baking questions

[JandJmom]

I hope I'm on the right board, here
Does anyone know of a great website to order baking pans from? I am trying to start baking our own birthday cakes, and I need to buy the square and round pans that professionals use, I guess...so many websites though, and they seem expensive (around $30 for one pan??) but I guess if they last forever I have to buy them..if anyone has any good ideas I'd so appreciate it.
Stacey

[LynnS6]

How much have you baked?

If it's not much, I'd start with a decent quality set from a local cooking store. This is the kind of thing I'd get advice on from someone I trust. So, I prefer to use stainless steel (not non-stick). Fairly heavy. I got these as gifts, but I doubt highly that they cost $30 each!

You can start with 2 8" or 9" round pans, one 8 or 9" square, and a 9x13 and add on later. For our round birthday cakes, I do the 8" rounds. For more adventurous cakes (i.e. ones with shapes), I use either a combo of a round and a square or a 9x13 pan and cut it up. So, dd wants a cake made into a #4 for her next birthday, and I will use 2 square pans and cut it up. For a #5, I'd do a round and a square. I've made cakes in the shape of a teddy bear, bunny, fire truck and bus all with the pans above.