Should I Choose Pie Tin?

What Are Pie Tins

Pie tins, also known as pie pans or pie plates, are a kitchen essential for baking delicious pies, quiches and tarts. They come in different materials like aluminum, glass, ceramic, and silicone, each with its own advantages. Pie tins have a flat bottom and slightly sloped sides, perfect for creating a golden, crispy crust. Some pie pans also have fluted edges, which add beauty to the finished pie.

How Pie ​​and Pie Pan Originated

“Pie” originated in the ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations. The Egyptians at that time used piled dough to surround a sweet filling, which once baked formed a food similar to modern pie.

This food also appeared in the later ancient Greek and Roman periods. Ancient pies usually combined meat, vegetable and fruit fillings, wrapped in dough mixed with flour, water and oil. In the Middle Ages, people began to use animal fat and butter to make pie crusts with a richer taste. The shape of the pie plate has evolved from just round to include rectangular, oval, and other forms.

Ceramic pie tins are the earliest pans in the world. Over time, people began to use metal materials such as tin foil and aluminum to make pie plates. It was not until the early 20th century that disposable pie pans began to appear on the market.

These pie pans were usually disposable, made from aluminum foil, paper, or plastic. They could be thrown away after use, making cooking easier for many people.

Why Foil Pie Pans Are Better Than Others

Aluminum pie plates have excellent thermal heat,  so the pie bakes uniformly. Unlike disposable paper and plastic plates, aluminum foil can handle higher baking temperatures without deforming or cracking.

More importantly, aluminum foil is cheaper than ceramic or stainless steel for pie tins. It comes in various shapes and is disposable, making it ideal for mass production.

Pie Pan Size

Pie plates have many sizes, from 3 to 12 inches in diameter, so there’s a size for every baking need. The most common on the market are the 8 pie pan, 9 pie plate, and 10 inch pie plate.

How To Measure A Pie Pan

Measuring Diameter: To measure the diameter of a round pie pan, use a ruler or measuring tape across the center of the pan from end to end. Some pans may have slightly different diameters, so it’s best to measure at a few spots.

Measuring Depth: Hold the ruler vertically inside the pan and measure from the bottom to the top edge of the pan.

Check the Shape: Most pans are round, but if you have a square or other shaped pan, be sure to measure each side or diameter.

If your pie pan has decorative or extra high edges, you may need to measure separately.
If you’re unsure of the capacity, you can fill the pan with water and measure the volume to confirm its capacity.

Special Aluminum Pie Pans

Pie pans with lids: Some pie pans with lids are designed to better store pies and prevent them from getting damaged during transport. Some people choose a transparent pie tin with lid for aesthetics.

Deep pie pans: deep dish disposable pie pans hold more than pie pans of the same diameter, which prevents fillings from spilling out. The deep design of disposable pie pans helps heat the filling more evenly by transferring heat better to the center.

Mini aluminum pie pans: usually 4-6 inches in diameter, these small, efficient pans are perfect for making tarts. They are cute, reusable, and bake well.

Pie vs Tart Pan

Some people may have doubts about pie tins and tart pans. People think pie pans and tart pans are similar. They are both disposable baking pans, but they are slightly different in shape and depth.

Pie tins are usually deep and wide round containers used for making pies. They are deep with sides and a bottom to hold rich fillings, while tart pans are shallow and wide for making tarts. They are usually shallower than pie pans and have a bottom but no obvious side walls.