There are few things more motivating than a new cookbook. I recently added Caroline Chambers’ What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking and Alison Roman’s Something from Nothing to my kitchen cookbook shelf and found myself wanting to cook a little more often. Both books have the kind of recipes that make you want to open the fridge, see what you have and start making dinner instead of overthinking it.
New recipes also mean new kitchen gear, or at least a good excuse for some. When I find myself reaching for the same type of pan over and over again, I take it as a sign that it might be time for an upgrade. So going into fall, I got the Baker’s Signature Stainless Steel Cookie Sheet set.
The set comes with three sizes: nine, 12 and 16 inches. Having all three has been useful. The smaller pans are perfect when I’m just roasting vegetables for lunch or making something for one or two people. The larger size is great for roasted chicken and vegetables, cookies, sheet-pan dinners and anything else that needs a little extra room.
What I like most about these pans is that they’re stainless steel without a coating. They’re made from food-grade stainless steel and are PFOA-, lead- and cadmium-free, so there’s no nonstick surface to scratch or worry about over time. They also feel sturdy without being overly heavy, which isn’t always the case.
They’re oven-safe up to 450 degrees, which covers most of what I make at home. I’ve used them for everything from roasting broccoli to baking cookies and they’ve held up well so far. Food releases easily and cleanup is simple because they’re dishwasher-safe, although if my mother taught me anything, it’s to hand-wash something like this. Old habits die hard.
Another thing I appreciate is how lightweight they are. Even the largest pan feels easy to maneuver in and out of the oven. The rolled edges make them more comfortable to grip, especially when you’re carrying something hot or balancing a full tray of vegetables from the kitchen to the table.
I also love that the instructions mention you can pop them into the freezer or even use them as serving trays. That’s probably not the first thing most people think of when buying sheet pans, but it’s nice when kitchen tools can do more than one job. They’re practical and ready for your meals from the pages of your favorite cookbook, new or old.
