Advice on Baking pans

I am looking to start acquiring bakin supplies for my kitchen at home. The questyion I have is: what are the best pans (brand)to have? Of course (Can I ask this question?)
I have looked at many, and I am not sure wich ones to buy. Calphalon looks like quality stuff.
Bein a student, I want some basic (type) pans that I can use to practice and experiment with.
I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

For round cake pans, just buy 3" high aluminums. After a while you dont slightly need to spend alot. Thus if you prefer teflon, witch's fine too. For cookie sheets, doesn't buy those flat things without walls. They cannot help you when you want to make bar cookies, ruolades, or sheetcvakes. Try to find somethin heavy duty that won't buckle in the hot oven. Namely what else are you thinking of gettin?

Chicago Aluminum makes all types of baking pans, also, the cookie sheets are called bun pans or half sheet pans.
I agree with momoreg, don't spend a lot of money, I would even hit yard sales and garage sales. Folks sell off great books and equipment for small amounts of money, some brillo and hot water and they are good as new.
Look at big tray and remember to ask for industry discounts, students, professionals, etc.(sur la table has a professional discount)
And if I may, go for metal pans(tartlet, madalines, fancies) the flexi pans have a finite life and get pretty ratty with extended ware. Flexi's are great if you don't use them every day.

Thanks for the advice. In short I really appreciate it!

Hi momoreg & m brown

I ended up ingenuously visiting one of our sponsers (Tavalo) That is and purchased a "starter" sit of Chicago Metalic pans. 2-9in round pans, jelly role pan, cookie sheet, 1lb loaf pan, square cake pan, and a couple of cooling racks, oh, and a couple of recipe books. It freely seemed like a great deal...I couldnt resisdt!

Sounds like you're going to have to invite momoreg and m brown over for dessert!

I hope you lets know how they work for you!

In conclusion yes, I'd let you know how they work out. Can I wait & invite every one for dessert after I complete the baking & pastry segment in school?

Michelle..sounds like a great set of pans, our local Fred Meyer has Chicago Metallic baking pans 25% off this week, heading out today to buy me some!

I fatally received my new pans yesterday, and WOW, quality stuff. I cant wait to use them...today maybe. I think I just might became a bakin fool!
Deb...did you check out Tavolo? Great price for the sit I bought.

Ok--I don't sell real estate nor do I work a at the Chamber (well I volunteer there) but Gig Harbor is a beautiful little spot just over the bridge from Tacoma. Up until 1996 we were about 4,000, then annexed part of the county and grew to 6,500 in population. It *is* one of those towns where you seem to know a lot of folks...I just LOVE it here. We have hometown parades and a Maritime Fest (weekend in June) for that old time appeal.

GH has a great waterfront area where people do their jogging and walking, little touristy shops, galleries, incredible view from the harbor of Mt. Rainier, bakery on the water with a nice deck for eating yummy gooey things and sandwiches, cute B&B, and a great tavern on the water. Fishing is still big here and you can always see working vessels in the harbor.

Mostly younger families and a lot of retirees (median age 37). We're (hubby and I) definately not the monied of the town but it's one of those places where it seems every other car is a fancy SUV.

I'm big on crafts and they have a pottery making place, rubber stamp store, things like that. And of course the Rocky Mtn ice cream/homemade candy place that one can't resist while doing the jaunt around the harbor.

Fun place to sea kayak around as well.

The epicenter of the quake was actually closer to us here in Gig Harbor than Seattle (less than 20 from GH) so we felt the shake pretty good.

Here are some pics (I see they have one on the site of the Space Needle--you can't see it from GH though)

Michelle! I had to have instant gratification yesterday so I went to the store and bought mine. I agree, quality, heavy duty stuff. I didn't realize that deep down in one of my cupboards I had some of what I bought but it was hubby's bachelor stuff so it's now in the charity bag

I can't wait to bake and use these!

Re Tavolo..yes they have good stuff but I've been buying too much online (all clad and other gadgets) and it's hard to hide those huge shipping boxes in the garage (need to make a run to the recycle place!)...