What size bread pan do you recommend?

[The Muse]

I'm going to try baking bread, mostly yeast breads for sandwiches and toast. I don't have loaf pans and will need to buy some.

I see there's 8.5" x 4.5" and 9" x 5". Which size do you recommend?

[nancycg56]

As a rule of thumb, I use 9x5 for yeast breads and 8x4 for quick breads.

HTH

[Domestic Gal]

Mine is 5 x 11.5. This makes about the same size of the cheap white loaf that you buy in the store.
I really like it because the smaller sizes rise to high and do not fit in the sand. containers for lunches.
Check the thrift stores or freecycle I got mine at the thrift store.
Also if you can find a bread guide they are great also. They cut the bread about the same width as the store bought bread.

[Seona]

I make mostly whole grain breads and I use 8x4 pans. Because whole grain breads are heavier and often don't rise as high as white breads, a smaller pan gives you a nicer-looking rounded loaf.

[Michelle]

I use whichever I pull out first from the cabinet

[pat in east texas]

It depends on the amount of flour I'm using and also the size loaf I want. Sometimes with a large recipe, I'll use smaller pans and bake rolls, too. I think a good rule of thumb is use the pan that's half full when you put the dough in.