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Petit-four
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 21, 2008
Posts: 419
Location: upstate NY
Birthday: Mar 20
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 Posted:
Wed May 28, 2008 7:19 am |
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I’m starting a new thread to give everyone a level playing field.
If you read this thread, please note that I cannot update the original post after a period of time. However, I will check the thread frequently, and be sure to BOLD any suggestions that come in.
Also, I’d like to thanks the entire CC community for a respectful (albeit lively) discussion of the pans. I welcome any one to try their recipes and see what works for them.
The best thing to do is to test the pans for yourself.  |
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Petit-four
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 21, 2008
Posts: 419
Location: upstate NY
Birthday: Mar 20
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| Posted:
Wed May 28, 2008 7:50 am |
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Here is information about the 2 pans:
Place of Manufacture:
FD: Made in China
ML: Made in USA
Method of Construction:
FD: formed aluminum
ML: welded aluminum
Pan Finish:
FD: matte
ML: mirror |
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Petit-four
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 21, 2008
Posts: 419
Location: upstate NY
Birthday: Mar 20
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Wed May 28, 2008 8:04 am |
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Sorry, everyone, I have been trying to get you this info, but am constantly locked out.
After baking a scratch, butter-based white cake at 300 F degrees on regular oven heat, here is what my subjective opinion is:
Baking time for 6” pan: 51 minutes. Internal temperature: 184.1 F
Crumbs on Crust:
FD: C
ML: B
Square Corners and Edges after baking: This was a problem at 300 degrees – I found I had poorer quality corners with both.
FD: C
ML: B |
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Petit-four
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 21, 2008
Posts: 419
Location: upstate NY
Birthday: Mar 20
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| Posted:
Wed May 28, 2008 8:06 am |
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Quality of Pan:
FD: B+ tiny sharp nicks on edges
ML: A smooth edges, no visible flaws
Ease of Removal from Pan (flour and shortening pan prep)
FD: A
ML: A both were great
Ease of Handling Pans: both were comfortable to grip, level, and handled well, even with oven mitts
FD: A
ML: A
Ease of cleaning (hand wash):
FD: A easy and quick
ML: C difficult to clean corners (suggestions were made by CC members to use a toothpick or small brush)
Ease of cleaning (Dishwasher): both came out pristine
FD: A
ML: A
Availability of Other Shapes (comma, hexagon, etc.)
FD: A+
ML: C- |
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Petit-four
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 21, 2008
Posts: 419
Location: upstate NY
Birthday: Mar 20
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| Posted:
Wed May 28, 2008 8:14 am |
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My conclusions (my opinion only):
FD had a better bottom crust, but continued to have problems with crumbs on the corners and sides. After speaking with Greg Skinner, an owner of FD, I used a very thin, flexible spatula to very gently work the edges of the FD pan. I still had crumbing problems with FD.
I used a butter knife on the ML, and had fewer crumbs. ML does not perform very well at the lower temperature, the crust is very soft, but had stable sides.
Suggestion: Bake ML at 320-350, and I will continue to experiment to find an optimal temperature for the FD. The two pans do not do well baked together, since they require different optimal baking temperatures.
Thanks everyone!
Edited for clarity. |
Last edited by Petit-four on Wed May 28, 2008 8:40 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Petit-four
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 21, 2008
Posts: 419
Location: upstate NY
Birthday: Mar 20
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| Posted:
Wed May 28, 2008 8:22 am |
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Ok, some photos: |
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Petit-four
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 21, 2008
Posts: 419
Location: upstate NY
Birthday: Mar 20
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| Posted:
Wed May 28, 2008 8:26 am |
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And this gives a a sense of the crumbs. The FD has a better crust at the lower temperature, but, still, I had crumb issues. I am going to try a boxed mix next at 275 degrees. |
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gottabakenow
Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 04, 2008
Posts: 666
Location: Massachusetts
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Wed May 28, 2008 8:28 am |
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this might be a dumb question but in the pic which pan is which? |
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Petit-four
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 21, 2008
Posts: 419
Location: upstate NY
Birthday: Mar 20
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Wed May 28, 2008 8:38 am |
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Yes, an excellent question! FD on left, ML on right.
Sorry- I have been kicked off so many times that my posts are getting shorter and shorter. |
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twooten173
Frequent Member
Joined: Apr 12, 2007
Posts: 477
Location: Steeler Country
Birthday: May 06
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Wed May 28, 2008 8:52 am |
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Both pans seem pretty sucky to me. I wouldn't want to have to deal with either of these cakes - too many crumbs! |
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aswartzw
Forum Fanatic
Joined: Jul 30, 2007
Posts: 1259
Location: Galloway, OH
Birthday: Apr 07
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Wed May 28, 2008 8:54 am |
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Very interesting thread. I use FD just b/c those are the only ones available to me in my local cake stores. You'd think a city the size of Columbus would have lots of cake stores and a large variety.  Not a chance.
My cakes come out perfect with FD's and I don't even run a knife along the edge to loosen them. I grease and flour the bottoms and sides, remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and shake them to verify they are completely loose. It's amazing how nicely they pop out. Properly greased and floured, my cakes come out perfect and the pans are basically free of all cake. |
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jessfmaldonado
Regular Member
Joined: Feb 18, 2008
Posts: 196
Location: Tampa, FL
Birthday: Dec 02
Gallery Supporter Member
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Wed May 28, 2008 8:55 am |
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petit-four
Thank you so much for your thorough examinations. I know those of us who have been wondering the difference between the pans really appreciate it!!! Thank you so much for your hard work!!! |
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sassycleo
Frequent Member
Joined: Aug 22, 2007
Posts: 301
Location: Va
Birthday: Oct 26
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Wed May 28, 2008 8:59 am |
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Thank you for redoing your test, this is coming from someone in the market to buy a whole new set of pans I wasn't sure which way to go. Your thoroughness, time, effort and literally unbiased opinion is MUCH appreciated! |
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Petit-four
Frequent Member
Joined: Feb 21, 2008
Posts: 419
Location: upstate NY
Birthday: Mar 20
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| Posted:
Wed May 28, 2008 9:04 am |
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Thanks everyone. I've been trying to write a quick thank you, but I keep getting kicked off.
FD's owner also suggested to me on the phone to try baking at 275. |
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gottabakenow
Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 04, 2008
Posts: 666
Location: Massachusetts
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Wed May 28, 2008 9:09 am |
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I'm having problems with CC this morning too- keeps telling me something or other about a "fatal error". oh well. thanks again for the pics and comparison! |
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