Never Cook These Foods In A Glass Pan—Here’s What To Do Instead
Using the right pan is the key to a well-made meal. The wrong type of cookware can easily lead to a kitchen disaster. Glass pans are durable and easy to clean, but they're not the right choice for certain types of food. Understanding which type of dish is best for your meal will help you cook with confidence.
Here are five foods you should never cook in a glass pan (and what to use instead).
Roasted vegetables
Glass pans have thick, insulating walls which results in food cooking more slowly. This is good for some dishes, but roasted vegetables won't brown effectively in glass.
According to baker Joan MacIsaac, "Metal pans heat quicker and thus more moisture will evaporate. This is when sugars in the food will intensify and you get more browning."
Broiled meat
Glass pans are best for dishes that need even, gentle cooking. They don't hold up well to dishes that require longer cook times at higher temperatures.
Using glass for broiled meats can be dangerous, as the glass is at risk of cracking or shattering if kept under intense, direct heat. Metal pans are a safer choice for broiled meats.
Bread
Glass is thicker than metal, which means it heats up at a slower rate. As a result, baking bread in a glass pan won't give you the golden, crisp crust that you want.
Plus, some types of artisan bread require high temperatures that glass pans won't be able to withstand.
Pie
Some bakers like to use glass pie pans because they allow you to visually check the doneness of the crust. However, metal is often more effective for achieving a golden, perfectly flaky crust.
You won't be able to have a sneak peak like you can with glass, but it's worth the switch for a more consistent bake.
Frozen food
Cooking frozen food in a glass pan can be dangerous due to the drastic temperature change. The glass may crack or shatter when the ice cold food is exposed to high heat.
Metal pans are a safer and more reliable choice when heating frozen dishes in the oven.
Glass pans are durable, easy to clean, and great for dishes that require slow, even cooking. They're a great option for high-moisture dishes like casseroles, fish, or baked dishes with lots of sauce.
However, they're not the right choice for dishes that require quicker, more intense heating. Using the right pan is an important part of creating safer, more satisfying meals.