Metal conducts heat, browns a crust and holds its shape; silicone releases easily, cannot lose a coating and folds away, but bakes paler and softer. For loaves, layer cakes and brownies, metal; for muffins, mini cakes and shaped molds, silicone.
What each does
| Metal | Silicone | |
|---|---|---|
| Browning | Good — a crisp, colored crust | Pale, soft sides and base |
| Release | Needs greasing or parchment | Easy, peels away once cool |
| Shape | Rigid; carry it by the edge | Flexible; needs a sheet pan under it |
| Baking time | As the recipe | Often a few minutes longer |
| Durability | Coating can scratch; steel can rust | No coating to lose; can tear |
| Storage | Stacks | Folds |
When metal is the better pan
Bread and loaf cakes, layer cakes, brownies, cookies — anything where a browned crust or crisp edge is part of the result. Most recipes are written for metal, so times and temperatures work as stated. On this site: the GoodCook 9 × 5 in nonstick loaf pan at $5.99, the Sur La Table PFAS-free loaf pan at $11.70 and the KitchenAid aluminized steel loaf pan at $14.99.
When silicone is the better pan
Muffins, cupcakes, egg bites, mini cakes and detailed molds, where easy release matters more than browning. In an air fryer, too, where a small flexible mold fits a tapered basket — see can I put a silicone mold in an air fryer.
The silicone rules
- Set it on a sheet pan before filling — see do silicone pans need a tray underneath.
- Grease lightly for the first bakes — see do I need to grease a silicone baking pan.
- Cool 10 minutes, then peel the pan away.
The metal rules
- Grease, flour or line it — see how to stop a cake sticking to the pan.
- No metal utensils on nonstick — see coatings and what kills them.
See the baking tins and molds page for every pan on this site.
Prices quoted in this text were read on 2026-10-18. The live price is at the top of the page.
What readers want to know
Does food take longer to bake in silicone?
Often a few minutes longer, and the outside stays paler, because silicone insulates rather than conducts. Check with a toothpick or a thermometer rather than the clock — most cakes are done at 200 to 210 °F in the center. See how do I know when a cake is done.
Are silicone baking pans safe?
Food-grade silicone is generally considered safe up to its rated temperature, usually about 425 to 450 °F. Buy pans that state the material and the rating; skip cheap ones with a strong smell, or that leave a white mark when twisted, which can point to fillers.
Is aluminum or steel better for a metal pan?
Aluminum conducts heat evenly and browns lightly; aluminized or carbon steel is sturdier and browns more. Dark pans brown faster than light ones — lower the oven by about 25 °F with a dark pan. Most nonstick pans are coated steel.
Last reviewed 18 October 2026