Nordic WareNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-Pack

After months (close to a year) of searching and trialing different baking sheets, I have found the perfect (or two perfect) ones for your consideration. I am hoping this to be a very informative review and I hope you will like it! I hope this is going to be helpful to you. Learn from my experience (and trial and error) so you buy the correct baking sheet the first time—save you time, money, and energy.This review is going to focus on two of my favorite brand’s QUARTER SHEET BAKING SHEETS. The results may or may not apply to HALF SHEETS or any other sizes. Why? Because a manufacturer may make their products differently for different product lines. Just like Ford may make good truck but not their sedans, or Subaru makes good SUVs but not necessarily pickups. It’s just an analogy! Anyway, Nordic and Vollrath are being compared here. I didn’t get the Chicago Metallic brand… maybe next time!!To start – I baked side-by-side using both brands and here are my findings:They are both “standard sized” quarter sheets – but one is slightly larger than the other. The Vollrath brand is slightly larger (or perhaps Nordic is slightly smaller??). Your “standard size” quarter-sheet baking rack will sit perfectly inside the Vollrath sheet flush and flat. On the other hand, the same rack will not sit flush in Nordic pan. In fact, you will have to very carefully balance the rack on the edge of the Nordic quarter-sheet … and if you but it just a little . .. . slush~ the rack will fall into the pan or fall off entirely.See the attached photos. So, is backing rack an important feature for your particular bake job? If yes, then you will have a hard time using the Nordic brand—either that or you have to buy purposefully smaller sized baking rack than what is “standard sized.” If not, who cares. I do need a baking rack for many of the things I bake—a rack that falls off easily is not acceptable to me. But who needs a rack for cookies? Wings? You have to think about this aspect for your own purposes.Manufacturing: the Nordic pan was perfect in attention to details. The photo of the back of the quarter-sheet pan shows you how each manufacturer rolled their heavy duty aluminum. Nordic rolled theirs much more perfectly and more detailed. See photo. On the other hand, Vollrath pan was kind of …Meh~ Like as if the manufacturer said “that’s good enough of a roll.” Does the bad rolling job make the Vollrath pan useless? No. The baking result is not impacted from my test-baking. But there’s something to be said about perfection.True Heavy Weight?: Both brands claim to be “Heavy Duty.” Check out the photos: Vollrath weighs in at 348 grams while the Nordic weighs in at 460 grams. If you do the math, this means the Nordic quarter sheet is approximately 30% more material! Yes, there’s 30% more aluminum in the Nordic quarter-sheet than the Vollrath product. That’s “30% heavier” duty.. I suppose you can put it that way. But the baking result with the Vollrath is not impacted (no warping, food bakes out equally on a side-by-side bake test). So is the extra 30% more material necessary? Thin baking sheet has the problem of bending and warping during baking (this is a known problem). If the product does NOT bend of warp… 348 gm vs. 460 gm ? Hmm. I dunno.But then again .. . Nordic is heavier weight, great, but it doesn’t accommodate a “standard sized” baking rack!!! Which is more important?? Now that’s where you need to decide for yourself.If you bake often foods that require a rack, you absolutely need a smaller rack or use the Vollrath quarter sheet to accommodate standard quarter-sheet racks. The Nordic will not fit those. On the other hand, if your bake often foods that sit directly on the pan and do not need a rack, or only uses the rack sporadically, you might be better off getting the Nordic quarter sheet and enjoy its 30% heavier weight and better machine job / better attention to details. Or get both – one Vollrath for one job, one Nordic for another job.OR, go find a smaller quarter-sheet rack (say, 1/8” smaller each side) to accommodate the Nordic quarter-sheet, then you have the best of both worlds. But that means you have to buy “less than standard sized” baking rack by about 1/8” smaller each side. Why can’t just “standard sized” things work standardly? Why don’t they just work perfectly? That was my frustration with Nordic quarter-sheet this entire time. I love that quarter-sheet but whenever I needed to use a rack, Nordic became useless to me.Thickness: You can see from the photos that the Nordic quarter-sheet is slightly thicker than the Vollrath. This came from being 30% more weight/material. I am not detecting the benefit of this extra thickness. Better heat retention? More anti-warping? More stable? Heavier? Stronger?Other things: Both quarter-sheets are NOT (I repeat, NOT) safe in dishwasher. They both need to be hand washed. They both do NOT come seasoned and they are NOT non-stick. Your best bet is put down a sheet of silicon baking sheet. I personally don’t recommend aluminum foil (but that’s what everyone does). My recommendation against aluminum foil is the excessive intake of aluminum which may be associated with Alzheimer’s disease. (This is not a medical preach, please use your own research). I simply recommend you use a silicon baking mat instead of an aluminum foil bottom to avoid getting even more aluminum in your diet. I do NOT recommend baking directly on either Nordic or Vollrath quarter-sheets: food spot will be permanently baked into the pans, black scorch marks and carbon deposits will permanently cook into the aluminum sheets and there is no easy reversal (if at all). I know, it’s only $15 a quarter-sheet so it’s not too expensive. I happen to like my things to last for years. :-)I hope this has been helpful. Write me comments if you need to ask more questions. I am attaching 8 or 9 photos to help with this review. Thanks!! Happy shopping!!

This review is for the Nordicware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet (2 Pack), Silver.Purchased in 2017. These have stood up to many uses. Not sure where people are coming up with the coating thing. These are pure aluminum. Discoloration of some kind from use is natural. Scratching of some kind is normal.If you want nonstick then put a very very thin layer of oil. Those of you that use cast iron know what I’m talking about. I guess some folks don’t put the effort into getting to know their tools.Hand wash. How hard is that? The company even says you should do that. People complain about how it looks after going through a harsh chemical bath are just not smart. Go ahead and get those cheap nonstick coated junk that will rust because they are in the dishwasher every time they get dirty. Then buy another set and then another.I personally would not hesitate to buy these again. I don’t need to because they will last my entire life since I take care of them. The price is amazing for what you get.

If you're looking to upgrade your baking game, or simply tired of flimsy, warping cookie sheets, the Nordic Ware Naturals Aluminum Commercial Half Sheet 2-Pack is a fantastic investment. This set, proudly made in the USA, delivers on its promise of durability, even heating, and overall versatility.What I Love:Heavy-Duty Construction: The first thing you'll notice is the heft. These pans feel substantial, not flimsy or lightweight like many cheaper options. The pure aluminum construction is thick and sturdy, promising years of reliable use. They don't buckle or warp, even at high oven temperatures.Excellent Heat Distribution: This is where these pans truly shine. The unpainted aluminum heats up quickly and evenly, leading to perfectly browned cookies, evenly cooked roasted vegetables, and consistent results every time. No more hot spots or undercooked edges!Perfect Size & Versatility: The half-sheet size is incredibly practical. It's large enough to handle a big batch of cookies or roast a family dinner, yet it still fits comfortably in most standard ovens. Beyond baking, I've used them for sheet pan dinners, roasting veggies, making pizza, and even as a cooling rack for larger items.Easy to Clean (with proper care): While they're not non-stick, cleanup is surprisingly manageable. I recommend using parchment paper or silicone mats for stickier items. For general use, a bit of dish soap and a gentle scrub is all it usually takes. Some patina/tarnishing is normal for bare aluminum and doesn't affect performance.American-Made Quality: Knowing these pans are made in the USA with high-quality materials gives me confidence in their longevity and performance. It's a purchase you can feel good about.Great Value: While they may seem like a bit of an investment upfront, these pans are built to last. Considering their durability and performance, the 2-pack provides excellent value and will likely replace multiple cheaper pans you might otherwise go through.Things to Consider:Not Non-Stick: These pans are made from uncoated aluminum, so they’re not non-stick. You will need to use parchment paper, silicone baking mats, or grease your pan well to prevent sticking, especially with delicate baked goods.Patina/Tarnishing: Over time, these pans will naturally develop a patina (oxidation) which is a normal process for bare aluminum and is not harmful. Some might prefer a shiny, new look, but the darkening does not impact their performance.Storage: Two half-sheet pans do take up some space, so be mindful of that if you have limited storage.Overall:The Nordic Ware Naturals Aluminum Commercial Half Sheet 2-Pack is a truly worthwhile addition to any kitchen. Their robust construction, exceptional heat distribution, and versatility make them a go-to for both baking and everyday cooking tasks. While they might not be as convenient as non-stick options, the trade-off in performance and durability is well worth it. If you're serious about baking and looking for pans that will last, I highly recommend these. Five out of five stars. This is a purchase you won't regret.

I spent 30 years working in a bakery. These sheet pans are identical to what we used for various baking needs. High quality, perfect size and long lasting finish. These are best when used with parchment paper (or similar) to prevent foods from sticking, but can also be used as a jelly roll pan. Cooking is even across the pan.5 STARS AND I DO RECOMMEND THIS ITEMI write honest reviews based on real life experience with each item to help others make informed purchases. I read reviews too, and appreciate how helpful they can be. I hope that you find this review helpful!