PanSpanNordic Ware
Nordic Ware Prism Baking 9 x 13 Pan, Natural
Is the Nordic Ware Prism 9x13 pan the sturdy, even-baking upgrade I need for brownies, cakes, and casseroles?
If your old pan twists in the oven or its coating is flaking, I’d choose the Nordic Ware Prism for a durable, straightforward upgrade. Its natural aluminum spreads heat well, while the embossed grid is designed to help food release and brown evenly. A reinforced steel rim adds support against warping, and the pan is made in the USA with a lifetime warranty. The catch is that it’s uncoated and hand-wash only, so it suits a cook who values sturdy metal over nonstick convenience.
From the Amazon listing
- ✓Natural aluminum affords the best possible heat dispersion to create perfectly browned baked goods every time and the reinforced encapsulated steel rim prevents warping
- ✓Made in USA
Will this 9x13 pan warp or pop in the oven?
A pan can pop when its metal expands unevenly as it heats, especially if it is thin or unevenly supported. The Nordic Ware’s reinforced encapsulated steel rim is there to resist warping, which makes it a sensible choice for regular baking. No metal pan is immune to every sudden temperature change, so avoid moving it straight from a cold surface into a hot oven or pouring cold liquid into a hot pan.
Will the textured aluminum bake evenly?
The embossed grid is intended to improve airflow and help baked goods crisp and release, while the aluminum helps distribute heat. That makes this a good match for brownies and sheet cakes when browned edges matter. For the most even result, spread batter level, use the center rack, and follow your recipe’s visual cues rather than assuming every oven runs true.
Will food stick to an uncoated pan?
It can: the grid helps with release, but this is not a nonstick-coated surface. I’d grease it well for cakes and casseroles, and use parchment for brownies or bars when you want clean slices and easy lifting. Let baked goods settle before loosening the edges; forcing them out hot is an easy way to break a neat square.
Can I use it for tomato casseroles or lemon bars?
I wouldn’t leave acidic foods sitting against bare aluminum for a long time; they can react with the surface and affect flavor or appearance. For lemon bars, line the pan with parchment. For a tomato casserole that will bake or sit in the pan for a while, I’d reach for glass or an enamel dish instead.
Related videos
Equipment Review: Best 13 x 9 Metal Baking Pans (Cakes, Brownies, Sticky Buns) & Our Testing Winner
Video by America's Test Kitchen · 5:40 long · 473K views · published December 2013
How they compare
Textured natural aluminum and a reinforced rim make this a sturdy, uncoated pick for evenly browned brownies and cakes.
The nonstick 9x13 comes with a lid for carrying cakes and casseroles to gatherings.
An uncoated pebble-patterned aluminum pan for bakers who want a surface that tolerates metal utensils.
Who it suits
Buy this if you’re replacing a thin, troublesome pan and want one sturdy 9x13 for brownies, cakes, and everyday baking. It’s especially suited to someone happy to grease or line an uncoated pan and wash it by hand.
What you give up
- You give up the easy cleanup of a coated pan and the convenience of a carrying lid; this is a one-pan baking set, not a covered travel dish.
- Hand washing is part of owning it. If you want a nonstick coating, choose the Farberware instead.
When another one is the better buy
Farberware Nonstick Bakeware Baking Pan With Lid / Nonstick Cake Pan With Lid, Rectangle - 9 Inch x 13 Inch, Gray: Choose the Farberware if you want a nonstick interior and a lid for carrying cakes or sides to a potluck. Its lid is for transport and storage, not oven use.
Doughmakers 9" x 13" Cake Commercial Grade Aluminum Bake Pan: Choose the Doughmakers if you want an uncoated patterned aluminum pan and value its stated ability to handle metal utensils. It’s a strong alternative for brownies and cakes when utensil-scratch tolerance matters.
You will also want
Since this pan is hand-wash only and doesn’t have a lid, a few practical baking helpers make the routine easier—from lifting hot food safely to getting bars out cleanly.
KITCHENAID Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt 2-Pack Set, Matte Black, 7.5"x13"
These long silicone oven mitts give you a secure way to lift a hot 9x13 pan from the oven.
Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Baking Sheets, 25 Sheets (Pack of 4), 100 Total | Pre-cut parchment cookie baking sheets, Non-stick, Smart-grid lines for even spacing of cookies, Use up to 3 times
Parchment sheets make brownie and bar release easier and help keep acidic fillings off the bare aluminum.
2 PCS Cooling Racks for Cooking and Baking, 15x10 Inches Stainless Steel Cooling Rack, Sheet Pan with Wire Rack for Baking Sheet, Bacon Rack Oven Safe Fits Jelly Roll Sheet Pan
A cooling rack gives brownies and cakes room to cool after baking instead of trapping heat underneath.
Premium Dish Towels for Kitchen, 8 Pack, 16x26 - Thick 410 GSM, Multicolor | 100% Cotton Kitchen Towels with Hanging Loop, Large, Durable and Ultra Absorbent Terry Cloth Kitchen Hand Towels
These cotton towels are handy for drying the pan promptly after its required hand wash.
Scrub Daddy Colors Kitchen Sponges - Scratch-Free Dishwashing Sponges & Sponge for Kitchen Sink, Bathroom & Household Cleaning - BPA-Free Polymer Foam (3 Count)
A scratch-free sponge is a useful choice for washing the pan without reaching for an abrasive scrubber.
Questions buyers ask
Why do baking pans pop in the oven?
Metal expands as it heats, and uneven expansion can suddenly release tension with a pop or a change in shape. A reinforced rim helps resist warping, but gradual temperature changes and a stable oven rack are still good habits.
Is a textured aluminum pan good for brownies?
Yes, it’s a sensible brownie pan if you want an uncoated surface that browns well. Grease it or line it with parchment, then let the brownies cool enough to set before lifting or cutting them.
Can I put this pan in the dishwasher?
No—hand wash it. That’s the care routine for this pan, and it helps preserve the natural aluminum finish.
Does the Nordic Ware pan come with a lid?
No, it’s a pan-only set. For carrying baked goods, cover the pan with foil or choose the Farberware, which comes with a separate lid that should not go in the oven.
Will a universal snap-on lid fit a 9x13 metal pan?
Don’t assume so: rims and outside dimensions vary, even when pans share a 9x13 baking surface. Check that a lid is made for your exact pan or measure the outside rim before relying on it for transport.
Is this a commercial-grade, thick-gauge pan?
For home baking, I’d focus on what it does: natural aluminum for heat dispersion, an embossed grid, and a reinforced steel rim. If you specifically need a stated metal gauge for a commercial kitchen, choose a pan whose specifications give that figure.
Can I bake lemon bars or tomato dishes in bare aluminum?
For lemon bars, line the pan with parchment to separate the acidic filling from the aluminum. For tomato dishes or other acidic foods that will bake or sit in the pan for a while, use glass or enamel instead.
More in Bakeware
If you want a coated pan, a lid, or a different kind of bakeware altogether, browse the other 9x13 options here and match the pan to how you bake and serve.
