I'd like to buy a collection of good pans. Right now I have a few wiltons and some other misc. stuff but I'd really like to start making a variety of cakes, in all sizes and shapes. What type/size of pans should I buy? I have a couple hundred buckaroos saved up for this so if I need to, I can use all that. Hopefully its enough to start a nice collection. Thanks everyone!!
Amie
A 12x18, an 11x15 and a set of rounds, definitely. I do a lot of square wedding cakes and brides are leaning toward the square-bottom-tier and round upper tiers design lately, so next on your list would be square pans.
Magic Line is my preference also.
I was told by some posters here on CC that if you're trying to decide between 2" and 3" (like I was), then get 3". You can always make a 2" in a 3" pan, but not the other way around! HTH...
Hobby lobby just put out there 40% off wilton products coupon for this week...so hopefully you have one of those by you!! I can email you the coupon if you need one....
Hi Amie! You spell your name the same way that I do! RARE! Anyway, I too am just starting out and have bought the round 3 inch pans and the 2 inch 11x15. I am going to Hobby Lobby tomorrow to stock up on more but have decided to go with the 3 inch pans only from now on.
Hi Amie! You spell your name the same way that I do! RARE! Anyway, I too am just starting out and have bought the round 3 inch pans and the 2 inch 11x15. I am going to Hobby Lobby tomorrow to stock up on more but have decided to go with the 3 inch pans only from now on.
I get a lot of mileage out of my 8-inch squares. I like taking them to work because IMHO squares are easier to serve than rounds. And, I can cover an entire side with an edible image, which I love to do. With a round, I can't do that. Go for Magic Line whenever you can. They're wonderful!
Rounds and Squares in a few sizes are worth having in my opinion. I also have ovals and hexagons (Wilton Pan Sets) and use them when I want to do something different.
On my basic shapes like the Rounds, Squares and Hearts I have two of each pan. I hate baking one layer, having to wash the pan and bake a seond, so I have two sets of each and can back both layers at the same time. Or for the larger sizes I can have the pan ready to go in the oven when the first comes out.
I agree that the 13x9 is a good one to have. I also hav ethe 12x18 and the 11x15. I haven't used the 11x15 yet, but bought it on sell.
I bought all of my pan sets (except the oval and hexagon) at Michaels using 40% off coupons. Then I went back and bought the pans that didn't come in the pan sets.
Also some of the shaped pans are nice to have as well. I have used the wonder mold a several times and the 3rd ball pan along with the mini wondermold and the mini ball pan.
Just wondering what makes Magic Line pans so great? I'm deciding what to buy and wanted to know why they are so great.
Magic Line pans are much stronger, heavier and have straight sides. They are lifetime pans. If you have a chance to see them side by side it is very easy to see and feel the difference. You can not beat the straight sides. Also invest in the Magic strips to put around your pans. It helps keep the cake from crowning in the middle.
Magic Line definitely is first if you can afford them, but the Wilton Decorator Preferred is a very close second. They both have lifetime guarantees. 
There are some pans you just can't get the lifetime guarantees with, so I also have several of the Wilton Performance pans, and they do very well too. 
BTW, as several have already mentioned, you can get 40% and sometimes even 50% off coupons for the Wilton pans at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and JoAnn's Fabrics!!! 
HTH & Good Luck in your choices!
LadyMike
I am slowly starting to build my pan stash. I have ordered my first Magic Line pans after hearing such wonderful reviews on this site about them.
Andrea
I've only had wilton pans until recently but after joining this site I bought some magic line pans. When I use them at the same time the cake in the wilton pan does not cook as flat on top and the sides get darker and over cooked easier, especially on the larger 12 or 14+ inch pans. The magic line pans are also much better quality I was so surprised when I saw one finally. heavy thic metal and straight, straight sides!! I will never buy the wilton pans again!!
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