PanSpanMason Cash Pudding Basin
Which pudding basin should I choose for making a traditional steamed Christmas pudding at home?
For a traditional Christmas pudding, I’d choose the Mason Cash 1.75-litre basin: its shaped rim helps seal it before steaming, and its classic ceramic shape releases the pudding neatly. It’s the best fit for a family-sized pudding and for the heritage look many bakers want. Choose the Muldale if a smaller 1-litre pudding suits your table, or Mrs. Anderson’s lidded metal mold if easy release and a fitted lid matter more than a ceramic basin.
#1 · Mason Cash
Mason Cash Original White Earthenware All-Purpose Pudding Basin, 20 cm
Choose this for a traditional steamed pudding, especially a Christmas pudding you’ll cover before steaming. Its 1.75-litre capacity, shaped rim and classic form make it the strongest match for the Mason Cash basin you came looking for.
#2 · Mrs. Anderson's Baking
Mrs. Anderson's Baking Non-Stick Steamed Pudding Mold with Lid, 1.6-Liters
Choose this 1.6-litre mold if you want a fitted lid and an easier-release nonstick surface rather than a ceramic pudding bowl. The center tube is designed to help heat reach the middle, which is useful for dense steamed puddings.
#3 · Muldale
Muldale Ceramic 1 Liter Pudding Mold - Christmas Pudding Basin for Steaming | Ovenproof Durable White Porcelain - Steamed Bowl - Easy Clean - 6.5"
Choose this 1-litre ceramic basin for a smaller pudding or when you want a serving bowl that can also go in the oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher. Its capacity is noticeably less than the Mason Cash basin, so it’s not my pick for a larger holiday pudding.
Do you want the traditional basin for tying on a pudding cover?
The Mason Cash is the clear choice: its rim is shaped to help seal the pudding before steaming. That’s the detail I’d prioritize for a classic Christmas pudding, where a snug cover helps keep the steaming setup tidy. The metal mold’s fitted lid is convenient, but it gives you a different style of preparation.
How large a pudding are you making?
The Mason Cash holds 1.75 litres, Mrs. Anderson’s holds 1.6 litres, and the Muldale holds 1 litre. For a generous family pudding, I’d take the Mason Cash; for a somewhat smaller batch with a lid, choose Mrs. Anderson’s. Pick the Muldale when a smaller pudding is exactly what you want, not just because the basin looks more compact.
Will the basin fit inside your pot or pressure cooker?
Measure the cooking vessel’s usable interior, then allow room for a trivet, water around the basin and the pot lid to close. The Mason Cash basin is 19.5 cm across and 11 cm high, so check those measurements against your actual pot rather than relying on its stated quart capacity. For pressure cooking, follow the cooker’s instructions for steaming vessels and keep the basin stable on a trivet.
Ceramic or metal—and how do you avoid cracks?
Ceramic gives you the traditional look and a bowl that can double for kitchen prep or serving; Mrs. Anderson’s metal mold has a center tube designed to help heat reach the pudding’s middle. Neither material makes a poor water-bath setup foolproof: keep the basin stable, use the recipe’s steaming method and avoid sudden temperature changes. I’d start with the basin at room temperature and avoid putting a hot ceramic bowl straight onto a cold surface or rinsing it with cold water.
How they compare
Which one is yours
Mason Cash: You want the classic Mason Cash ceramic basin for a traditional, family-sized steamed pudding and a cover tied at the rim.
Mrs. Anderson's Baking: You prefer a fitted lid, nonstick release and a center tube over a traditional ceramic bowl.
Muldale: You want a smaller 1-litre ceramic pudding basin that can also serve for baking and everyday kitchen use.
You will also want
A stable water-bath setup and a safe place to set the hot basin are the useful extras here. If you choose the nonstick mold, use utensils that won’t scratch its coating.
Walfos Silicone Trivet Mats - 4 Heat Resistant Pot Holders, Multipurpose Non-Slip Hot Pads for Kitchen Potholders, Hot Dishers, Jar Opener, Spoon Holder, Food Grade Silicone & BPA Free (Black)
A silicone trivet gives you a heat-safe place to set the hot basin after steaming.
5 PCS Pot Holders for Kitchen, Cotton Potholers with Great Heat Resistance, Hot Pads, Trivets for Cooking and Baking Black
Cotton pot holders make it easier to handle a hot basin or lift a covered mold safely.
Kitchen Utensil Set-Silicone Cooking Utensils-33 Kitchen Gadgets & Spoons for Nonstick Cookware-Silicone and Stainless Steel Spatula Set-Best Kitchen Tools, Useful Pots and Pans Accessories
Use the silicone utensils from this set with Mrs. Anderson’s nonstick mold to avoid scratching its surface.
Questions buyers ask
Can I use the Mason Cash basin in a 6-quart Instant Pot?
Don’t assume it fits from the cooker’s capacity alone. Check that the basin sits securely on a trivet, leaves room for water and still allows the lid to close; the Mason Cash measures 19.5 cm across and 11 cm high.
Is ceramic or plastic better for steaming pudding?
Ceramic is the traditional choice and works well for a water-bath pudding when handled carefully. A purpose-made plastic pudding basin can be more convenient if its instructions allow the steaming method you plan to use; don’t substitute an ordinary plastic bowl.
Does a ceramic pudding basin cook more evenly?
Ceramic holds heat differently from metal, but even cooking depends on the pudding, the steaming method and stable, consistent heat as well as the bowl. For a dense pudding, Mrs. Anderson’s center tube is specifically designed to help heat distribute through the middle.
How do I steam a Christmas pudding in a pressure cooker?
Use the cooker’s approved steaming method, and follow your recipe and cooker instructions for water, timing and pressure; pressure cooking is not automatically interchangeable with a conventional long steam.
Is the Mason Cash basin suitable for steamed sponge pudding?
Yes. The Mason Cash basin is designed for steaming puddings, and its classic shape is also intended to help release the cooked pudding. Grease the basin and follow your recipe’s covering and steaming instructions.
Can a ceramic pudding basin crack during a long steam?
Yes; keep it away from direct flame and set it on a heat-safe surface when hot.