What kind of pan works best with a waterbath?
Whenever I bake cheesecake or flan, my springform pan always leaks into the water bath or vice/versa. Is there a better type of pan to use when baking with a water bath?
Best Answer
You pretty much have to use the sprinform pan with cheesecakes, otherwise you can't get the cheesecake out of the pan. If you don't care to remove the cheesecake from the pan whole, then you can use anything you want—a deep cake pan would work well, for example.
There are two ways to help keep the springform pan from leaking:
Wrap the sprinform pan (the entire bottom, and up the sides) in aluminum foil. Use two layers of foil, especially if you're using the cheap thin stuff.
Find a round cake pan slightly larger than your sprinform pan (say, a 10" wide, 3" deep pan with a 9" springform). Sit the springform pan inside the cake pan, then put the cake pan in the bain-marie (so the water isn't actually touching the springform pan). This suggestion comes from Cooks Illustrated (sorry, paywall), who tested this and found the small gap doesn't matter.
If you're doing a lot of cheesecakes, then you can get a 10"x3" cake pan on Amazon for $10–15.
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Quick Answer about "What kind of pan works best with a waterbath?"
For the small pan, glass or porcelain is best. Metal pans work, but since the custard can burn more easily, you'll have to watch it more carefully. The large pan, ideally a roasting dish, should have high sides. The small pan should fit snugly inside, with a 1/2- to 1-inch gap around it.What kind of pan do you use for water bath?
To bake using a water bath, you will need a baking pan that is large enough to hold a springform pan (or other baking dish), and is also large enough to allow for water to surround the springform pan.Can I use an aluminum pan for a water bath?
Larger baking pan, cake pan, saut\xe9 pan, or roasting panYou can also place a large disposable foil pan on top of a rimmed sheet pan for the water bath. Ideally you want something that's just a couple inches larger than the springform pan.Can I use a skillet for a water bath?
You can use any pan that is larger than the original cheesecake pan. I recommend something that is at least 3-inches in diameter wider so you have room for the foil, bag and water and it's not too tight. I often use a roasting pan or large cast iron pan, or even a very large round cake pan would work.Can I put a springform pan in a water bath?
Protect your cheesecake by either setting your springform pan inside a slightly larger cake pan before placing in the water bath or wrapping your pan in foil\u2014yes, even if it's \u201cleak-proof.\u201d You don't want any water seeping inside.4 Types of Toxic Cookware to Avoid and 4 Safe Alternatives
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Answer 2
Consider a round silicone baking pan.
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