Buying a cookie sheet, spend or save?!
Answers: I don't mind spending a little extra money on something if it will make a difference in the quality of my food. Is there a lot of difference between those expensive cookie sheets and a cheap one? Should I spring for a good one or save for something else?
It seems I've bought just about every type of cookie sheet there is and in the end they all seem about the same. I use to consider cookie sheets as disposable & would buy new ones every year...until I started using parchment paper. It saves the cookie sheet and deters from burning cookies. Just buy the cheap cookie sheets & use parchment paper.
I would say save. They're all pretty much the same, just make sure to get non-stick, it'll only be 2-3 more dollars than the cheapest.
For a cookie sheet just get a cheap one.
Get a good one. The cheaper ones tend to warp very easily.
I don't know where you live, but here, some of the school food services have fund raisers where you can buy the same sheet pans they use (as well as really good knives). If that isn't an option for you, then try a kitchen store in the mall. Walmart has a small version of the school pans that's good too.
If you plan to bake cookies often, spring for good-quality cookie sheets. Otherwise, get less expensive ones. I don't know much about them. My mom was here and wanted to make cookies so she picked out some that are teflon-coated and rather thick, they've held up well the couple of times I've used them. I don't like those Airbake ones, they suck (I was making cookies at work and one lady brought them in).
I'm partial to AirBake.
I buy throw-away aluminum cookie sheets that you get in the same aisle as the foil when you go to the market. They sell 2 or 3 in a package. I reuse one and put it on top if the other when I use it...the bottoms don't burn.
To buy a high-quality pan like that would cost about 10x what I pay, and I only bake 2-3 days/year. I have cheaper pans...they are not worth it.
My philosiphy on cooking gear (or any tool) has always been 'buy a good one and you'll only have to buy it once'. I'd spend the extra on a really good one (you shouldn't have to 'save', they're not that expensive) but if you do try to reserve its use to cookies & similiar items and not let it become an everyday catch-all.
I buy those cheap aluminum ones and they do just fine. I even have covered it with a piece of aluminum wrap and used it over and over again.
I have a set of really cheap ones and a set of outrageously expensive ones....and honestly they work about the same, the cheap ones seem to cook a little faster and tend to brown the bottoms if I don't cut the time down a few minutes and leave cookie marks on the pan where you can see they have baked (hasn't affected baking quality though), but other than that no difference. Just make sure they are non-stick.
Buy a good cookie sheet, if your planning on using them often. Cheaper ones warp and get nasty fast.
My favorite cookie sheets are really old and look horrible but I keep them because they were my mom's. I simply put a silpat down on them if I think what I'm cooking might stick. Usually cooking spray works too. I'll tell what not to get and thats those sheets without sides. My brand new one (a gift) let's my cookies slide right off-there's nothing to stop them once they get slipping. Price does not seem a huge factor. You can hate an expensive one. Keep baking!
hey mon , go to a resturant supply store, and buy the kind with the rolled edges, the won't cost any more than some fancey name and keep them clean and they will last you a life time. cheap junk is excatly what it is, i buy all my cooing and baking equipment at resturant stores most of time the people there are really helpful, and they don't sell crap. good luck and happy baking bacondebaker