PanSpanChicago Metallic Popover Pan
Which Chicago Metallic popover pan should I choose for tall, airy popovers that release cleanly?
I’d choose the Chicago Metallic six-cup pan for classic popovers and Yorkshire puddings: its deep tapered cups encourage airflow, its nonstick surface helps delicate crusts release, and it’s oven-safe up to 450°F. If you want oversized popovers, take the Nordic Ware Grand; for two pans and twelve cups at once, choose Shellwei. The other options each trade a particular design feature for a different kind of baking flexibility.
#1 · Chicago Metallic
Chicago Metallic 6 Cup Popover Pan | Nonstick Heavy-Duty Carbon Steel Bakeware for Airy Popovers and Muffins, Separated Wells for Even Airflow and Baking
Buy this for the most straightforward match: six deep, separated cups for popovers, Yorkshire puddings or muffins. The 450°F oven limit and 25-year warranty add useful reassurance, while careful hand washing helps preserve the nonstick coating.
#2 · Nordic Ware
Nordic Ware Grand Popover Pan
Choose the Nordic Ware Grand if generous, oversized popovers are the point. Its heavy cast aluminum construction is designed for even heating, and the nonstick coating helps with release; plan to hand wash it.
#3 · Epica
Epica Bellemain Popover Pan, Nonstick Baking Pan for Perfect Popovers | high quality, easy to clean
This Epica pan suits someone who wants tall popovers from vertical cups without stepping up to an oversized pan. Its six cups are 2.25 inches deep and 3 inches across, with a nonstick surface for easier release.
#4 · Shellwei
Shellwei 2 Pcs 12 Cups Nonstick Popover Pan Muffin Cupcake Pudding Bakeware | Yorkshire Pudding Pan Steel Nonstick Baking Pan for Popover, Oven Baking, Frittata, Muffin, Quiches, Pudding Cake
Pick Shellwei when you regularly bake for a crowd or want two six-cup pans for a single batch. It gives you twelve cups total, though it’s the bulk-buy choice rather than the most focused pick for occasional popovers.
#5 · Fox Run
Fox Run Popover, Yorkshire Pudding and Cupcake Pan, 6 Cup, Stainless Steel | Bake Popovers & Yorkshire Pudding | Durable Stainless Steel | Consistent Results | 6 Cup Pop Over Baking Pan | Baking Gadget
Choose Fox Run if you specifically want stainless steel and a wire-rack design. It has six individual cups and is also positioned for Yorkshire puddings, muffins and cupcakes.
Do I need a dedicated pan instead of a muffin tin?
For the tall, hollow rise you’re after, I’d choose the Chicago Metallic over a standard muffin tin. Its deep, separated cups are made for popovers and promote air circulation around each one. The Epica is another focused six-cup option, while Nordic Ware is the choice when you want larger-than-usual bakes.
Should I prioritize easy release or a different pan material?
For delicate popovers, I’d stay with a nonstick option: Chicago Metallic, Nordic Ware, Epica or Shellwei. Use nonmetal utensils and skip abrasive scrubbers, since scratches and harsh scouring can damage nonstick coatings. Fox Run is the stainless-steel alternative, with a wire rack and steep wells; choose it if that design and material matter more to you than a nonstick surface. If high-heat baking is your priority, cast iron is generally a better fit than nonstick; for Chicago Metallic, stay within its 450°F limit.
Will I bake one batch or several at once?
For one classic six-popover batch, the Chicago Metallic is my pick. If you want larger popovers, take Nordic Ware Grand; if you need twelve cups in one bake, Shellwei includes two six-cup pans. Think about where you’ll store a second pan, too—extra capacity is only useful if it earns its cabinet space.
How should I handle preheating and high oven temperatures?
The Chicago Metallic is oven-safe up to 450°F, but that’s a ceiling, not a reason to heat it empty to the limit. Follow your recipe’s preheating instructions, add batter promptly if it calls for a preheated pan, and don’t exceed the pan’s temperature limit. For the other picks, follow the care and temperature instructions that come with the pan rather than assuming they share the same rating.
How they compare
Which one is yours
Chicago Metallic: You want the best all-around dedicated pan for six classic popovers or Yorkshire puddings, with deep separated cups and a stated 450°F oven limit.
Nordic Ware: You want oversized popovers and prefer heavy cast aluminum with a nonstick coating.
Epica: You want six tall popovers from vertical cups that are 2.25 inches deep.
Shellwei: You bake for a crowd and want two pans, giving you twelve cups total.
Fox Run: You prefer stainless steel and want a pan built around a wire-rack design.
You will also want
The useful extras here are simple: protect your hands when moving a hot pan, and protect the nonstick surface during cooking, cleaning and storage.
Joyhalo 4 Pack Heat Resistant Pot Holders - Terry Cloth Sets for Cooking & Baking
Pot holders give you a secure way to lift a hot popover pan from the oven.
KitchenAid Albany Kitchen Towel 4-Pack Set, Milkshake Tan/White, 16"x26"
Keep a kitchen towel nearby to dry the pan after hand washing and to handle small spills while baking.
Silicone Cooking Utensils Set - 600°F Heat Resistant, Nonstick Kitchen Utensil Set with Spatulas, Spoons, Whisk, Tongs, BPA Free, Dishwasher Safe, Black
Silicone utensils help you loosen or serve popovers without scraping a nonstick coating with metal.
6 Pack Silicone Trivet Mat, Silicone Trivets for Hot Pots and Pans, Multipurpose Non-Slip & Heat Resistant Silicone Hot Pad for Kitchen Counter
A silicone trivet gives the hot pan a protected place to rest on the counter.
Handy Housewares Durable Non-Scratch Nylon Scouring Pads | Round All-Surface Cleaning Pads | Multi-Use Kitchen Scrubbers | Safe for Non-Stick Cookware | 8-Pack Random Colors
Non-scratch scrub pads help clean baked-on residue without the harsher abrasion of metal scrubbers.
All-Clad Professional Silicone Pot/Pan Protector Set, Black/Gray, 3pc
Pan protectors help prevent scratches if you stack the popover pan with other bakeware.
Questions buyers ask
What is the Chicago Metallic popover pan’s maximum oven temperature?
The Chicago Metallic pan is oven-safe up to 450°F.
Can I preheat the Chicago Metallic pan empty at 450°F?
Only if your recipe specifically calls for it; 450°F is the pan’s ceiling, not a default empty-preheat setting. Follow the recipe and add batter promptly.
What should I do if the nonstick coating starts peeling?
Avoid metal utensils and abrasive scrubbers from the start, and hand wash the Chicago Metallic pan to help protect its coating. If the coating visibly flakes or peels, stop using the pan rather than trying to scrub or scrape it back to normal.
Is it safe to preheat a dry nonstick baking pan?
A dry nonstick pan isn’t inherently unsafe in an oven, but prolonged empty heating is best avoided because it can stress the coating. For Chicago Metallic, stay within its 450°F limit.
How does a wire-rack popover pan compare with separated metal cups?
The Fox Run uses a wire-rack design, while Chicago Metallic has separated, deep tapered wells. Both approaches leave space around individual portions, but the joint method itself doesn’t determine airflow: welded cups can allow circulation if they’re spaced apart. The Chicago Metallic is the more direct choice if you want a nonstick pan with a stated oven-temperature limit.
Will a wire-rack popover pan warp?
Handle any baking pan by its frame or rim, support it evenly, and avoid sudden temperature changes. Don’t assume a wire-rack construction is immune to warping; follow its care instructions and avoid rough handling.
Why is my popover pan smoking in the oven?
Smoke can come from baked-on grease or residue, or from heating a pan beyond its recommended temperature. Take the pan out carefully, ventilate the kitchen, and check for residue and temperature issues before baking again; stop using it if the coating is flaking.
Which popover pan design is best for an even rise?
Deep cups with space around them help heat and air reach each popover, which is why I’d start with the Chicago Metallic’s deep, separated wells. Choose Nordic Ware instead when you specifically want oversized popovers, or Fox Run if its wire-rack construction is your preference.