When baking something in your kitchen, pan size is something that matters a lot, but people don’t usually pay attention to it that much. Those who know what difference the size of a pan makes, always have a variety of pans in their collection. For example, if you have a 9×13 pan, which is the standard size when it comes to baking pans, the size can be an issue when baking something in small amounts.
In today’s post, we’ll be going over whether you should use a 9×13 pan instead of an 8×8 pan. Not only that, you’ll be learning about a lot of things related to the size of the pans, what effects it has on the baking process, etc. So stay tuned for that. Let’s get going now.
What Are The Prime Differences Between 9×13 and 8×8 Pans?
The difference is in terms of the size, shape, and quantity a 9×13 inch pan can hold as compared to the 8×8 one. The 8” pan is in a square shape, which is perfect for baking some good dishes. In our opinion, you can use a 9×13 pan instead of an 8×8 inch pan, but you shouldn’t all the time. Quantity-wise, a 9×13 pan can hold approximately double amounts as compared to the 8 inches pan. It’s because the surface area is much larger (117 square inches) with a 9×13 pan.
What Impact Does The Size Of A Pan Has On The Baking Process?
The size of the pan has a much larger impact on the baking process than you think. For example, the same quantity baked in a 9×13 pan would be baked faster than in an 8-inch pan. You may ask: why is that? Well, the reason is pretty simple, the larger the surface area exposure of the baked food item, the faster it’ll bake. If the exposed area is larger then the heat will evaporate the water much faster, and as result, the recipe you’re baking will bake faster.
- Read Also: 8X8 Pan Substitutes
What To Do When The Pan Is Too Big For The Recipe?
Baking cookies and cupcakes in a larger pan always work, but the problem occurs when you have the thin batter and it’ll spread in the full area of the pan. Well, some people suggest that you should use heavy-duty aluminum foil to size down the pan. You can do that, but it’s not recommended, however, we always suggest going for a visit to the market and buying a new and right-sized pan instead. All the solutions would work temporarily until you buy the correct size pan, and it’ll expand your pan collection as well. However, 9×13 is the most standard size with incredible versatility, but still, we’d recommend expanding your pan collection.
Conclusion
Alright, now you know whether you should use a 9×13 pan instead of an 8×8 one or not. We’ve tried our best to explain why the size factor of a pan plays an important role in the baking process. So you can decide which one to use on your own.
Hi, my name is Ashley Robinson. I’m a food blogger and a part time chef in Food & Drink Junction, Denver. With my blog I’m sharing information & tutorials about different kinds of cooking pans.
