Mini Fluted Tube Pan by Wilton, 12 Cavity: Review

I was in Wal-Mart the other day looking for one more skein of yarn for an afghan I was making. This particular Wal-Mart has their baking pans near their yarn and I couldn't help myself I stopped and looked at the pans they had available. My eye spotted the 12 cavity mini flute tube pan by Wilton for $9.97 and I wanted it. It was so cute.

I saw right away that this pan would make beautifully shaped muffins that would be different from the standard muffin shape. Since I have four or five muffins pans already I didn't immediately put the pan in my basket. First, I had to talk myself into it. Okay, fine that "talk" lasted about 2 seconds, but I did stop and think a little bit before I decided to buy it.

The biggest hold back was the "Made in China." Too many things from China have been found defective and this pan would be holding food. I looked at the company who made it "Wilton," and I remembered their great reputation. Then again the pan is so cute. Let's see two things for and one against. Okay, good enough I'll buy it.

On the label Wilton states that the 12 cavity mini fluted tube pan has a lifetime warranty, it is dishwasher safe, scratch resistant, non-stick and heavy weight, even heating. On the back of the label where you can't read it until you take the label off "repair or replacement as provided under this warranty is the exclusive remedy for the original purchaser only." How will they know if I am the original owner? There isn't a place to register the pan and Wal-Mart receipts fade within a year. So how will they know?

Under "Use and Care" Wilton states that while we can use most metal spoons and spatulas we can not use sharp edged metal utensils as long as we don't press down too hard when using this pan. Although on the front Wilton states that it is dishwasher safe, on the back of the label it states that we can't use dishwasher detergent tablets and apparently it would be better just to skip the dishwasher altogether because they also state "for best results hand wash in warm, soapy water."

Mama has used the 12 cavity mini fluted tube pan several times now and we have found that it is the best pan we have for baking muffins. The muffins brown better in this pan; the color is a beautiful golden brown. All 12 muffins are baked through and through; none have spots that didn't bake. All the muffins come out the same size. We have had a problem with them sticking a bit, so mama leaves the pan upside over a cloth and eventually they do fall out in one piece.

Bottom line: I highly recommend the 12 cavity mini fluted tube pan by Wilton. In fact I'm looking for more of their pans.

Contact information:
Wilton Industries, Inc.
Woodridge, IL 60517
www.wilton.com