Best Oils For Greasing Pans: A Quick Guide

Greasing a pan is an important step in baking to prevent food from sticking to the pan. The type of oil or grease used can vary depending on the recipe and the desired outcome. Some common options include butter, shortening, cooking spray, vegetable oil, olive oil, and canola oil. Each type of grease has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as flavour, ease of use, and smoke point. For example, butter can add a rich flavour but has a relatively low smoke point, while cooking spray is easy to use but may not be as effective as other options. Ultimately, the best type of oil or grease to use will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the baker.

Butter

To grease a pan with butter, you can simply run a stick of butter around the bottom and sides of the pan. Alternatively, you can use a paper towel to wipe the butter all over the pan, ensuring an even coating. If you're making a quick bread, like banana bread, you can try a trick where you grease the pan with butter and then use sugar instead of flour. This gives a nice crunchy exterior to your bread.

However, butter is not the best choice for greasing pans in all cases. It contains about 20% water, which can cause baked goods to stick to the pan. This can be mitigated by being generous with the amount of butter used and ensuring that every inch of the pan is coated. Additionally, running a knife along the edges and lining the bottom with parchment paper can help prevent sticking.

Compared to other options like vegetable oil and shortening, butter may be less effective at preventing sticking. Vegetable oil and shortening are 100% fat and don't have the same potential for sticking as butter. They are better choices if your primary concern is to easily release your baked goods from the pan without adding an extra layer of flavour.

In conclusion, while butter is a popular choice for greasing pans due to its flavour and unique properties, it may not be the best option if you want to avoid sticking. Other alternatives like vegetable oil and shortening might be more suitable for certain types of baking.

Vegetable oil

To grease a pan with vegetable oil, simply pour a small amount onto a paper towel and rub it along the sides and bottom of the pan, ensuring the whole surface is coated. You can also use a pastry brush to apply a very thin layer of oil to the pan.

If you want to create a perfect non-stick surface for a cake, you can put some flour on top of the oiled pan. This method works well, especially with a cake that has a sticky texture.

However, it is important to note that using too much vegetable oil can make your baked goods greasy and heavy. Therefore, it is recommended to apply a light layer of oil when greasing the pan.

Bacon fat

• Sauteing or roasting vegetables: heat the bacon fat first to liquify it, then coat the vegetables with it.
• Rubbing it on chicken before roasting.
• Frying grilled cheese: bacon fat can be used instead of butter to fry grilled cheese sandwiches.
• Seasoning cast iron: after washing your cast iron pan, dry it over medium heat. Add some bacon grease and rub it in with a paper towel or cloth.
• Frying eggs: use bacon grease for amazing flavour, but add a bit of butter as well to prevent the eggs from sticking.
• Hash browns: bacon fat and hash browns are a match made in heaven!
• Gravy base: bacon grease can be used as a base for gravy, especially for sausage gravy to pour over biscuits.
• Spread on pizza crust: brushing the pizza crust with bacon grease adds flavour and a crispy texture.

Olive oil

Greasing a Pan with Olive Oil

Greasing a pan is an important step in baking to prevent your baked goods from sticking to the pan. While there are several options for greasing a pan, such as butter, shortening, cooking spray, or vegetable oil, some sources advise against using olive oil for this purpose.

Advantages of Using Olive Oil

Some bakers have successfully used olive oil to grease pans for certain types of bread, such as focaccia. Olive oil can add a delicious flavour to the bread and, when used generously, can prevent sticking. Olive oil is also quite good at withstanding heat and holds up better than some other oils, such as sunflower oil, when exposed to prolonged high temperatures.

Disadvantages of Using Olive Oil

One of the main disadvantages of using olive oil to grease a pan is the risk of sticking. Some bakers have reported that their bread stuck to the pan even when using a significant amount of olive oil. This may be due to the type of pan used or allowing the dough to rise in the pan. Additionally, olive oil is not recommended for cooking at high heat.

Tips for Using Olive Oil

If you choose to use olive oil to grease a pan, it is important to use it generously, especially for high-hydration doughs like focaccia. You may also want to dust the olive oil with flour to help prevent sticking. For sweet quick breads, some bakers recommend a light coating of butter or peanut oil, followed by a sprinkle of sugar, which adds a caramelized flavour and crunch.

Coconut oil

To use coconut oil for greasing a pan, simply melt the oil and brush it onto the pan in place of any other oil. It is important to use a light layer of coconut oil, as using too much can make your baked goods greasy and heavy. Coconut oil can be used to grease pans for a variety of baked goods, such as cakes, brownies, bars, and cookies.

In addition to its functionality, coconut oil also offers some health benefits. It is a good source of healthy saturated fats, which can help to raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels and promote heart health. Coconut oil also has a long shelf life and is generally affordable, making it a cost-effective option for baking and cooking.

Frequently asked questions