Loaf Pans and Bread Pans

Finding the right bread tin for your needs

Bread tins, also known as loaf pans, are a type of cake tin that is rectangular in shape and has deep walls that allow for rising. Used by both home cooks and professional bakers, they were made specifically for baking bread but can also be used to bake a wide range of other foods, including banana bread and other loaf cakes, meat loaf and terrines. When buying one, consider these factors:

• Size. There are large loaf pans for baking impressive high-domed breads, longer-style bread tins for baking baguettes, mini loaf pans for bread rolls and more.

• Material. Bread tins are commonly made from aluminium, glass, cast iron, silicone, ceramic and stainless steel.

• Features. A non-stick finish will help your baked goods slip easily out of the tin, perforated holes improve air circulation for crunchier crusts and a lid will keep the bread nice and square-shaped.

From silicone to carbon steel - understanding your materials when choosing a bread tin

A bread tin can be made out of a number of different materials, each with their own unique benefits. The most common you will find include:

1. Silicone - A silicone loaf pan is flexible which makes removing the finish product easy. They are also oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher-safe. Silicone is not a strong conductor of heat which means bread and cakes will have lighter sides.

2. Glass - A glass bread pan is slow to heat but has excellent heat retention. The transparency of the material is great for observation during the baking process.

3. Ceramic - Like glass, ceramic loaf pans heat slowly and retain heat well. They are also rustic and typically available in a variety of cheerful colours. They're especially great for baking meat loafs and casseroles.

4. Cast iron - Cast iron bread tins come in enamelled cast iron or raw cast iron that needs to be seasoned before each use to make it non-stick. It has superior heat retention and will give your bread a golden crust.

5. Stainless steel - Stainless steel is non-stick and heats evenly. It's also rust-proof and easy to clean.

6. Aluminised steel - This bread tin is made from steel but has an aluminium coating which makes it non-stick. It's strong, durable and has great heat conductivity properties.

Different types, sizes and shapes of loaf pan to choose from

Our baking tins for bread come in all shapes and sizes to accomodate any baking need. We have medium and large bread tins, as well as bread roll trays for baking mini baguettes and loaf cakes. The stunning Emile Henry Round Bread Baker will give you a large rounded bread shape that's great for bruschetta and garlic bread! Make traditional artisan bread in a tin with round edges or choose straight edges for a sharply squared bread, such as the Bakemaster Non-Stick Box Sided Loaf Pan.

If you're after a golden crust, the Bakemaster Non-Stick Perfect Crust Box Sided Loaf Pan is perforated to allow air to circulate the dough during baking and form an even and crispy crust.