The Biggest Mistakes with Baking Sheets

Baking sheets are extremely versatile for baking, broiling, roasting and much more. Combine a sheet with a wire rack and you’ll be able to perfectly cool baked goods, drain foods post-frying and make oven-cooked bacon. Avoid these common mistakes to keep them in their best condition.

Sheets in the Dishwasher. An aluminum sheet pan will discolor in a dishwasher. They will also warp over time and leave them with a splotchy texture. It’s best to hand-wash these and always refer to the best cleaning methods based on the material.

Incorrect Utensils. A metal utensil on a nonstick pan is a recipe for disaster. It will cause scratches and damage over time. Stick to wooden or silicone utensils for these kinds of pans. If you’re in the possession of uncoated aluminum sheet pans then it’s perfectly fine to use metal utensils.

Older Baking Sheet Use. Not every browned baking sheet should be tossed out! In fact they brown food better than newer shiny ones. It’s always possible to clean even the dirtiest baking sheets.

Warped Sheets. If a sheet pan is warped then it’s better to get rid of it. You can tell a baking sheet is warped if you hear a popping sound in the oven when it bakes. This means the sheet is no longer laying flat and can result in your food cooking unevenly. Oils will drip to one side, leaving your food parched on the other side.

Quality Sheets. Not all sheets are created equal. A flimsier sheet is bound to warp much faster and you’ll end up needing to replace them more quickly. Look for durable, warp-resistant baking sheets that’ll last you years of problem-free baking.

Source: the Kitchn