Which oven tray should you choose?

As you probably know, having the right utensil or container is essential for cooking. Among these tools, one accessory stands out as indispensable: the oven tray. And we’re not talking about your induction or gas hob here, but about the trays you place on your oven rack to prepare desserts or savoury bites for your next dinner party. So, how do you choose the right baking tray? Here’s everything you need to know!

How to choose a oven tray according to your needs

A good oven tray improves the cooking of your dishes. By distributing heat evenly and ensuring perfect baking results, it can be rectangular, square, or even round. Whether you’re a fan of pizza or biscuits, there’s always a tray to suit your needs.

Your pizza or pastry tray must be food-safe. Avoid unknown brands or those that don’t clearly state the material used. Most trays come in a large rectangular shape and can be made of glass, stainless steel, aluminium, or coated aluminium. Some are also available in silicone, but always check they can withstand your oven’s heat (at least 250 °C).

To make the right choice, remember to:

• Check the tray’s dimensions against your oven size
  

• Choose a safe and compatible material such as coated aluminium, stainless steel, or glass
  

• Decide between a solid or perforated tray
  

• Always opt for branded trays made from quality, food-safe materials
  

• Prefer a tray with handles or raised edges for safe handling out of the oven
  

• Go for a non-stick coating to prevent food from sticking

Focus on glass oven trays

At Pyrex®, you’re in the right place! As specialists in heat-resistant glass oven tray, we know that a glass baking tray is one of the best options for even cooking, thanks to glass’s excellent ability to distribute heat perfectly across the entire surface.

The advantages of a glass baking tray

An essential in today’s kitchens, glass is above all a safe material. Easy to clean, a glass baking tray combines versatility with durability, whether you’re an amateur cook or a professional. Whether you use it as a pastry tray for fruit tarts, cookies, or meringues, it’s also ideal for keeping your oven rack or base clean.

Glass has excellent heat conduction, spreading it evenly across the tray to bake pastry bases, cookies, vegetables, and more. Pyrex® uses borosilicate glass, highly resistant to thermal shock, meaning you can move it directly from fridge to oven without the risk of breaking — up to 220 °C.

And because of its transparent design, a glass baking tray can also be brought straight to the table — perfect as a breakfast or snack tray, or to present appetisers.

Limitations to consider with glass trays

Always choose a baking tray thick enough to withstand high temperatures — Pyrex® borosilicate glass offers just that, giving superior resistance to shocks.

For best use, clean the tray immediately after cooking to remove any food residue while it’s still easy to wash off. Simply soak it with a little washing-up liquid.

Pizza tray: the best friend of homemade pizza lovers

For baking your homemade pizzas, nothing beats a good pizza tray — ideally a perforated one, which allows air to circulate and ensures an evenly baked, crispy pizza base. Pyrex® offers three pizza tray models, depending on your cooking habits:

• A round perforated pizza tray, 32 cm in diameter, with a handle — also perfect for baking thin tarts
  

• A rectangular pizza tray — ideal for pizzas to slice and share at dinner parties, or for larger families
  

• A mini pizza tray — for baking up to 9 mini pizzas, mini quiches, or tartlets

Advantages of a perforated metal pizza tray

Whether round, rectangular, or designed for mini pizzas and quiches, the perforated and textured base guarantees an evenly cooked, crispy crust. The coating also provides excellent resistance to high heat, making it perfect for fast cooking, especially if you’re using an outdoor pizza oven.

Cleaning is simple: it can be washed by hand or placed in the dishwasher after removing any leftover dough. And thanks to its metal construction, the risk of breakage is minimal.

Limitations of a perforated metal pizza tray

The perforations can limit its use with more liquid-based recipes, such as quiches. In that case, it’s better to choose a round tart dish with higher edges.

The pizza dough also needs to be thick enough to hold the toppings without spilling. Always spread your dough evenly across the tray to avoid any leaks from the filling.

Baking tray: ideal for perfect desserts

As its name suggests, a baking tray is perfect for preparing biscuits, cookies, meringues, and more. Pyrex® offers rectangular glass trays in sizes 32 × 26 cm, 24 × 19 cm, and even sets of three smaller trays for individual tarts or brownie portions.

Advantages

• Even baking thanks to excellent heat distribution

• Easy to clean, whether by hand or in the dishwasher

• Durable and hygienic

• Versatile for all kinds of pastry use

Limitations

• Metal trays can sometimes overheat

• Flat aluminium trays may warp

• Glass trays risk breaking if dropped

The best materials for pizza and baking trays

Pizza trays

A metal tray, specifically designed for pizza, is the best option. Usually fitted with a small rim of a few centimetres, it helps keep your pizza in place. Look for a tray with handles for easier removal from the oven, and always opt for a perforated model to ensure a perfectly crispy base.

Baking trays

A glass tray with a slight rim is ideal for baking pastries and biscuits. It distributes heat evenly for perfect results and can even be brought straight to the table for serving.

How to choose the size of your baking tray

This depends on the internal dimensions of your oven rack. You can also find round baking trays specially designed for tarts. Rectangular trays are better for larger batches. The most common sizes are 30 × 40 cm or 28 cm in diameter.

How much should you budget for a baking tray?

It all depends on the material. Metal trays are the most affordable, followed closely by glass trays, which are often sold in sets. Expect to pay around €10 for a good-quality Pyrex® baking tray.

Want to change the way you cook? Discover baking trays — easy to clean and suitable for almost every type of recipe.