PanSpanNordic Ware
Nordic Ware Classic Metal 9x13 Covered Cake Pan
Is the Nordic Ware Classic Metal 9x13 Covered Cake Pan the right pan for everyday baking and taking cakes or casseroles to a potluck?
If you want a lightweight 9-by-13 pan for brownies, sheet cakes and family dinners, this Nordic Ware is my pick of these three for straightforward, durable baking. Its natural aluminum heats efficiently, and the reinforced steel rim helps resist warping; it also comes with a cover for carrying and storage. I would hand-wash it and would not choose it on the assumption that its cover clears tall frosting or locks securely for a bumpy drive. Those details matter more than the word “covered” if decorated cakes are your main reason for buying.
From the Amazon listing
- ✓Natural aluminum commercial bakeware is made of pure aluminum which will never rust for a lifetime of durability
- ✓Easy clean up, hand wash only.Nylon, wood, or silicone utensils are recommended
- ✓Pan exterior dimensions 15.63 x 9.63 x 3.25 inches and interior dimensions 13 x 9 x 2.5 inches
- ✓Proudly made in the USA by Nordic Ware
Will the cover protect a tall or freshly frosted cake?
The pan’s interior is 2.5 inches deep, but that does not tell you the clearance above a cake under the cover. If you regularly frost tall sheet cakes, do not risk having the cover touch the icing: use a carrier with known height clearance or add supports that keep the cover off the frosting. For brownies, unfrosted cakes and covered leftovers, the included cover is a useful everyday extra.
Is bare aluminum worth the extra care?
For even baking, yes. Aluminum conducts heat well, which helps cakes and brownies bake more evenly, while the reinforced rim helps the pan resist warping. The tradeoff is care: hand-wash and dry it rather than putting it in the dishwasher. Dishwasher detergent can dull or darken bare aluminum and leave gray residue; that discoloration is a reason to change your cleaning routine, not to scrub aggressively.
Can I take it to a potluck without the cover popping off?
A cover is handy, but I would not treat a covered baking pan as a locking travel carrier for a jolting car ride. Keep it level, secure the cover from the outside with a strap or wrap, and set it on a flat surface in the car. If reliable latching is essential, choose a carrier designed around secure transport rather than assuming a pan cover will stay put.
Will it do double duty for dinner?
Yes: a 9-by-13 pan is a practical size for casseroles, baked pasta and roasted dishes as well as cakes and brownies. The metal pan is lighter to handle than a heavy glass dish, but use oven-safe utensils and avoid metal or abrasive tools that can scratch the surface. For sticky bakes, parchment is a simple way to make release and cleanup easier.
Video review
Nordic Ware Classic Metal 9x13 Covered Cake Pan
Video by Wasai Sareedek · 452 subscribers · 2:12 long · 391 views · published January 2023
How they compare
A lightweight aluminum 9-by-13 workhorse with a cover, an even-baking feel and a reinforced rim.
The covered 9-by-13 pick for bakers who want nonstick release and an oven-safe-to-450°F pan.
Three nonstick 9-by-13 pans for batch baking, separate dishes or a ready spare.
Who it suits
Buy the Nordic Ware if you bake brownies, sheet cakes and family-size casseroles often, want an easy-to-handle aluminum pan with a cover, and are happy to hand-wash your bakeware. It is especially sensible for someone replacing an old pan and wanting one everyday 9-by-13 workhorse rather than a multi-pan bundle.
What you give up
- You give up nonstick release, so parchment or a little greasing can help with sticky bakes, and hand-washing is part of ownership.
- The pan’s 2.5-inch interior depth does not establish how much room the cover leaves above a frosted cake. For tall decorations or a rough car journey, a purpose-built carrier with known clearance and secure closure is the safer choice.
- It is one pan, not a stack of spares for batch baking or cooking several dishes at once.
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 nonstick release is your priority and you want a covered 9-by-13 pan for potlucks. Its stated oven limit is 450°F; hand-wash it to help preserve the coating, and secure the cover for travel rather than assuming it latches.
FISDEN Set of 3 Rectangular Cake Pan, Non-Stick Baking Pan, 9 x 13 Inch Deep Cookie Sheet Tray: Choose the FISDEN set if having three pans matters more than having a cover—for batch baking, cooking separate dishes or keeping a spare ready. Its nonstick coating also suits someone who would rather prioritize easy release than bare-aluminum care.
You will also want
A couple of practical extras make this pan easier to use from oven to table: a rack for cooling and a soft tool for spreading frosting. For a potluck, add serving pieces that suit how you plan to present the bake.
Silicone Oven Mitts, Heat Resistant 2PCS Oven Mitts with Soft Cotton Lining, Waterproof Non-Slip Grip Oven Glove, Kitchen Potholder Mits for BBQ, Baking, Cooking, 12.5 Inch - Grey
These gray silicone oven mitts give you a grippy way to handle the hot pan without adding a mismatched splash of color.
SCDGRW 5PCS Cooling Racks for Cooking and Baking 10" x 16",Heavy Duty Metal Wire Rack,For Grilling, Roasting, Baking, Drying, Fits Jelly Roll Sheet Pan, Oven & Dishwasher Safe
A cooling rack gives brownies and cakes room to cool before you cover them, helping avoid trapped steam and a damp underside.
Anaeat Icing Spatulas, Set of 3 Professional Cake Angled Offset Spatula with 6", 8", 10" Stainless Steel Blades - Thickened Frosting Knife with Plastic Handle for Cake Decorating, Pastry & Baking
The angled spatulas make it easier to spread frosting evenly across a sheet cake without digging into the aluminum pan.
Adorox Elegant Cake Knife and Server Set - Stainless Steel with Crystal Handle - Perfect for Weddings & Anniversaries,and Special Celebrations (Sliver)
A cake knife and server are handy for portioning and serving a sheet cake at a family gathering or potluck.
WELLIFE 240PCS Silver Plastic Dessert Plates - Includes 120PCS Silver Forks, 120PCS 6.3 Inch Salad & Appetizer Plates - Perfect for Wedding & Party
The silver dessert plates and forks make a coordinated disposable serving option for a larger party.
Dessert Forks Set of 12, Berglander Stainless Steel 5.5“ Cake Fork for Cocktail, Dessert, Cake, Tea, Fruit, Cheese, Appetizer Small Forks for Party, Hotel, Restaurant, Cafes Dishwasher Safe
Small dessert forks are a useful match when the pan is headed to a gathering where guests will share brownies or cake.
Questions buyers ask
What is the best 9x13 pan with a tall lid for frosted cakes?
Measure the decorated cake from the pan base to the highest icing, then compare that height with the carrier’s usable interior height. This pan’s 2.5-inch interior depth is not lid clearance, so choose a carrier with enough headroom for your cake.
Is this a good 9 by 13 pan for brownies and sheet cake?
Yes. The aluminum conducts heat well for even baking, and the reinforced rim helps resist warping. Grease the pan or use parchment for easier release, especially with sticky brownies.
Can I put a bare aluminum cake pan in the dishwasher?
No—dishwasher detergent can oxidize bare aluminum, causing darkening or gray residue.
How do I clean oxidized aluminum bakeware?
Wash it by hand with warm water, dish soap and a nonabrasive sponge; avoid metal scourers and harsh dishwasher detergents. If the surface has dulled or darkened, do not attack it with aggressive scrubbing.
Will a nonstick 9x13 pan peel if it goes in the dishwasher?
Repeated dishwasher exposure can be hard on nonstick coatings, and the exact care limits vary by pan. I would hand-wash nonstick bakeware with a soft sponge and avoid metal utensils and abrasive scrubbers to extend the coating’s life.
Will the Nordic Ware cover stay on in the car?
Treat the cover as a cover rather than a latch: check its fit with the pan loaded, and add an external restraint before driving.
Is anodized aluminum bakeware dishwasher safe?
Anodizing changes the surface, but dishwasher care still depends on the particular pan and its instructions. When in doubt, hand-washing is the gentler choice and helps preserve the finish.
What should I use if I need a secure covered pan for a church potluck?
For brownies or a casserole on a steady trip, this pan’s cover can be useful. A tall frosted cake or a rough drive calls for a carrier with measured headroom and a secure closure.
Buying guides with this product
More in Cake Pans
If you need a taller travel cover, a locking carrier, a nonstick surface or several pans at once, browse the other 9-by-13 options in this category and choose around that priority.
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