoneware, porcelain, and cast iron. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, tinned steel is affordable and conducts heat well but is not entirely rustproof. Cast iron retains heat well but is heavy and prone to rusting if not seasoned properly. Enamelled stoneware and porcelain are sturdy, conduct heat well, and are safe for high temperatures.

Lid and Ventilation Hole:

Most standard terrine molds come with a lid, which is important for cooking terrines. It is also crucial to ensure that the lid has a small hole to allow for ventilation and slow escape of steam. This prevents condensation from building up inside the terrine.

Press:

Many terrine recipes require pressing or weighing down the contents. Some terrine molds come with a press, which can be more convenient than creating a DIY press with tin foil and cans.

Budget:

Terrine molds vary in price depending on the material and brand. It is important to set a budget and stick to it. Silicone molds are typically the cheapest option, followed by metal and stoneware. Porcelain and cast iron molds tend to be more expensive.

Shape and Color:

While rectangular terrine molds are the most versatile, round and oval molds are also available. Cast iron and stoneware molds come in various colors, so choosing a color that brings joy is an option.

How to choose the right terrine mold for you?

Terrine molds are used for cooking pâtés and terrines, also known as pâté en terrine. They are usually made of enamelled cast iron, porcelain, enamelled stoneware, terracotta, silicone, tinned steel, or stainless steel. The type of mold you choose depends on the type of dish you want to cook.

If you are cooking pâté en croûte (pâté in a crust), you will need a lightweight mold that conducts heat quickly, such as tinned steel or stainless steel. These molds do not have lids, but they often come with hinges that allow you to easily remove your pâté once it's cooked.

If you are cooking pâté en terrine, you will need a heavyweight mold that can withstand high temperatures, such as enamelled cast iron, porcelain, enamelled stoneware, or terracotta. These molds usually have lids, which help to create a tight seal and prevent condensation from forming.

• Choose a mold that complements your clumsiness factor. If you are prone to dropping things, avoid stoneware or porcelain molds, as they are more likely to break.
• Get a mold with a lid, and make sure the lid has a hole in it for ventilation.
• Choose a mold that comes with a press, which is useful for weighing down or pressing your terrine.
• Stay within your budget. Terrine molds can range in price from $16 to $895, depending on the material and brand.
• Go rectangular. Rectangular molds are the most versatile and can be used for a variety of terrine recipes.
• Choose a color you love! Terrine molds come in a variety of colors, so pick one that makes you happy.

Frequently asked questions