A good tube pan helps pound cake bake evenly around its center and gives you a practical way to release a tall cake. The right choice depends on your recipe, how much batter it makes, and whether you prefer a one-piece pan or a removable center. Our top pick is the Nordic Ware Classic Cast Pound Cake Pan for its cast-aluminum construction, 18-cup capacity, and nonstick finish. The other options include removable-bottom designs that may suit bakers who want easier access when taking a cake out.
Quick Comparison
| Pan | Material and design | Capacity or size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nordic Ware Classic Cast Pound Cake Pan | Cast aluminum, one piece, nonstick | 18 cups; 10.2 inches across | Large pound cakes and even browning |
| Nordic Ware Naturals Angel Food Pan | Natural aluminum, removable bottom | 9.375 inches across | Bakers who want a rust-resistant, uncoated pan |
| Chicago Metallic Angel Food Cake Pan | Carbon steel, two-piece, nonstick | 16 cups; 9.5 inches across | Versatile baking and upside-down cooling |
| HONGBAKE Angel Food Cake Pan | Heavy-gauge carbon steel, removable bottom | 10-inch top diameter | Bakers who want a larger pan with cooling feet |
| Wilton Aluminum Angel Food Tube Pan | Anodized aluminum, removable inner core | 10 inches across; 4 inches deep | Delicate cakes and simple release |
Our Picks: Best Tube Pan For Pound Cake reviews
Nordic Ware Classic Cast Pound Cake Pan: Best Overall
This one-piece cast-aluminum pan is the most pound-cake-focused option in the group. Its 18-cup capacity gives it room for a substantial batch, and the 10.2-inch diameter is a useful reference when checking a recipe’s pan requirements.
Cast aluminum conducts heat well, which can help cakes brown evenly. The pan also has a silicone nonstick finish that the manufacturer says is free from PFAS and PTFE. Because it is a one-piece design, there is no removable bottom or center section to fit back into place. That makes its construction straightforward, though releasing a cake depends on preparing the pan carefully and following your recipe.
At 18 cups, this is larger than the 16-cup Chicago Metallic option. It may be a strong fit for bakers who want capacity and a durable, fixed design. If your recipes are sized for a smaller pan, check the batter volume before baking to avoid overfilling.
Pros:
- Large 18-cup capacity
- Cast aluminum supports even heat distribution
- Nonstick finish is listed as free from PFAS and PTFE
- One-piece construction has no removable base to manage
Cons:
- Large capacity may not match every recipe
- One-piece design does not let you remove the cake base
Verdict: Choose this Nordic Ware pan if you want a roomy, one-piece tube pan built specifically with pound cake in mind.
Nordic Ware Naturals Angel Food Pan: Best Uncoated Aluminum Option
This two-piece pan is made from natural aluminum, which the manufacturer describes as rust-resistant and durable. Its removable bottom is intended to help with cake removal, and the 9.375-inch dimensions make it more compact than the 10-inch choices here.
Unlike the coated pans in this roundup, this pan has no nonstick finish listed. That may appeal if you prefer straightforward aluminum bakeware, but you will need to prepare it according to your pound cake recipe. The removable base can make it easier to lift a cake out, but it also means there is a seam where batter could escape if the pan is not assembled properly.
The manufacturer recommends hand washing. This is a practical pick if you want a simple aluminum pan and are comfortable with the extra care that comes with an uncoated surface. Its smaller size makes checking recipe capacity especially important.
Pros:
- Natural aluminum is described as rust-resistant
- Removable bottom helps with cake removal
- Compact 9.375-inch dimensions
Cons:
- No nonstick coating is listed
- Hand wash only
Verdict: Consider this Nordic Ware pan if you prefer uncoated aluminum and want a removable base in a relatively compact size.
Chicago Metallic Two-Piece Tube Pan: Best Versatile Pick
Chicago Metallic pairs a heavy-weight carbon-steel body with a silicone-based nonstick coating. The 9.5-inch pan holds 16 cups, placing it between the smaller Nordic Ware Naturals pan and the larger 18-cup Nordic Ware cast pan.
Its removable center is designed to make cake removal easier, while built-in feet allow air to circulate when cooling cakes upside down. Those feet are useful for angel food cake, though the pan’s stated versatility also includes pound cakes and Bundt-style desserts. For pound cake, the nonstick surface and removable center offer a different balance from the fixed one-piece Nordic Ware pick.
Hand washing is recommended to help maintain the coating. The 16-cup capacity is still substantial, so it is worth matching your recipe to the pan rather than assuming every tube cake recipe will fit.
Pros:
- Heavy-weight carbon steel is designed for even baking
- Nonstick coating supports easier release and cleanup
- Removable center and built-in cooling feet
- 16-cup capacity suits a range of cake styles
Cons:
- Hand washing is recommended
- Two-piece construction requires careful assembly
Verdict: Pick the Chicago Metallic if you want a mid-size tube pan that can handle pound cake as well as angel food and other tube-style cakes.
HONGBAKE Removable-Bottom Pan: Best for Added Cooling Airflow
HONGBAKE’s pan has a 10-inch top diameter, a removable bottom, and three feet that raise the pan for cooling. Its carbon-steel body is described as heavy-gauge, and the nonstick surface is listed as a two-layer coating. The stated heat limit is 450°F.
The feet are a notable design feature for recipes that need upside-down cooling. For pound cake, the removable bottom may be more relevant: it gives you access to the cake base when you are ready to release it. The pan’s top and bottom diameters differ, so take those measurements into account if you have limited storage space or a recipe that specifies a particular pan shape.
The coating is described as free from PFOA, BPA, and PTFE. As with other coated pans in this group, careful handling and the maker’s care guidance matter for preserving the surface. The listed dimensions include a 3.6-inch height, making this a shorter option than some deeper tube pans.
Pros:
- Removable bottom is designed for easier release
- Three feet raise the pan for airflow during cooling
- Heavy-gauge carbon-steel construction
- Nonstick coating is listed as free from PFOA, BPA, and PTFE
Cons:
- Listed height is 3.6 inches
- Top and bottom diameters are different, so check your recipe and storage space
Verdict: Choose the HONGBAKE if you value a removable base and elevated cooling design in a 10-inch tube pan.
Wilton Anodized Aluminum Pan: Best for Delicate Cakes
Wilton’s 10-inch pan is made from anodized aluminum and has a removable inner core. Its 4-inch depth gives it a familiar tube-pan profile, while the two-piece design is intended to simplify release and cleanup after baking.
The pan is designed for angel food and chiffon cakes, but its tube shape can also suit pound cake recipes that call for a compatible pan. Anodized aluminum is described as helping reduce over-baking, and the pan is oven safe to 450°F. It does not have a listed nonstick coating, so follow your recipe’s instructions for preparing the pan.
Wilton recommends hand washing and thorough drying. Compared with the Nordic Ware cast-aluminum pick, this pan is a more focused choice for delicate cakes and has a removable core rather than a fixed one-piece form.
Pros:
- 10-inch diameter and 4-inch depth
- Removable inner core supports cake release
- Anodized aluminum is described as rust-resistant and oven safe to 450°F
- Designed for angel food and chiffon cakes
Cons:
- Hand washing is required
- No nonstick coating is listed
Verdict: The Wilton is a sensible choice if your baking includes delicate cakes and you want a removable-core aluminum pan that can also work for compatible pound cake recipes.
How to Choose a Tube Pan for Pound Cake
Match the pan capacity to your recipe
Capacity is one of the clearest ways to compare tube pans. The options here range from a 16-cup pan to an 18-cup pan, while the Nordic Ware Naturals listing gives dimensions but no capacity. Check your recipe’s recommended pan size and batter volume before buying. A pan that is too small can leave little room for the cake to rise.
Choose between one-piece and removable designs
A one-piece pan has no removable bottom or center to assemble, while a two-piece pan can offer more access when releasing the cake. Removable parts may be helpful, but they also create seams that need to fit together properly. Consider how you like to remove and serve your cakes, as well as whether a removable base is worth the added assembly.
Consider the material
Aluminum and carbon steel both appear in this selection. The product descriptions highlight aluminum’s heat conductivity and describe the carbon-steel options as heavy-weight or heavy-gauge. Cast aluminum is the standout material in the Nordic Ware Classic pan, while the other designs offer natural or anodized aluminum and coated carbon steel. Choose based on the construction and care instructions you prefer.
Decide whether you want a nonstick coating
Nonstick finishes are designed to help with release and cleanup, but they do not replace careful pan preparation. Follow your recipe’s directions, and check the product’s care guidance. The natural-aluminum Nordic Ware and Wilton pans do not list nonstick coatings, while the other three options do.
Check the pan’s dimensions and shape
Diameter alone does not tell the whole story. Height, capacity, and the shape of the base can affect whether a pan suits your recipe and storage space. The HONGBAKE lists different top and bottom diameters, while the Wilton gives a 4-inch depth. Compare the full dimensions with your recipe before choosing.
Think about cooling and cleanup
Some tube cakes are cooled upside down, and the Chicago Metallic and HONGBAKE pans include feet for that purpose. Other recipes may not need this feature. Care instructions also vary: the listed recommendations for the Nordic Ware Naturals, Chicago Metallic, and Wilton pans call for hand washing. Choose a design that fits your usual baking and cleanup routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tube pan the same as a Bundt pan?
Not always. Both have a center tube, but their shapes and construction can differ. A tube pan often has a removable center or bottom, while a Bundt-style pan is commonly one piece and shaped to create a patterned exterior. Check your recipe’s pan instructions before substituting one for the other.
Can I use a tube pan for pound cake?
Yes, if the pan’s shape and capacity match your recipe. Several pans here are described as suitable for pound cake, and the Nordic Ware Classic pan is specifically presented as a pound cake pan. Confirm the batter volume before filling it.
Is a removable bottom necessary for pound cake?
No. A removable base can make it easier to access a cake when releasing it, but a one-piece pan can also work. The best choice depends on the recipe and the way you prefer to remove the finished cake.
Which pan in this roundup has the largest listed capacity?
The Nordic Ware Classic Cast Pound Cake Pan has the largest stated capacity at 18 cups. The Chicago Metallic pan is listed at 16 cups. Check the recipe’s suggested pan size before choosing based on capacity alone.
Should I grease a nonstick tube pan?
Follow your recipe’s instructions. A nonstick finish can help with release, but it does not mean every cake recipe should use an ungreased pan. Pan preparation can vary by cake type.
Can I put these pans in the dishwasher?
The supplied product details recommend hand washing for the Nordic Ware Naturals, Chicago Metallic, and Wilton pans. When care instructions are not specified, consult the product’s current guidance rather than assuming the pan is dishwasher safe.
Final Recommendation
For most pound cake bakers, the Nordic Ware Classic Cast Pound Cake Pan is the strongest all-around choice because it combines cast aluminum, a nonstick finish, one-piece construction, and an 18-cup capacity. Choose the Chicago Metallic if you want a removable center and cooling feet, or the Nordic Ware Naturals if you prefer uncoated aluminum. Before buying, match the pan’s capacity and dimensions to your favorite recipe.