Question : Is $42 the price for only one pan?
Answer : Hi, I have purchased the loaf pan for 49.95 set of 2, but you need to check well, every seller has somewhat different pricing.
Question : Can this be put in a dishwasher?
Answer : You probably shouldn't. Stoneware like this is not supposed to be submerged in soapy water, as the stoneware may make whatever you bake in it taste soapy. The same would apply to washing it in a dishwasher. When I use my stoneware (loaf pan, pizza stone, etc) I scrape the debris off with a scraper and then wash it in just water. Hope this helps. I love my Pampered Chef stoneware loaf pan, and I hope you will love yours as well.
Question : If I want to bake bread in this, can it go straight from a cold or cool environment into the hot oven? Or should it be room temp? Preheated?
Answer : It says it can go in the freezer but to defrost in the fridge before baking it does not say it must be room temperature.
Question : Need to be seasoned
Answer : Thanks for your question. Answer from Pampered Chef. Preparing to Use Your Stoneware and Seasoning Q: What do I need to do to my Stoneware before I use it for the first time? A: Rinse Stoneware in warm water, then towel dry and start to use it with any of your favorite foods. Baking higher fat items first will help to start develop the seasoning layer. Also, unlike other clay bakers made of terra cotta clay, our Stoneware does not require soaking before use. Q: How should Stoneware be seasoned? A: Season stoneware by baking a high-fat food such as refrigerated dough for dinner rolls, biscuits or cookies, on its surface. Afterwards, greasing is usually unnecessary. As your Stoneware becomes increasingly seasoned, it forms a natural nonstick surface. The color of your Stoneware will also gradually change from its natural color to a deep brown over time. Seasoning progression may vary and is based on the types of foods prepared on your Stone. Do not use aerosol nonstick spray. Q: Why is the seasoning on my Stoneware uneven? A: Seasoning is a gradual progression. The extent of seasoning will vary based on the types of foods baked on the surface and how much of the surface is covered by food. For example: if your Stone is used mostly for pizza, the center may not season as quickly as the outer edges.
Question : Is it best to preheat the loaf pan prior to adding bread dough?
Answer : Info from the Pampered Chef web site: Using your new stone, your new stone is heat-safe to 550°F (287°C), so you can use it in the oven, microwave, dishwasher, freezer, and under the broiler. Plus, it can go from the fridge to a preheated oven. Simply use the temperature and baking time in your recipe. If under 12 minutes, you may need to add 1-2 minutes. Here are more ways to enjoy your stone for years to come: Evenly distribute food across as much of the surface as possible, at least two-thirds full. You can preheat your stone up to 500°F (260°C) for up to 30 minutes. When preheating, your cook time may be shorter, so check 5-10 minutes sooner. No preheating is needed for frozen pizza.