How to Reuse Pie Tins in Cooking

For people who eat pies, there's the constant issue of what to do with the pie tins the pie came in. If you are willing to think of alternative uses, there are four which can be useful to consider.

Baking

This use of pie tins I found when I needed a baking tray, and didn't have a spare baking tray anywhere. I realized that since I baked what was originally in the pan, and washed it out after for recycling, why couldn't I use the clean pan again for another dish? So began my use of foil dinner trays for baking dishes. And an added feature, food doesn't stick to them if you don't overcook it.

Camping Idea

Save up a few pie tins and use them on camping trips. Reusing pie tins as camp plates can save on cleaning, and disposal. You can use pie tins to cook over a flame, but you do need to remember that the tins must be high off of the flame and placed on a stable grid. Try having the pie tin high enough where flames don't lap the bottom of the tin. You also need to remember to move the tin around so that no one spot gets burned. Cold foods, such as sandwiches, platters, and pre-made meals can easily be transported and enjoyed in pie tins. Use aluminum foil to cover the food which will work for both cold and hot items.

Disposable Dishes

Pie tins can be used as dinner dishes for those who are in need of emergency dinnerware. While you can't use pie tins for formal dinners, but you can use them for other occasions. People who have just moved into a new home, people who have young kids or toddlers which can break dishes, people who don't have dishes like college students, or if you move around often. Just remember you can't use pie tins in the microwave.

Steaming

An odd but true fact I found. Take two equal sized pie tins and fill one with boiling water. Place the food to be cooked in a sealable freezer bag and then place the bag in the water. Place the other pie tin inverted over top of the first tin. Take the unfolded edges and refold over the edge of the bottom tin. Place in the oven and heat at 325 for about half an hour. Be careful to use potholders to take the dish out of the oven. Remember there will be hot steam escaping the dish when you remove the top tin. You can also steam small items over campfires if you keep the tins high enough from the heat as noted above.