The Best Pie Weights

Buying Guide

When you make certain types of pies such as pumpkin, chocolate cream or lemon meringue, you may need to bake the crust on its own and add the filling later. Called blind baking, this popular process can lead to unwanted air bubbles forming in the crust, especially if it’s a flaky rather than graham cracker style. Pie weights help prevent this problem since they help hold the crust down to the pan. They come in a few different styles that you can use quickly and easily.

The most common pie weights resemble a set of small beads made of ceramic or metal. They tend to come in large quantities, but you may need more than one pack for your needs. While the ceramic ones usually come in white, some makers offer mixed packs with colors such as orange, gray, blue or green. If you purchase these pie weights, be prepared to deal with a lot of small pieces that you’ll have to put in and take out.

If you’d prefer not to use individual weights, you can look for pie-weight chains. You’ll find these easier to work with since the beads connect on a chain, and the setup and removal processes take less work. The chains usually contain beads made of silicone or stainless steel rather than ceramic. They also come in several lengths typically measured in feet, so coverage will vary depending on the chain length and pie size.

A less common type of pie weight looks like a large disc that you simply place in the pie pan. The disc usually has a metal center with silicone used for the outer portion. While this option can come at a higher cost, you may find it easier to use and more convenient than dealing with individual beads or chain-style pie weights. You’ll just need to make sure you choose a disc that fits the pie pan size used.

• When shopping for ceramic pie weights, know that the individual beads can come in slightly different sizes and weights and that the packages usually state a weight in ounces or pounds. Check the guidelines from the maker since they may advise you on how many you need for different pie sizes.
• Don’t put pie weights directly on the crust. Instead, cut and use some aluminum foil or parchment paper as a lining and place the weights on top. For convenience, you can get pre-cut pie liner sheets sized for your specific pan.
• If you end up with not enough pie weights, you can consider some substitutions until you can buy more. Some people like to use beans or popcorn kernels since they’re the most similar to beads. You can also try messier options like sugar or improvise with stacked pie dishes.
• Monitor your pie and remove the weights once the crust has become firm. Since the weights will be very hot, use the foil or parchment paper to help lift them off safely. Let weights cool before you touch or store them,
• Although they shouldn’t directly come in contact with the crust, pie weights can still get dirty or start to have an odor. When this happens, get a container with some dish soap and water to clean them.
• Pie weights in the loose bead style come with some special considerations. Since they’re so small, they present a choking hazard to small kids, so keep them out of their reach. Additionally, you could easily drop or spill them on the floor. Besides the hassles of cleanup, this can lead to safety concerns if you slip on them.
• Store your pie weights properly so you don’t lose them. Beads and chain-style weights usually come with a handy tin, box or bag to use. Make sure you seal the container properly to keep loose beads from spilling out. A sandwich bag with a zipper can make a suitable backup storage solution.
• Another handy pie-making accessory you might like is a pie crust shield. While you could use aluminum foil to create your own, buying a metal or silicone shield will save some time and provide a durable, reusable solution.