PanSpanWilton Tart Pan
Which Wilton tart pan should I choose for polished tarts or quiche that release cleanly?
I’d choose the Wilton Excelle Elite for most home bakers: it’s a 9-inch steel tart and quiche pan with a nonstick surface and removable bottom, the combination that makes a neat presentation easier. The RICHSC-PAN is the one to consider if you want a slightly deeper pan and a dark nonstick finish; choose Fox Run if you prefer stainless steel over a nonstick coating. Whichever you take, a removable base helps with serving but doesn’t make the pan leakproof, so bake it on a rimmed sheet when the filling or crust could drip.
#1 · Wilton
Wilton Excelle Elite Non-Stick - Non-Stick Tart and Quiche Pan with Removable Bottom, 9-Inch, Steel
This is the pick for most readers who came for a Wilton tart pan: its 9-inch steel pan, nonstick coating and removable bottom suit fruit tarts and quiche, while the 10-year warranty is a useful extra.
#2 · RICHSC-PAN
RICHSC-PAN Tart Pan, 9 Inch Tart Pans, Non-Stick Removable Loose Bottom. | Carbon Steel 9In Tart Pan, The 9.5 Inches at the Top and 9 Inches at the Bottom, With a Depth of 1.1 Inches.
Choose this if you want a dark nonstick pan with fluted sides and a little more depth than the Wilton. It’s a practical alternative for heavier quiche fillings or a substantial fruit tart.
#3 · Fox Run
Fox Run Stainless Steel Tart Pan With Removable Bottom 9" Quiche Baking Pan | Removable Bottom For Stress Free Serving | Durable & Dishwasher Safe Stainless Steel | Ideal Size 9 Inch Tart & Quiche Pan
Choose Fox Run if you want a stainless-steel pan and would rather avoid a nonstick coating. Its removable bottom and classic 9-inch size still make it suitable for tarts and quiche.
Is a nonstick coating worth choosing for easier release?
For a first removable-bottom tart pan, I’d take the Wilton: the nonstick surface makes release and cleanup less fiddly, especially around the fluted sides. RICHSC-PAN also has a nonstick coating and fluted sides, with a dark finish and a slightly deeper profile. Fox Run is the straightforward choice if you prefer stainless steel and are comfortable taking extra care when releasing delicate pastry.
Will the bottom pop out without tearing the pastry?
The removable base helps, but the pastry still needs to be properly set and cool enough to handle. Chill the lined shell before baking, and after baking let it cool before lifting the outer ring; don’t push the base up while the crust is hot and fragile. For the gentlest transfer, support the tart and slide it off the base with a thin spatula. The Wilton is my pick for an easy-release start; use a light coating of butter in the flutes if your dough is especially delicate.
Which pan gives a crisper, more browned crust?
Dark nonstick metal tends to brown pastry more quickly than a lighter-looking pan, so keep an eye on the RICHSC-PAN toward the end of baking. For a blind bake, line the chilled pastry with parchment and baking weights, then remove them for the final part of baking so the base can dry and color. The Wilton’s silver finish is a sensible all-rounder if you don’t want to push browning as quickly.
Could butter or filling leak through the removable bottom?
Yes: a removable base has a seam, so it is not a sealed pie dish. Put the tart pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch butter or filling before it reaches the oven floor. For a very loose filling, set the shell on the sheet first and pour the filling in once the pan is in place.
How they compare
Which one is yours
Wilton: Take this for the Wilton name, an easy-release nonstick surface and a versatile 9-inch size for fruit tarts or quiche.
RICHSC-PAN: Take this when you prefer a dark nonstick pan with fluted sides and want the slightly deeper option.
Fox Run: Take this when stainless steel matters more to you than a nonstick coating, while keeping the removable-bottom format.
You will also want
A removable-bottom pan is easier to use when you can handle it safely after baking and clean it without scratching a nonstick surface. These are the useful add-ons I’d keep nearby.
Joyhalo 4 Pack Heat Resistant Pot Holders - Terry Cloth Sets for Cooking & Baking
Use these pot holders to move a hot tart pan or baking sheet safely from oven to cooling area.
Kodreat 4 Pack Silicone Trivets for Hot Dishes | Heat-Resistant Non-Slip Hot Pads for Kitchen Countertops and Tables, Food-Grade Thick Silicone Mats (7.1x7.1in)
Set the hot pan on a silicone trivet while it cools to protect the counter or table.
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
These non-scratch pads are a sensible choice for cleaning nonstick pans without using an abrasive scrubber.
Zeppoli Classic Dish Towels - 15 Pack - 14" by 25" - 100% Cotton Kitchen Towels - Reusable Bulk Cleaning Cloths - Blue Hand Towels - Super Absorbent - Machine Washable
Keep a cotton towel handy for drying the pan thoroughly around the rim and removable-base seam after washing.
Questions buyers ask
Do you grease a nonstick tart pan’s ridges?
A light, even coating of butter in the flutes is good insurance for fragile pastry, even with a nonstick pan. Avoid leaving pools of grease in the grooves, which can fry the edges unevenly.
How do you stop pastry sticking in fluted sides?
Press the dough gently into the flutes rather than stretching it, then chill the lined pan before baking. Once baked, let the crust cool before removing the ring; a thin spatula can help release any stubborn spot without scraping the coating.
How do you blind bake a tart shell without a soggy bottom?
Chill the pastry-lined pan, prick the base if your recipe calls for it, and line it with parchment and baking weights. Remove the weights near the end so the base can finish drying and browning, and use a rimmed sheet underneath to catch drips.
Is a dark nonstick pan better than tinned steel?
Dark nonstick metal generally browns pastry faster, while tinned steel is a different surface that usually calls for careful drying after washing to prevent rust. None of these three picks is tinned steel: the RICHSC-PAN is dark and nonstick, the Wilton is silver-colored and nonstick, and Fox Run is stainless steel.
How do you care for a tinned-steel tart pan?
Wash it promptly by hand and dry it thoroughly; don’t leave it to soak. That care advice applies to tinned steel rather than to the pans here.
How does a Gobel tinned-steel tart pan compare with these nonstick options?
Gobel is the one to look at if you specifically want tinned steel; none of these three picks is tinned steel. Among these picks, choose Wilton or RICHSC-PAN for nonstick release, or Fox Run if you want stainless steel.
How do you wash a nonstick tart pan without wearing the coating?
Let it cool, then wash gently with a soft sponge or non-scratch pad and dry the rim and seam well. Skip abrasive scrubbers and metal utensils, which can scratch nonstick surfaces; handwashing is the gentler routine even when a pan is dishwasher-safe.