How to Choose the Perfect Pie Dish

Your Guide to buying the best Pie Dishes

Overview

This buying guide will provide useful information on pie dishes and their various features, helping you to make an informed decision when purchasing one. We will discuss the different types of pie dishes available on the market, what features they offer, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. We will also look at the different materials used to make pie dishes and the various sizes available, so that you can find the perfect one to suit your needs.

Key features

  1. Material: Pie dishes come in a variety of materials, including glass, ceramic, metal, and silicone. Consider which material will best suit your needs.
  2. Size: Pie dishes come in a range of sizes, from individual ramekins to large family-sized dishes. Consider the size of your oven, how many people you're feeding, and the size of the pie you're making.
  3. Shape: Pie dishes come in a variety of shapes, such as round, rectangular, and square. Consider the shape that best suits your recipe and desired presentation.
  4. Price: Pie dishes range in price, from affordable bakeware to more expensive, high-end dishes. Consider your budget when making a selection.
  5. Features: Some pie dishes come with special features, such as lids, handles, or built-in vents. Consider if these features will benefit your baking needs.

See the most popular Pie Dishes on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Versatility: Pie dishes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, making them suitable for a wide range of recipes.
  • Convenience: Pie dishes are easy to use and clean up quickly, making them the perfect choice for a quick and delicious dessert.
  • Durability: Pie dishes are typically made from durable materials like glass or metal, ensuring they can last for years with proper care.
  • Affordability: Pie dishes are available at a variety of price points, making them suitable for any budget.

Cons

  • Material: Pie dishes are typically made of ceramic, glass, metal, or silicone. Different materials can affect the baking process, resulting in differing results. Ceramic and glass can shatter if exposed to high heat, while metal can warp or discolor under high temperatures.
  • Size: Pie dishes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the size of the dish affects the size and depth of the pie. If a deep dish is used for a shallow pie, the filling may not cook all the way through.
  • Non-stick: Some pie dishes are made with a non-stick coating. While this can make for easier clean-up, the coating can scratch easily and is not ideal for high-temperature baking.
  • Uniformity: It can be difficult to achieve consistent baking results with a pie dish since the size and shape of the dish can affect the baking process. It can be difficult to evenly distribute heat in a dish with a deep bottom, for example.
  • Durability: Many pie dishes are fragile and can crack or chip easily, so they may not last for a long time. Metal dishes can rust over time, and ceramic dishes can become stained or discolored.

Best alternatives

  1. Cake Pans - Pans with a flat base and sides that are higher than the base to accommodate baking cakes.
  2. Tart Pans - Similar to a pie dish but with a removable bottom, which allows the tart to easily removed from the pan.
  3. Quiche Dishes - A pie dish with a deeper base than standard pie dishes to accommodate thick custard fillings used in quiches.
  4. Springform Pans - Two-piece pans with a removable bottom and sides that are held together by a latch. Used for cheesecakes and other delicate desserts.
  5. Casserole Dishes - Large, deep dishes that are often used to cook and serve meals such as lasagne.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Pie dish - A shallow dish with a wide top, often made of ceramic, glass, or metal, used for baking pies.
  • Pie crust shield - An adjustable metal band that is placed over the crust of a pie while cooking to prevent the edges from burning.
  • Pastry brush - A small brush made of bristles, usually made of nylon, that is used for brushing melted butter or egg wash onto pie crusts or pastries.
  • Rolling pin - A cylindrical rod used for rolling out pastry dough.
  • Pastry blender - A kitchen tool used for cutting butter or shortening into flour to make pie dough and other pastry dough.
  • Cookie cutters - A tool used to cut dough into various shapes for baking cookies or decorating pies.
  • Fluted edge cutter - A tool used to make decorative edges on pie crusts.
  • Dough scraper - A tool used to form and cut dough, scrape up dough from countertops, and transfer dough to pie dishes.
  • Pastry mat - A non-slip surface used for rolling out dough and other baking tasks.
  • Cooling rack - A metal rack with a raised surface that is used for cooling freshly baked pies and other desserts.

Common questions

  1. What materials are Pie Dishes typically made of?
    Pie Dishes are typically made of ceramic, glass, metal, or silicone.
  2. Are Pie Dishes oven-safe?
    It depends on the material the Pie Dish is made of; ceramic, glass, and metal Pie Dishes are generally oven-safe, while silicone Pie Dishes are not.
  3. How can I clean my Pie Dish?
    Pie Dishes should be washed with warm, soapy water and a soft sponge or cloth. If needed, total immersion is also an option.
  4. What size Pie Dish do I need for a 9-inch Pie?
    You will need a 9-inch Pie Dish for a 9-inch Pie.
  5. What is the difference between a Pie Plate and a Pie Dish?
    Pie Plates generally have a shallow depth, while Pie Dishes typically have a deeper depth.
  6. How do I store a Pie Dish?
    Pie Dishes should be stored in a dry, cool place. If possible, they should be stored flat or in a box to prevent warping.

Trivia

One interesting fact about pie dishes is that the term 'pie' was first recorded in 1390. The word was derived from the medieval Latin word pica, which referred to a magpie – the bird – and was thought to be a reference to the dish’s multi-layered, patchwork appearance. The first pies were savory and filled with a variety of meats, fish and vegetables. Sweet pies did not start to appear until the 16th century. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of the phrase ‘pie dish’ was in 1561. Source:https://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/explore/the-history-of-pie-dishes/

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.