Tl;dr: Decent bakeware is an essential tool for every kitchen. The USA Pan brand has been perfecting its nonstick commercial bakeware for decades and has incorporated that expertise into a range of affordable, durable options for home cooks and bakers.

When I worked at a kitchen store, we regularly sold USA Pan bakeware, and we exclusively used their baking sheets in cooking classes. They were ideal for everything from baking hors d’oeuvres to biscuits to roasting vegetables and slow-cooking meats like beef tenderloin. They never warped, they cooked consistently, and they remained clean and looking new.

What Is USA Pan Bakeware?

USA Pan bakeware products are kitchen workhorses that will withstand the test of time. Their products regularly show up on roundups for the best bakeware, and my own experience with the company’s products has also been positive. The company was founded in 1959 by the Bundy family in Pennsylvania. USA Pan’s origins were in industrial bakeware, growing the company over decades and perfecting its patented nonstick coating called “Americoat.” The company parlayed its breadth of experience from industrial kitchens to launch a bakeware line in 2009 designed for home bakers and cooks. The company's history appeals to customers who want to support American manufacturers.

What to Consider When Buying USA Pan Bakeware

What Is the Bakeware Made From?

USA Pan products are metal and feature a distinctive corrugated surface. The textured lines are designed for food to sit so that air can flow underneath it, which is intended to help with circulation and ensure even heat distribution. The lined pattern is also what helps food release from the nonstick surface.

USA Pan’s bakeware is made from a heavy-gauge aluminized steel with a patented, FDA-approved, nonstick coating (the aforementioned “Americoat”) that is BPA-, PTFE-, and PFOA-free. This nonstick coating is a boon for home bakers who want easy food release (stuck-on, burnt cookie bottoms — no, thank you!). It also helps with an easier cleanup. The aluminized steel, which is steel that has been coated with aluminum, is what helps the bakeware be corrosion free and rust resistant. Also, since steel isn’t the best heat conductor but aluminum is, combining the metals is similar to the concept of using three- or five-ply layers in stainless steel cookware, which also combines steel with a core layer such as copper or aluminum.

Be Aware: Some bakers and home cooks prefer not to have nonstick coating because it can erode over time, and the previous chemicals used for nonstick coatings led to health concerns. Others simply find it helpful to use parchment paper or silicone mats. Different bakers prefer what they find works best based on their equipment and skill level.

Why Choose USA Pan Bakeware?

The Magic of Metal

Metal bakeware is often preferred because of its ability to heat up quickly, produce evenly baked goods, and cool down quickly. The nonstick surface is convenient, especially for novice bakers and cooks. Finally, the metal may be able to withstand a higher temperature than other options in glass or ceramic. Tempered glass bakeware like Pyrex, for example, can also go up to a maximum of 450 degrees like USA Pan bakeware, but that may not be a recommended temperature for all glassware or ceramic products.

The fact that USA Pan combines the benefits of both aluminum and stainless steel is a factor in the brand’s popularity. The baking sheets, for example, feel heavy and solid, unlike other brands that feel flimsy. Most of the rims on the pans incorporate steel wire to resist warping and enhance strength. Remember, though, because these are metal pans, they’re not meant for use in a microwave.

Affordability

USA Pan products can be found just about anywhere in mainstream stores and online, and their products are more affordable but considered high quality. While glass bakeware is typically in the same price range as USA Pan products, the recipes, cooking equipment, and preferences will help determine if metal is the better option for the bakeware material. And it’s helpful to check the product warranties when considering the investment. USA Pan offers a limited lifetime warranty on its products.

Versatility

USA Pan bakeware includes a whole gamut of options, from baking sheets and pans to cake and loaf pans, and a range of specialty pans for baking madeleines to brownie bites to popovers. Products can be purchased individually or in sets, depending on your needs.

Reputation

The company’s history involves decades of testing by professional bakers and the company has been praised for its commitment to quality, durability, and customer service.

What Are the Different Types of USA Pan Bakeware Products?

Baking Sheets

Benefits:

• USA Pan sheets come in quarter, half, and full sizes.
• Heavy-duty versions with a wrapped steel bar rim designed for additional stability and durability are available.
• Handy baking and cooling racks are optional.

Be Aware:

• USA Pans should be handwashed and are not meant for the dishwasher.
• Pans are best maintained if they are washed soon after use to avoid staining.
• The full-size sheets may be too large to fit in some ovens (and cabinets or drawers).
• The maximum recommended temperature is 450°F, so they’re not good for broiling.

Baking Racks

Benefits:

• Racks are designed to fit in each of the sheet pans.
• Sturdy construction.

Be Aware:

• Baking racks must be handwashed.
• It’s best if these are dried thoroughly before storing.

Cookie Sheets & Trays

Benefits:

• The nonstick coating helps baked goods release and easily slide off the sheet.
• The fluted surface design is intended to help avoid warping.
• A thicker rim or tapered edge aid in handling the sheet and removing cookies.

Be Aware:

• Don’t use cooking spray. As with any nonstick cookware or bakeware, cooking spray doesn’t react well with the nonstick surface and if used, it doesn’t easily (or ever) come off and can leave a residue.
• These shouldn’t go in the dishwasher.
• The company recommends using a silicone baking mat, parchment, or foil to help with cleaning and maintaining the sheet’s appearance over time.
• The maximum temperature is 450°F.

Cake Pans

Benefits:

• Pans are available in round, square, or rectangular shapes
• Different sizes are offered to accommodate a wide variety of pans.

Be Aware:

• Some cooks prefer glass options for visibility.
• Some cooks prefer ceramic options for decorative features and presentation.
• Pans don’t easily nest together for more compact storage.
• If not properly cared for, the nonstick coating can erode over time.

Loaf & Bread Loaf Pans

Benefits:

• A wide variety of sizes, from mini to large loaves.
• Inexpensive options for budget-conscious cooks.

Be Aware:

• Handwashing can be tough in the corners.
• Some other loaf pans have better handles for an easier grip.

Muffin & Cupcake Pans

Benefits:

• A variety of sizes to make different sizes of muffins and cupcakes, including fluted cupcakes.
• The nonstick surface helps for easy release.

Be Aware:

• Handwashing is required.
• If not properly maintained, the pans can retain stains or get discolored.
• If not properly maintained, the nonstick coating can erode over time.

Pie & Tart Pans

Benefits:

• Available in a standard 9-inch size.
• A mini fluted tart pan is perfect for making individual savory or sweet tarts.

Be Aware:

• Handwashing is required.
• If not properly maintained, the pans can retain stains or get discolored.

Pizza Pans

Benefits:

• Sizes available in 12-, 14-, or 16-inches to make various pizza sizes from small to large (just like a pizzeria!).
• Metal helps ensure a crispy crust.

Be Aware:

• Some cooks prefer pizza stones rather than using metal.
• Pans are more expensive than some other metal options.

Specialty Baking Pans

Benefits:

• A variety of options, including a brownie bite pan, popover pan, madeleine pan, and hot dog bun pan.
• Designed for single purposes to perfect recipes intended for that food.

Be Aware:

• Specialty pans aren’t necessary for every home kitchen since they’re geared to a specific single use.
• Can be cumbersome to store.

Features to Look for When Buying USA Pan Bakeware

USA Pan is considered a tried-and-tested brand. When buying USA Pan bakeware, consider:

• What types of things do you plan to regularly bake and cook?
• What storage and oven space do you have?
• What’s your budget?
• Do you want a set of bakeware or would you rather purchase items individually?
• Would you prefer not to have a nonstick coating?
• Do you prefer to have bakeware that can go in the dishwasher?

How to Choose the Right Product

USA Pan intends for customers to have their bakeware for a long time. The company stands behind its products with a limited lifetime warranty, which they fulfill provided that customers use the products according to the company’s recommended care and use guidelines for each product.

That said, purchasing these bakeware products certainly doesn’t break the bank. You can set up your kitchen with a well-rounded set of bakeware and spend less than $200.

Consider the following home cooks’ personas to get a sense of what USA Pan options accommodate specific needs.

Janet: The Bake-from-Scratch Mom

Janet has two kids and loves to make sure they eat healthy snacks. It’s been a great motivator to do a lot more baking at home. Janet makes homemade granola, kale chips, a whole range of muffins using different flours and oats, and lots of desserts and sweets that factor in fruits and vegetables (brownies are particularly good for sneaking in veggies).

Features to Look For:

• A durable baking sheet primarily for baking rather than roasting
• Mini-muffin and regular muffin pans
• A rectangular cake pan

USA Pan Examples: A half-sheet pan with a silicone baking mat, 24-cup mini-muffin pan, 12-cup muffin pan, rectangle cake pan

David and Sally: The Newlyweds

David and Sally recently got married and bought their first home. They want to outfit their kitchen with high-quality cookware and bakeware that will last for the duration, and they’d like to start fresh with all-new kitchen gear. They expect to have a family within the next couple of years, and since they now have a beautiful kitchen, they’re getting more interested in expanding their cooking and baking repertoire. One thing they regularly use is sheet pans for roasting veggies, potatoes, sausages, and more.

Features to Look For:

• A well-rounded set of bakeware to accommodate current and anticipated needs

USA Pan Examples: A 9-piece nonstick bakeware set, 6-cup muffin pans

Heather

Heather has decided to give all of her family and friends homemade baked treats for Christmas. She’d love to do something other than traditional cookies, so she’s working on madeleines, cakes, and breads. She wants to have a few pans to help make these items in quantities.

Features to Look For:

• Cake pans
• Loaf pans
• Madeleine pan

USA Pan Examples: Round cake pan set, mini bread loaf pan, strapped mini loaf pan set of 4, madeleine pan, Christmas tree cake pan mold

Find the Best USA Pan Bakeware for You

Most well-rounded kitchens have a variety of baking dishes and pans in different sizes and materials to accommodate a range of recipes. Be sure you also have a selection of wood and silicone utensils, avoiding metal so you don’t scratch or damage any of your bakeware.

Have questions about which bakeware is the best for your kitchen? Contact a Curated Kitchen Expert today — they are here to help with free, personalized advice!