Commercial baking is an exacting job wherein the pursuit of consistency is ever-present. Absolutely every component is scrutinized for its impact on the final product. Yet, a fundamental piece of equipment — the sheet pan — has historically presented a series of quiet, persistent challenges that subtly undermine even the most meticulous operations. For commercial bakers and chefs, we’ve found a solution to these systemic pain points. But more on that to follow.
The Warped Pan Effect
For bakers and chefs alike, there are a few constants in life: early mornings, the comforting scent of vanilla, and the perpetual struggle with sheet pans. One frequently encountered issue that cannot stand in a commercial setting is pan warping. Exposure to the extreme and rapid temperature changes daily often causes sheet pans to buckle or twist, leading to inconsistent results. Suddenly, your perfectly proofed dough slides to one side, your cookies bake unevenly, and delicate pastries are destined for the trash. Furthermore, trying to stack them for storage and transport becomes an activity too reminiscent of playing Jenga.
The Wear and Tear of Imperfect Sheet Pans
The longevity (or lack thereof) of sheet pans under continuous, heavy-duty use and temperature fluctuations weakens the metal. Without a smooth surface and a lack of durability that every item in our commercial kitchens needs, sheet pans become recurring line items on the budget that feels like throwing money into a black hole — but not if you choose the right one.
Innovations That Address Industry Demands
The best foodservice industry equipment and smallwares manufacturers address the operational challenges bakers and chefs face by going straight to the source and asking them — and then they innovate. In that light, one notable development by Chicago Metallic was to essentially re-engineer sheet pans and we couldn’t be happier with the results.
The real game-changer lies in their name. StayFlat® Sheet Pans are engineered to maintain their shape and flat, even surface under normal and even extreme temperatures. The method used to increase the tensile strength of the pan also creates a slightly concave bottom that flattens during heating for even distribution and increased resistance to denting, warping, and bowing.
StayFlat® Sheet Pans eliminate the classic flared sidewalls, to instead feature sidewalls that are continuously reinforced with a horizontal engineered rib. This feature increases sidewall strength up to 30% and provides an easy visual identification reference for situations where stronger, flatter sheet pans are required.
Not to mention, products bake evenly every time, they are perfectly stackable, transporting baked items is smooth, and the consistent results mean less waste and happier customers. Next, let’s take a closer look at Chicago Metallic’s product line.
The StayFlat® Sheet Pan Collection
By tackling long-standing design challenges, StayFlat® Sheet Pans, including those that are NSF-certified, offer bakeries and restaurants a clear pathway to improved operational flow, heightened hygiene, consistent output, and durability. All of the following sheet pans are manufactured in the United States with global materials.
StayFlat® Sheet Pans
The StayFlat® Sheet Pan line has many options available to cover all of your possible baking needs. Choose from glazed or plain pans, 16 or 18 gauge, band or wire in the rim, perforation, full or half size, and hardcoat anodized aluminum.
- Perforated options are ideal for convection oven use to achieve a perfect crispy texture.
- Glazed options feature AMERICOAT® ePlus, a silicon-based, non-stick, and non-toxic coating that is responsibly manufactured and derived from naturally occurring minerals. The glaze reduces the need for secondary release agents, such as oil or paper, by up to 50% and offers long-lasting performance with approximately 300 to 600 releases achieved before recoating is required.
NSF StayFlat® Sheet Pans
NSF StayFlat® Sheet Pans are available in three sizes: full, half, and third-size. Full and half sizes feature 16 gauge aluminum with a band in the rim. The third-size addition features a sanitary open bead, semi-curled rim for enhanced accessibility, easy cleaning, and durability, as the pan rim design eliminates corrosion around the wire. All options are plain/uncoated.
Understanding NSF Certification
As their name shows, this line includes NSF certification, earned through rigorous testing by the National Sanitation Foundation. NSF certification further signifies that these pans are an excellent commercial product with superior health and safety standards, perfect for the foodservice industry.
When your once even surface warps, sheet pans become a battleground of baked-on residue, especially rolled edges, which are prone to trapping grease, crumbs, and other food leftovers. Despite valiant efforts and industrial dishwashers, those tiny nooks and crannies invite grease and burnt bits to become permanent residents. Now, we are left with hygiene concerns and a colossal waste of labor because of the extra scrubbing, soaking, and scraping. Not to mention, the increased likeliness of rust in the pan rim and the potential for future contamination.
With NSF-certified sheet pans, cleaning becomes quick, thorough, and genuinely sanitary again, with less scrubbing and less frustration. Now, it’s just sparkling clean sheet pans on the horizon and staff can be reallocated to more productive tasks.
Solving Commercial Baking’s Toughest Challenges
The evolution of sheet pan design, embodied by the innovative StayFlat® technology, decisively confronts the enduring issues of distortion and resilience that have long plagued commercial baking. These pans deliver consistent, superior results and improve operational efficiency for every baker and chef.
Shop All Chicago Metallic
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For more than 120 years, the Chicago Metallic name has been synonymous with innovative products, superior quality, and exceptional service. Today, we manufacture more than 300 different baking pans and ship to customers worldwide. As a Bundy Baking Solutions brand, we share expert resources with well-known top brands including American Pan, Pan Glo, and USA PAN. Our pans are manufactured in the United States with global materials. Our knowledgeable and experienced teams allow us to control the entire pan manufacturing process — from design to manufacture to coating to refurbishment. Chicago Metallic is located in Humboldt, Tennessee.
I love my baking pans from Chicago Metallic! They never disappoint me!