10 Best Baking Dishes in the Philippines 2024 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Baker

Glass baking dishes, such as Pyrex, borosilicate, and marble glasses, are the most expensive kind of baking dish to buy. They insulate heat rather than being conductors. They suit well for a casserole, lasagna, and even roast beef. Also, glass is nonreactive to any food ingredient that may cause unpleasant after-taste.

One great use of glass baking dish is once they are heated up, they can maintain that heat for a long time compared to other materials. You can keep the food warm when served. Its smooth surface area acts as a natural, non-stick surface - hence, easy to clean.

However, glass dishes can result in uneven heat dissipation. They can cause darkening of the bread's crust - not recommended for baking pastries and bread loaves.  

Ceramic dishes like glass dishes, don't heat up in the oven as much as metal pans. But once heated, they can hold that heat pretty well.

 
The only main difference is that ceramic dishes can handle higher temperatures of up to 800° Celsius or 1472° Fahrenheit compared to their glass counterparts. They also come in many colors and patterns that can bring life to your dining table and kitchen.

Enameled cast iron's popularity is growing among chefs and ordinary home cooks. Le Creuset is one of the most famous and trusted brands of this baking dish. It comes with a shiny surface with many color choices. But more than its visual appeal, it is a sought-after baking dish because it distributes the heat evenly and consistently. 

The cast iron is heavy and durable for long-term use. Meanwhile, the enamel coating is made with porcelain, a non-metal material. It prevents the iron from reacting to acidic foods like tomato sauce, vinegar, citrus fruits, and wines. The exterior is enamel-coated too to avoid cracks and chip-offs.

It's undeniably versatile because it is that one kitchen cookware that does most cooking methods—fry, saute, stew, boil, broil, and bake. Enamel cast iron works superbly on a stovetop, on a grill, and of course, in the oven. However, it is important to learn the proper handling and cleaning for this type of baking dish. When washing, you should remember not to scrub harshly to protect the coating from being damaged.

Casserole dishes, sometimes called lasagna dishes, are rectangular-shaped, known to be the most versatile among the baking dishes. A rectangle pan usually averages somewhere between 11 x 7 and 13 x 9 in inches. It is the largest among the baking dishes, so they come in handy during parties. They're easy to store as well!

You can use them in almost everything! Make some tuna and cheese casserole and lasagna for dinner, cook a flavorful roast beef or chicken in your family gathering, and even a Sicilian pizza for a movie night! We highly recommend having one as your multi-purpose pan. 

A round or oval baking dish has the same ability as the casserole-type, only smaller in the possible number of servings. You can even bake great-quality cakes using a ceramic one! The traditional round dishes measure 6 x 2 inches. But they can go up to 10 x 2 inches in size. 

This type is a good kitchen addition for a small-sized family. However, keep in mind that they can be challenging to store, especially when you have limited storage or fridge space. They are great for making gratin, baked mac, shepherd's pie, ratatouille, and many more dishes!

The main purpose of a loaf dish, as its name suggests, is for baking bread loaf. Compared to other types, it is the deepest which allows the bread to rise. However, its use is not just limited to bread! You may use this for making meatloaf as well, bake some saucy food, or say a "high lasagna".

Very similar to a round pan but with a lower and angled rim. Pie pans sizes are usually 8 inches in diameter and with an inch of the outer wall. If you buy one, get ready to make lemon meringue pie, chicken pot pie, or some savory quiche! You can also try and season the pan to make transferring pies easier.

These are small circular bowls intended to create single-serving dishes. They are usually made of porcelain or ceramic to withstand the oven's heat instead of the wooden or fragile glass ones used on cheeseboards or as serving bowls. Ramekins are great for desserts or baked appetizers, especially souffles, and are typically bought in pairs or bundles of four to eight.