How to Find the Best Meatloaf Pan

How to find the Best Meatloaf Pan

Meatloaf is a timeless classic when it comes to family dinners. One of the most important factors when making meatloaf, and  something that is generally overlooked, is the pan in which you cook  your meatloaf. There are so many things to consider when it comes  to the pan you use to cook your meatloaf that you really need to take  the time to consider your options. After all, if you use the wrong  pan, you can make the perfect meatloaf only to have it ripped apart  when trying to remove it from the pan (how many times has that   happened  to you?).

Know Your Pans

Many people use a regular bread pan for cooking their meatloaf. Others use a baking sheet or cook their meatloaf freestyle, which means forming it and putting it on a rack above a baking sheet. Regular loaf pans certainly have the right shape, but it can be difficult to get the meatloaf out of the pan, even if it’s non-stick. Baking sheets and freestyle allow for a crispier meatloaf, but they can dry out more easily. If you cook meatloaf often (and who wouldn’t!), then having a specialized meatloaf pan in which to cook it is ideal. Fortunately, these specialized pans exist and are easy to find. A specialized pan for cooking meatloaf has one main characteristic that separates it from regular loaf pans, a removable insert that allows the meatloaf to do two things: · Drain during baking · Be removed from the pan very easily With a specialized pan for cooking meatloaf, there is no more flipping the loaf pan over and hoping your meatloaf comes out in one piece. Just grab the handles of the insert and lift the meatloaf out of the pan and it is ready to cut and serve. You will want to be sure to use a non-stick pan, of course. Silicon pans are also available and work well. There are also some pans that have inserts with no long sides, which allow for a crispier meatloaf all around and allow the loaf to be cut easily. An added bonus is that without the insert, this specialized pan can still be used as a regular bread pan, so you really have two pans in one.

Size Does Matter

Another thing to consider when choosing a meatloaf pan is what size you need.

• How many people are you cooking for?
• Do you want to use individual pans or one large pan?

You can find pans for meatloaf that come in a wide range of sizes and you can even get round pans. It might be a good idea to keep several sizes of pans in your cupboard so you always have the right size for the occasion, whether it’s just the two of you having a nice dinner alone, the kids and grandma and grandpa are joining you, or you are cooking for a potluck. If you are cooking for a lot of people, then you should probably cook two meatloaves (or a lot of individual loaves). Fortunately, you can purchase pans in sets of two.

Where to Find the Right Pan for Your Meatloaf

It is easy to find loaf pans designed specifically for cooking meatloaf. You want to be sure to check the following:

1. Is it non-stick?
2. Does it have a removable insert?
3. Does the insert have sides or not?
4. Does it have perforations to allow the fat to drain away?
5. Can you get the size you need?

You can find a good meatloaf pan at many of your local department stores, houseware stores, or kitchen stores. You can also shop online to find great deals on speciality pans for cooking meatloaf. These pans usually range in price between $10 and $30 each, depending on the brand and size of the pan.

Meatloaf is a favorite that has been enjoyed for decades. It is an easy, versatile meal that is ideal for the family and having the right pan in which to cook it makes it that much easier to make. So forget your regular loaf pan and get yourself a loaf pan designed specifically for cooking meatloaf. When you use one of these specialty pans you will be able to watch your meatloaf success rate improve and your family enjoy a favorite meal.