I absolutely love cooking the Christmas roast. Whether I’m cheffing with my partner or my brother, we’ve got our favourite recipes, we time things with military precision and yes, we do all the trimmings. Not everyone feels the same, I’m sure, but I think there’s one thing we can all agree on: the clean-down is diabolical.
The roast, by nature, results in stacks and stacks of burnt, crusted baking trays, the washing-up equivalent of 40 lashes. Nothing dampens the Christmas spirit quite like trying to use a sponge to chip away at the carbonised remains of a honey-glazed carrot.
This year, I’ve decided enough is enough. I don't want my food to scorch and fuse onto low-quality baking trays, but neither do I want dodgy non-stick coatings that quickly degrade and flake. So, I’ve decided to upgrade my roasting kit with the Hexclad baking trays. Reader, they are worth every penny.
The Hexclad 6-Piece Hybrid Bakeware Set in a nutshell
Pros
- Excellent non-stick performance
- Large handles let you get a good grip
- Thick material doesn’t warp
- Tri-ply material for fast, even heating
- Dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 480°C
- Ceramic non-stick is PFAS-free
- Built to last with a lifetime warranty
- 30-day return guarantee
Cons
- Currently only available as a six-piece set
Key specs
| Sizes in set | 23 x 33cm Rectangular Cake Pan, Two 23cm Round Cake Pans, 20 x 20cm Square Cake Pan, 25 x 38cm Medium Baking Sheet, 24 x 37cm Stainless-Steel Cooling Rack |
|---|---|
| Material | Tri-ply stainless steel with aluminium core, ceramic non-stick coating with stainless-steel hexagonal texture |
| Maximum temperature | 480°C |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Metal utensils safe | No |
| Guarantee | Lifetime warranty |
If you peeked at that link above, you’ll see that yes, these are a splurge. But stay with me. This set includes six pieces of bakeware (including a cooling rack), with each one packing in all the smart tech you’d expect from a high-quality frying pan. They are thick, with an aluminium core that spreads heat rapidly and evenly, sandwiched between layers of stainless steel.
As for that futuristic-looking beehive pattern, that’s what Hexclad (of frying-pan fame) is known for. It’s a TerraBond™ non-stick coating that combines stainless-steel peaks with ceramic non-stick valleys for increased durability. That non-stick is PFAS-free, and it’s specifically designed to release your baked goods, making cleaning fast and easy. Yes, please.
My review of the Hexclad Hybrid Bakeware: is it worth it?
First impressions
When I first unboxed this gleaming bakeware set, my first thought was, ‘These are some serious baking trays’. They’re shiny, heavy and unlike any bakeware I’ve ever seen. They’re reminiscent of a fancy saucepan, with the stylish contrast of ceramic non-stick against the stainless-steel exterior.
Each piece is a good size, and I could see myself using them all regularly. Currently, the bakeware can only be bought as a set (not in individual units), but the range of useful shapes and sizes meant I was happy to commit to the whole shebang.
I would just note that the largest baking sheet (the one that comes with a handy cooling rack) is 38cm wide, which is a bit of a squeeze in my oven – so just measure yours before you buy.
Seasoning
Before you use your Hybrid bakeware, there’s one quick step: seasoning. After giving the pans a wash and dry, rub a little cooking oil around the inside surface. Then, bake the empty pans at 200ºC in a pre-heated oven for three minutes. This activates the non-stick surface and ensures it performs properly from the first use.
It only took me about 15 minutes to season all the pans at once. From now on, the seasoning should maintain itself with the fats and oils I use in everyday cooking.
Non-stick properties
The first time I used these pans, I decided to challenge the non-stick by making a brownie cake in one of the round tins. I didn't line it with baking parchment, just greased it with a little butter. I’m always unsure about cake tins with no removable collar or base, so I was keen to know whether a cake really could just plop straight out.
Once baked, I let the sponge cool, before running a knife around the edge and turning it out. To my surprise, it released beautifully, with just a little residue left on the cake tin. The instructions actually advise using baking parchment for the best results, so I was pleased that it exceeded expectations.
Cleaning
This was the real test – and the whole reason I wanted to try this bakeware. To see how easy it was to clean burnt-on residue from the pans, I cooked a few chicken breasts coated in a sticky, spiced marinade that I knew would be prone to crusting onto the cooking surface.
I could see the sauce beading up instead of spreading out, a sign that the ceramic non-stick was repelling it effectively. Washing up was effortless – so much faster than a regular baking tray – with most residue wiping away instantly under running water and the crustiest bits only requiring a little more attention.
Since then, I’ve used these baking trays to grill bacon rashers, crisp up baked pasta and roast a whole chicken. Not only is the food always evenly cooked to perfection, clean-up is at least twice as fast as with a normal pan, which would certainly need an overnight soak for these foods.
Durability
I haven’t had this bakeware long enough to report on the long-term durability – but it's incredibly solid. That thick tri-ply construction looks immune to buckling and warping, and I haven’t noticed any change in the non-stick performance after several weeks of use.
You’re not supposed to use sharp metal utensils in the pans (silicone, wood or plastic is recommended), but I admit that I have scraped them out with metal spoons a few times and seen no damage.
Time will tell, but I’m impressed – and if anything does go wrong, there’s a lifetime warranty to fall back on. The set also has a 30-day return policy, so you can get your money back even on used pans if you don’t get on with them.
Final verdict
Having used this bakeware for nearly a month, I’m already feeling much less daunted by the idea of the Christmas dinner clean-down. Yes, this set is undoubtedly expensive and I know not everyone will want to drop so much money on cookware. But at about £60 per piece (not counting the cooling rack), I actually don’t think it’s bad value – especially when you consider that Hexclad frying pans (which also have a hybrid coating and tri-ply base) cost £149 and more.
Yes, you could keep buying super-cheap baking trays, but I’m at a point in my life where I would pay not to spend Christmas Day (or any day) scrubbing burnt crust off a rubbish pan that flakes into my food. This is a festive upgrade I think is worth splashing out on – and one you’ll thank yourself for year-round. Bring on Christmas.
While these are top-tier baking trays, we do appreciate they're a real investment, so we've included alternative picks that performed well in our GHI testing below.
GHI Approved baking trays
Score: 91/100
Our testers were impressed by this oven tray's consistent, even heating and easy-release surface. It's not dishwasher-safe and you should avoid using metal utensils, but it has a lifetime guarantee.
Score: 87/100
This lightweight tray has a wide lip that makes is easier to pick up and carry with oven gloves. The non-stick is excellent – just note that it can only withstand heat of up to 220°C. A great budget buy though.
Score: 85/100
Another great value oven tray. It's not quite as durable as others, but it bakes evenly, is dishwasher-safe and the non-stick coating even managed to release a baked-on egg.
Love Good Housekeeping? Click the 'Add to Preferred Sources' button at the top of this article to see us more often in your Google searches.
Jasmine is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. With a background in design, she is committed to sorting the good products from the great –and helping Good Housekeeping readers do the same.
Throughout her career, Jasmine has written extensively about product quality, craftsmanship and sustainability, and is passionate about consumer rights. She previously worked as a writer and researcher at the product longevity platform Buy Me Once.
If she isn’t reviewing the latest gadgets for your home, you can probably find Jasmine cooking elaborate meals or crafting something weird and wonderful!
