How to Use Pie Weights Properly to Make a Perfect Pie

Do you like making pies but struggle to get the crust exactly right? If that’s the case, you should start employing pie weights! Pie weights are a simple tool that ensures your crust cooks evenly and does not puff up. In this blog article, I’ll show you how to utilize them successfully for consistently flawless pie.

To utilize pie weights successfully, follow these steps:

• Prepare your pie crust
• Line it in parchment paper making sure there’s enough overhang space left
• Pour the pie weights into the parchment paper
• Be sure to evenly distribute the pie weights in the crust
• Now bake following the recipe instructions

I go into more detail about this issue below, explaining why and how you would wish to employ pie weights.

What Is the Most Effective Method to Utilize Pie Weights?

Overall, parchment paper is the ideal method to utilize pie weights. Make the pie dough and line it with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang. Fill the parchment paper with pie weights. Check that the weights are spread equally throughout the whole surface of the crust.

Pie weights and parchment paper help protect your crust from blowing up or becoming uneven. After baking according to the recipe’s directions, gently collect the parchment paper’s edges. Lift the pie weights and parchment paper out of the pie shell slowly.

Parchment paper is an excellent technique to keep your pie weights from sticking to the dough.

I’ve used Ceramic Pie Weights for as long as I can remember, and they’ve rescued my pie crusts on several times. As a general guideline, for every 9-inch pie, use around 2.2 pounds of pie weights. I use these Ceramic Pie Weights, which you can get on Amazon!

As the pie crust cools fully, place the weights in a bowl. You are now ready to add your pie filling and proceed with your delectable dish!

Understanding how pie weights function is essential for making the ideal pie. This is why I discuss all you need to know about pie weights farther down.

How many pie weights are required for each pie size?

On general, a 9-inch pie requires around 2 pounds of pie weights, give or take a few ounces. For a smaller pie, such as a tart pan, you may use just 12 oz. of weights. Using too little prevents equal weight distribution, resulting in uneven crust rising.

It is critical to know how many pie weights you will need. Here’s a table that shows how much you’d need:

As a general guideline, for a 9-inch pie, use around 2 pounds of pie weights. This ensures that your whole pie crust is coated and that it does not puff up unevenly.

*Also, I just published a post titled The Greatest Pie Weight Substitutes. This post goes through all of the pie weight substitutions you could have at home right now to utilize for your pie making adventures. This article may be found here!

A 4-inch tiny pie requires just half a pound of pie weight. If you’re using dry beans, you’ll need roughly a cup. A 10-inch pie, for example, will need closer to three pounds of pie weight.

What Are Pie Weights and How Do They Work?

Pie weights, as a whole, weigh down the dough while it bakes. This helps to keep the dough from inflating up. The weights also assist to prevent big air pockets from forming, which may cause the crust to become uneven. The crust rises when baked, which may be regulated by employing pie weights.

While making pies, one of the most common issues that bakers experience is that the dough puffs up in the oven, causing the crust to become uneven. You can avoid this from occuring by using pie weights.

I’ve also had problems with bubbling. As the fat in the dough begins to melt, it might cause the dough to bubble. Not only is this unsightly, but it may also cause the crust to become uneven.

Again, utilizing pie weights will prevent this from occurring.

Pie weights help keep the dough securely snuggled against the edges of the pie pan. This is significant because it aids in the prevention of big air pockets from forming.

By the way, I just published an article titled The Best Ways to Keep Pie Crusts from Shrinking. This article explains why your pie crusts can be shrinking and how to prevent it! This article may be found here!

Is it really necessary to use pie weights?

The answer is yes if you want to make the ideal pie. Pie weights are a simple instrument that may significantly improve the quality of your pies. Although you may theoretically bake a pie without adding pie weights, your crust will be uneven and puff up if you do.

Here are some more advantages of adopting pie weights:

They assist in the baking of the pie.

Heat is conducted by pie weights. Hence, if you want an evenly cooked pie, employing these weights is the way to go. These will assist in baking the pie from the inside out.

They aid in the preservation of the pie crust’s form.

One of the primary advantages of utilizing pie weights, as previously stated, is that they assist to minimize the production of big air pockets. This helps to maintain the crust in form and keeps it from becoming uneven.

They keep you from becoming soggy.

My crust has turned wet on a few times. This is mainly due to the filling being excessively watery. You may avoid this by adding pie weights, which assist to keep the dough firm and in place.

They keep the bubbles at bay.

The dough for a pie or pastry is prone to bubbling. This is due to the fat content in the dough. But, you may avoid this by adding pie weights, which serve to weigh down the dough.

Are Pie Weights Really Worth It?

Overall, pie weights are an easy and affordable method to bake the ideal pie, making their purchase worthwhile. It is possible to bake a pie without employing pie weights, however it is not advised. The reason for this is because you want to make the ideal pie crust that doesn’t puff up or cook unevenly.

While preparing pies, I always seek for Ceramic Pie Pans. I just discovered a Set of Two Ceramic Pie Pans for Baking that work great for making pies in the oven. On Amazon, you can get this Set of Ceramic Pie Pans!

When the cost of standard pie weights is weighed against the advantages they provide, it is clear that pie weights are well worth the money. These not only aid in the creation of the ideal pie, but they also assist to avoid frequent pie-baking complications.

Pie weights are a culinary item that you cannot live without if you are serious about making pies. This is particularly true if you own a company or are baking for a big gathering.

Is it possible to reuse pie weights?

Most pie weights are washable and reusable in general. These pie weights are constructed of ceramic, glass, or metal. After you’re through use them, just wash them with soap and warm water. The ones that are not reusable are usually made of uncooked rice and are discarded after use.

Certain pie weights, on the other hand, are not reusable. Often, these weights are constructed of uncooked grains, dry beans, or sand. After you’re through baking with them, just throw them away.

After a few uses, you may need to change your reusable pie weights. This is due to the fact that they might lose form and become less effective over time.

*Side Note: You may also be interested in whether it is possible to bake a square pie. I just published an essay on How To Make A Square Pie, which you can read here!

What Can I Substitute for Pie Weights?

As a general rule, dry beans or even uncooked rice may be used in place of pie weights. Check that the beans or rice you’re using are uncooked and thoroughly dry. Since they are light, you may need to use them often. A secure bag of sand that distributes readily along the crust is another option.

Last Thoughts

Pie weights are a quick and easy method to create the ideal pie! They aid in the prevention of typical baking problems like as uneven crusts and bubbling.

Pie weights are also reusable, making them an excellent purchase for any baker!