Nordic Ware Bakers Half Sheet

Be sure to read this whole review because there is a very happy ending!!

First the things I like...the pan is nice and heafty and well balanced. It's made in the USA. It heats evenly and does a great job baking cookies, and other dough items....actually everything I've baked on it. Now my big beef with this product! I wouldn't feel comfortable putting any food DIRECTLY on this pan. Every time you wash it...(and I do follow recommended instructions and wash by hand)...everything turns a muddy gray...the sponge, the rinse water, your hands, everything. It's even hard to wash the gray off your hands after your done. I hate that so just won't let food actually cook on the surface. I'll always use parchment paper. Don't trust all that gray metallic colored residue that comes off in the washing process.

Update Feb 20, 2012: I sent Nordic Ware an e-mail asking if they could explain the reason for all the gray metal color all over everything when I wash this pan. I told them I was very happy to buy a pan made in the USA and the product did perform flawlessly. I was just concerned about all the leaching of whatever it is. Never got a reply.

Update Nov 19, 2012: After almost a year someone commented on my feedback suggesting I try contacting Nordic Ware customer service again. Thank you Bon!! I felt it only fair to try again since so many people love this sheet. Low and behold I received a quick reply. After explaining the situation, they e-mailed a form to fill out and mail in. I just got an e-mail saying they received it, reviewed the information, and they're sending me a new pan because THE GRAYING I'M EXPERIENCING IS NOT NORMAL. I don't know what happened to my original e-mails but based on THIS customer service experience with Nordic, I'd say it was a flawless experience. The service was friendly, quick, and fair. As soon as I receive the new sheet, I'll wash it, use it, wash it one more time and then report back. I suspect it will be a totally different experience this time....the way we do it here IN THE USA!!!!

Update Dec 3, 2012: I have received the replacement half sheet. After washing several times I have no problem with gray residue. I'm convinced the first sheet I received was defective. This one is perfect...just what I expected from Nordic Ware. This is a company no one should ever be concerned about dealing with. They stand behind their products and, not only deliver quality products, but back them with quality customer service. I'm a believer.

Every single other cookie/baking sheet I've owned has made that dreaded "bong" sound within minutes of being put in an oven hotter than 300 degrees. It's annoying, it makes the food slide around, and it cannot be good for the pan to warp and unwarp like that. So this time I went looking for professional bakeware. I love Nordic Ware; they make quality stuff without charging you an arm and a leg. These work perfectly. They fit well into my standard home oven (plenty of space around it for proper air circulation), they brown my cookies beautifully on the bottom, and the rolled edge seems pretty sturdy. The only negative thing I will say is the gauge could be a little thicker. I'm used to Nordic Ware products being extremely heavy; and while these are certainly heavier than your average cookie sheet, they are not as heavy as I expected. Batch after batch of holiday cooking doesn't lie, however. Everything has come out perfect, so maybe the gauge isn't such a big deal after all.

Just a side note, whenever I cook something on any cookie/baking sheet, I always cover it in parchment or foil. It makes clean up easier, and spares the pans the greasy, ever-darkening coating of oil otherwise needed. I would suggest it personally.

Buy Nordic Ware Bakers Half Sheet Now

Sick of cheapie "cookie sheets" that buckle when you use them and only last a couple of years? Spend a little and get a pro 1/2 sheet pan. It's very sturdy and will probably last a home user a lifetime (heck, they last years in commercial kitchens). Fits in standard home ovens.

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I like these pans. I know there are several other models out there, but these are about as cheap as any and are made in Minnesota. The sheets are thick, haven't warped, and are perfectly nice in every way.

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This pan (Nordic Ware Bakers Half Sheet) is almost what I've been looking for but not quite hence the 4 star rating. The pan does pass the "no warping" test with flying colors, even at 425 degrees, and cookies come out fantastic. But ... it's not as heavy as expected and the sides are slanted so the pan's measurements are misleading. The 13 x 8 measurement is at the top of the pan, outside to outside. The bottom inside measurement is closer to 12 x 17 (it slants that much). My 12 x 17 CIA racks barely fit with the little feet not touching the bottom of the pan. It's such a tight fit that when I press the racks down to get them level it puts little gouges in the pan's sides. It bothers me more though that the slanted sides weren't in the description. I'm still looking for a "great commercial quality baking sheet" that is worthy of my CIA racks, doesn't cost a fortune, doesn't put slanted sides on my brownies or my cakes and still doesn't warp. Why is this such a difficult thing to find?!

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