Best Rimmed Baking Sheets Tested

Source: americastestkitchen.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

America's Test Kitchen reviewed over a dozen rimmed baking sheets, also called half-sheet pans, to find the best for baking cakes, cookies, roasting vegetables and proteins, toasting nuts, and broiling. They tested Nordic Ware, Vollrath, Chicago Metallic, Williams Sonoma, and others on even browning, warping at high heat, liquid containment, wire rack fit, and ease of use. The review updated in 2024 highlights affordable aluminum models as top performers. Nordic Ware dominates recommendations across sizes.

Key points

Details and context

Rimmed sheets excel over flat ones by containing spills and fitting racks for cooling or air circulation. Testers favored sheets around 16½ x 11½ inches to match standard oven racks snugly. Warping often happened above 400°F but was minor if temporary; permanent twists ruined even cooking.

Stainless options like Williams Sonoma, Hestan, and All-Clad brown food faster due to lower heat capacity but cost more and weigh 3-4.5 pounds versus 1-2 pounds for aluminum. Larger Nordic Ware Big Sheet or Big Batch suits meal prep or transport.

Past winners like Vollrath still perform well but Nordic Ware edged ahead on price and warp resistance.

Key quotes

None standout; review uses descriptive results like "Everything prepared in this sturdy, warp-resistant sheet cooked appropriately and evenly."[[1]](https://www.americastestkitchen.com/equipment_reviews/1718-rimmed-baking-sheets?queryID=b7e45e491250f2aae694aad6c1bfd681&indexName=everest_search_cortado_production?extcode=NSYTD01YT&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_content=2601-meal-prep&utm_campaign=atk-tv-segments)[[2]](https://www.americastestkitchen.com/equipment_reviews/1718-rimmed-baking-sheets)

Why it matters

Rimmed baking sheets handle everyday roasting, baking, and broiling better than flat pans, saving time on cleanup and failed batches. Home cooks get reliable results with the $15 Nordic Ware winner; pros or acidic recipes benefit from stainless upgrades. Watch for oven fit and pair with accessories as new models emerge.