The Fox Run 4868 is the best stainless steel muffin pan for most bakers who want 12 standard cups and a bare metal food-contact surface. Choose the E-far two-pack when two six-cup pans fit your oven or when a published 450°F limit matters more than a full dozen in one pan.
Stainless muffin pans are not automatically interchangeable. Cup count, cup depth, welded construction, rolled rims, surface finish, alloy information, care instructions, and oven limits vary. The picks below stay inside the muffin and cupcake pan category and leave out coated or aluminized pans whose wells do not meet this guide’s stainless-steel boundary.
If you need a flat baking surface rather than wells, start with our guide to stainless steel baking sheets.
Our stainless steel muffin pan picks
| Pick | Best for | Cups | Published oven limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Run 4868 | Most standard-size batches | 12 | Not published |
| E-far two-pack | Two smaller batches | 6 per pan | 450°F |
| Fox Run 4741 | Jumbo muffins and cupcakes | 6 extra-large | Not published |
| Fox Run 4867 | A single six-cup pan | 6 standard | Not published |
1. Best overall: Fox Run 4868 12-Cup Muffin Pan
The Fox Run 4868 is the straightforward standard-size choice. Its exact listing identifies model 4868, 12 cups, a 13.75-by-10.5-by-1.25-inch pan, and a stainless steel construction. Fox Run’s current wholesale entry identifies the same SKU as 18/0 stainless steel at 0.30 mm or 28 gauge, with nickel below 1 percent. The maker does not publish an oven-temperature limit for this model in the sources checked, so do not treat the phrase “extreme temperatures” as a numeric rating.
The pan has a 1.25-inch overall height. The exact listing calls the surface non-reactive and nonporous, with no coating listed. That makes it a reasonable pick when you want to use paper liners, grease, or another recipe-approved release method instead of relying on a nonstick layer. A polished or smooth stainless surface can still need preparation, especially for sugary batters.
The exact Amazon record showed a 4.5 rating from 1,124 ratings on August 21, 2026. Those numbers are a dated marketplace snapshot, not a quality score from our own baking test.
Fox Run 4868 Stainless Steel 12-Cup Muffin Pan
4.5 out of 5 (1,124 ratings, as of August 21, 2026)
A bare stainless steel 12-cup pan for standard muffins, cupcakes, and other cup-shaped bakes.
- 12 standard cups
- 13.75-by-10.5-by-1.25-inch overall dimensions
- Stainless steel surface with no coating listed
Pros
- Makes a full dozen standard-size portions
- Food-contact wells are identified as stainless steel
- Current maker entry publishes the 18/0 alloy and gauge
Cons
- Manufacturer oven limit is not published in the checked sources
- Bare metal is not nonstick
Considerations
Use liners or grease as the recipe permits, and confirm the live care and heat instructions before a high-temperature bake.
2. Best two-pan set: E-far Stainless Steel 6-Cup Muffin Pan Set
The E-far two-pack splits a standard dozen across two smaller pans. Each pan has six standard cups, a 11.44-by-7.12-by-1.25-inch footprint, 2.75-inch cavity tops, and 2-inch cavity bottoms. That layout can be useful when one pan needs to fit a smaller oven or when you want to stagger batches.
E-far’s current product page describes premium stainless steel, a matte cup finish, wide rims, dishwasher care, and a 450°F oven limit. It does not publish a stainless grade. The exact record also says the pans are stainless steel and lists 450°F, so the temperature limit is one of the clearer specifications in this roundup. Grease the cups or use liners when release matters. “Non-toxic” marketing does not make the bare surface nonstick.
The exact Amazon record showed a 4.7 rating from 949 ratings on August 21, 2026. The rating covers this exact two-pan ASIN at the snapshot date.
E-far Stainless Steel 6-Cup Muffin Pan Set of 2
4.7 out of 5 (949 ratings, as of August 21, 2026)
Two compact six-cup stainless steel pans for smaller ovens, staggered batches, and standard-size muffins.
- Two pans with six standard cups each
- 11.44-by-7.12-by-1.25-inch pan dimensions
- Published oven limit of 450°F
Pros
- Two pans can be used separately or together
- Exact cup dimensions are published
- Manufacturer page states dishwasher care
Cons
- A single pan makes only six portions
- Manufacturer does not publish an alloy grade
Considerations
Pick this set when the smaller footprint or two-pan workflow is useful; check the live listing if your recipe calls for heat above 450°F.
3. Best for jumbo portions: Fox Run 4741 Extra-Large Muffin Pan
The Fox Run 4741 is the specialty pick for six extra-large muffins or cupcakes. The exact listing identifies model 4741, a 13.25-by-8.75-by-1.75-inch overall size, and six cavities measuring 3.5 inches wide by 1.75 inches tall. Fox Run’s current wholesale page identifies the model as a stainless steel giant muffin pan with six cavities, but lists the cavity width as 4 inches. Because the two current sources disagree on width, verify the live listing before ordering liners.
This is a different baking job from a standard 12-cup tin. The large wells hold more batter, take more time to fill, and may need liners sized for jumbo cups. The exact listing says the pan is 304 stainless steel, while the maker page confirms stainless construction without separately publishing an alloy grade. That distinction matters: the 304 statement is recorded as an exact-listing field, not expanded into a claim about every Fox Run pan.
The exact Amazon record showed a 4.6 rating from 349 ratings on August 21, 2026. No numeric oven limit was published in the sources checked. Use the lowest heat limit specified by your recipe, oven, and live product instructions.
Fox Run 4741 Stainless Steel Extra-Large 6-Cup Muffin Pan
4.6 out of 5 (349 ratings, as of August 21, 2026)
A six-cup stainless steel pan with extra-large wells for jumbo muffins, cupcakes, and other large portions.
- Six extra-large cups
- 13.25-by-8.75-by-1.75-inch overall dimensions
- 3.5-inch-wide by 1.75-inch-tall cups
Pros
- Cavity depth and overall dimensions are published
- Stainless construction is confirmed by the maker page
- Useful for jumbo portions rather than a crowded standard tin
Cons
- Exact listing and maker page disagree on cavity width
- Numeric oven limit is not published in the checked sources
Considerations
Measure your oven and buy liners for jumbo cavities; do not substitute standard-cup timing without checking the recipe.
4. Best single six-cup pan: Fox Run 4867
The Fox Run 4867 is the smaller standard-size alternative to the 4868. It has six cups in a 10.5-by-7.25-by-1.25-inch pan, according to the exact listing. Fox Run’s current wholesale page identifies model 4867 as 18/0 stainless steel at 0.30 mm or 28 gauge, with nickel below 1 percent. It is a fit for smaller batches, toaster-oven planning when the oven instructions allow it, or bakers who do not want two pans in a cabinet.
The exact record describes a stain-, scratch-, and rust-resistant stainless surface, but does not publish a coating. Treat the surface as bare stainless rather than nonstick. The exact listing says dishwasher safe, while the maker page does not provide a numeric oven limit. For care, avoid assuming that a dishwasher cycle or high heat is right for every finish; verify the live maker and retailer instructions.
The exact Amazon record showed a 4.5 rating from 236 ratings on August 21, 2026. The product was listed with limited stock at that retrieval, so availability should be checked before purchase.
Fox Run 4867 Stainless Steel 6-Cup Muffin Pan
4.5 out of 5 (236 ratings, as of August 21, 2026)
A compact six-cup stainless steel pan for smaller standard-size muffin and cupcake batches.
- Six standard cups
- 10.5-by-7.25-by-1.25-inch overall dimensions
- Stainless steel surface with no coating listed
Pros
- Smaller footprint than a 12-cup pan
- Current maker entry publishes the 18/0 alloy and gauge
- Works for modest batch sizes
Cons
- Six portions may be too few for a full recipe
- Manufacturer oven limit and alloy grade are not published
Considerations
Choose it for storage or batch size, then confirm the current care and heat instructions before baking.
How we chose
This is a research-based comparison, not a hands-on or side-by-side test. On August 21, 2026, I used Bright Data to discover current Amazon candidates and retrieve exact-ASIN records for the four products above. I recorded the rating and rating count on that date, then checked current manufacturer pages or catalogs for material, dimensions, cup format, care, and oven guidance where published.
The main filter was the food-contact well. A pan only qualified when the exact listing and a current manufacturer source identified the pan or cups as stainless steel, or when a manufacturer page identified the exact model as stainless steel. Coated, aluminized, silicone, and ambiguous central well surfaces were excluded. I kept alloy grades unknown when the source did not publish one, and I did not treat a stainless frame or rim as proof that the wells were stainless.
I prioritized:
- Stainless steel for the wells that touch batter.
- A clear cup count, cup size, and overall footprint.
- Published oven and care limits, while leaving missing limits unknown.
- A useful choice between standard, compact, jumbo, and two-pan formats.
- Current marketplace ratings and review counts with their retrieval date.
Ratings, stock, package contents, and specifications can change. Check the live listing and maker instructions before buying. A cooling rack can help move a pan or cool baked goods after the oven; compare the best stainless steel cooling racks if you need one.
Food-contact materials
The table separates the well material from the rim, finish, and alloy details. “Not published” means the checked source did not provide the field, not that the material is absent.
| Pick | Wells and food-contact surface | Coating, rim, or frame | Alloy evidence | Care and oven evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Run 4868 | Stainless steel pan and 12 molds identified by the exact listing and maker page | No coating listed; rim details are not fully specified | 18/0 stainless steel, 0.30 mm or 28 gauge, nickel below 1 percent | Exact listing says dishwasher safe; numeric oven limit not published | Fox Run 4868 maker page |
| E-far six-cup set | Manufacturer page and exact listing describe stainless steel pans and cups | Matte cup finish and wide rim described; no coating listed | Not published | Manufacturer page and exact listing state dishwasher safe and 450°F | E-far product page |
| Fox Run 4741 | Stainless steel pan and six extra-large cups identified by exact listing and maker wholesale page | No coating listed; rim construction not separately specified | Exact listing states 304 stainless steel; maker page does not publish a grade | Exact listing says dishwasher safe; numeric oven limit not published | Fox Run 4741 wholesale page |
| Fox Run 4867 | Stainless steel pan and six molds identified by the exact listing and maker page | No coating listed; rim details are not fully specified | 18/0 stainless steel, 0.30 mm or 28 gauge, nickel below 1 percent | Exact listing says dishwasher safe; numeric oven limit not published | Fox Run 4867 maker page |
Stainless steel is not the same as nonstick. For cleaner release, use paper liners or grease according to the recipe. Avoid metal tools that can scratch a finish, and let the pan cool before washing it if the current instructions call for that approach.
What to look for in a stainless muffin pan
Start with cup size
“Standard,” “jumbo,” and “mini” are not interchangeable. Check the cavity diameter and depth when the recipe specifies a size. The Fox Run 4741 is a true extra-large pan, while the 4867, 4868, and E-far pans are standard-size formats. Fox Run’s 4741 maker page lists a 4-inch cup width while the exact Amazon record lists 3.5 inches, so verify the current measurement before buying liners.
Check the food-contact surface
Read past a product title that says “steel.” Some pans use aluminized steel, carbon steel, a nonstick coating, silicone, or a steel frame around another material. If the manufacturer does not identify the inside of the wells, leave the product out of a stainless-well comparison.
Read the oven limit and care notes together
A pan can be stainless steel without having a published temperature rating. Do not infer a numeric limit from “oven safe,” “high heat,” or a general description of stainless steel. Use the lowest published limit for the exact pan and any liner or accessory, and follow the maker’s cleaning instructions.
Plan for release
Bare stainless steel does not promise release like a nonstick coating. Liners make cleanup easier, while greasing can help when the recipe calls for a direct pan bake. If you are preparing batter in a separate vessel, the best stainless steel mixing bowls cover sizes and rim designs for that job. For decorated cupcakes or cutout toppings, the best stainless steel cookie cutters are a different tool and should not be confused with a muffin pan.
Stainless steel muffin pan questions
Are stainless steel muffin pans nonstick?
No. A bare stainless surface can be polished or matte, but that is not a nonstick coating. Use liners or grease as the recipe permits, and leave enough cooling time before trying to lift baked goods.
Is stainless steel safe for muffin batter?
The four picks here are identified as stainless steel on the food-contact pan or cup surfaces by the exact listing and a manufacturer source. Their alloy grades are not all published. If a different pan only identifies a stainless exterior, frame, or rim, its wells remain unknown and it does not meet this guide’s selection boundary.
What size muffin pan should I buy?
Buy the size that matches your recipes and oven. A 12-cup standard pan suits a full dozen, a six-cup pan suits smaller batches, and a jumbo pan makes fewer larger portions. Measure both the oven rack and the pan’s overall dimensions, not only the cup diameter.
Can stainless steel muffin pans go in the dishwasher?
The exact listings for these picks describe dishwasher-safe care, and E-far’s manufacturer page does as well. Care wording can change, so check the live instructions for the exact model. A dishwasher-safe claim does not establish an oven limit or an alloy grade.
