For the uninitiated, the world of muffin pans can be a little bit intimidating. If you look out on the muffin tin market you will find that every nook and cranny has been flooded with all types of different muffin pans with different shape, materials, and even size.
The trouble presented by all of these different muffin tin types is that it can be intimidating even if you are an experienced baker. If you have been baking for years you might notice that the way things used to be Don are no longer common. It used to be that you would go to a large retail outlet, find the piece of kitchen equipment that you were looking for, and you would bring it home with the knowledge that it would be of some type of quality, and that you could use it for years to come in all likelihood.
People no longer tend to shop that way. The modern reality is that more often than not people will elect to go to large retail stores that specialize in discount products and they will pick the cheapest available option to them. The end result is that often times they will pick a product, particularly a muffin tin, that proves to be incredibly low quality, and does not serve the purpose it was intended for more than a couple months. Inevitably, the same individual will go back to the same store and purchase another, and at the end of the day they end up spending far more money than I intended to on the simple piece of kitchen equipment.
This is not the only current model of shopping that is popular amongst people. Another way in which people get their kitchen equipment is by getting online and finding the perfect piece of kitchen equipment that they have been looking for. Often times individuals will be pleasantly surprised by the relative low-cost, as well as the fact that shipping costs are reasonable. The trouble is that when you purchase something online you do not have the opportunity to see it up close, nor do you have the opportunity to see if the description online matches the actual product that you will be receiving.
Whether you were purchasing your kitchen equipment at a discount retailer, or else online, the final result is much the same. You are liable to end up with a piece of equipment that is subpar, and does not get the job done in the way that you were hoping that it would.
Luckily, there is a way in which you can fight this trend. What you can do is educate yourself about the finer points of a muffin tin, and by doing so you enable yourself to find the perfect thing available on the market that will not in the long run disappoint you.
Help you better understand the realities of what is out there on the muffin tin market we have compiled a few essential facts that you should first understand before making any final purchases.
Muffin Tin Basics
A muffin tin (known as a bun tray in the UK) is a piece of kitchen equipment that allows you to cook to be goods and a few recipes simply that you might not otherwise be able to. The most common food items typically made using a muffin tray are, of course, the muffin and also the cupcake. The idea is that a muffin tin acts as a kind of mold that gives both cupcakes and muffins their signature look.
Well this might on its surface seem like a simple idea, the reality is that the actual market has a great deal of diversity in terms of what you can get with your muffin tin. The ways in which one muffin tin will vary from the next is great, and it is essential that you understand first all the ways in which they can distinguish themselves from one another.
First it is important that you understand the sizing of a muffin tray. This is to say that the actual cops included in a muffin tray will vary from one muffin tray to another, and it is important that you understand exactly what you were looking for out of your muffin tray. If you want a standard muffin tray size in terms of cup size, it essential that you find a cup that measures 3 1/2 ounces. 3 1/2 ounces is the standard cup size for muffin trays, and it will produce muffins and cupcakes that are ideal for all occasions.
It is worth noting that not all muffin trays adhere to the standard size, however. There are in fact cops out there that you will find which are larger than the standard size and also, in some cases, smaller.
The smaller muffin cup sizes produce what is commonly referred to as mini muffins, and some people appreciate the smaller size of these final product. The standard size for a mini muffin tin is 2 1/8 ounces, making it smaller than a standard muffin tray but also large enough that you can count on your muffins not getting burnt if you time you’re baking accordingly.
Now a larger sized muffin tray in terms of cup size is also available. The muffins that are manufactured using larger cup size are typically referred to as jumbo muffins. Jumbo muffins are typically made using muffin trays that have cups measuring 8 3/16 ounces. Again, it is essential that you adjust baking time accordingly to cook jumbo muffins properly. The cooking times between mini muffins, standard muffins, and jumbo muffins will vary greatly.
The actual cup size is not the only way in which a muffin tin will differ from one to the next. You can count on a standard muffin tray typically having 12 cups. Typically these cups are arranged in three rows of four cups, and makes what many people consider to be the perfect amount of muffins or cupcakes: one dozen. With that being said, a dozen muffins is not the only size currently available. On the market you can typically find muffin tins that makes 6, 8, 11, 24, and 35 muffins. The exact muffin size that you were looking for in relation to the number of trays varies from person to person and you should take stock of what you need out of your muffin tray before making a final decision.
Final Thoughts
That is an essence everything you need to know about muffin trays before you go out and purchase one for yourself. Above everything else, remember that the best muffin pan as a means to have fun while baking or cooking and should be treated as such. Good luck on your future baking endeavours!
While you’re here, be sure to check out our kitchen product reviews!