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See why.Pie Carriers
Traveling with a delicate pie can feel like tempting fate, but a good pie carrier can make the task easier and more secure.
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Traveling with a delicate pie can feel like tempting fate, but a good pie carrier can make the task easier and more secure. The most basic models are simply pie-shaped plastic storage containers, but we also found a handful that come with straps or handles for easier carrying, and even one that expands for transporting multiple pies. We tested three of these advanced models along with two simple containers (all priced from $11.88 to $25.99) by loading the carriers with 8-, 9-, and 10-inch pies, including shallow double-crust pies and taller cream-topped pies. We then evaluated each for fit, sturdiness, and durability by walking around the block and driving down 3 miles of bumpy roads.
Both of the simple container-style carriers were immediate flops because they were too shallow to fit anything taller than a 2-inch-high apple pie without crushing the top crust. Such pies slid around recklessly on the carriers’ wide, slippery bases, damaging the crusts’ delicate edges.
Handles made carriers more secure and easily transportable with one hand. Of these three models, one was too short for taller pies, and its cloth exterior was hard to clean. The two handled plastic carriers sported molded or grippy bases that kept pies perfectly stable and large domes that easily accommodated most cream-topped pies. To determine a winner, we loaded each one with the loftiest pie we could think of: our Cook's Illustrated Mile-High Lemon Meringue Pie, which stands almost 6 inches tall. Only our winner, a smaller version of our favorite cake carrier, was able to accommodate its high peaks. Plus, it expands and includes an insert that creates a second level for transporting two shallow pies, or flips to hold 28 deviled eggs.
Everything We Tested
Highly Recommended
- Fit: 3 stars out of 3.
- Ease of Use: 2.5 stars out of 3.
- Performance: 3 stars out of 3.
A smaller version of our favorite cake carrier, this collapsible plastic tote expanded to accommodate even our tallest Mile-High Lemon Meringue Pie. Its large, nonskid base held 8-, 9-, and 10-inch pies perfectly in place, even on bumpy car rides. A bonus: It comes with two molded inserts for deviled eggs, one of which can be flipped upside down and used as a second tier for transporting two shorter pies at once. Its one slight fault: The latches took a little finessing to secure properly.
Recommended
- Fit: 2 stars out of 3.
- Ease of Use: 3 stars out of 3.
- Performance: 2 stars out of 3.
Though too shallow for the tallest meringue pies, this carrier comfortably accommodated every other pie we tried in it. Testers loved the shallow recesses in the base of this carrier, which made it easy to slip our hands under the pie plate for easy removal. Another bonus: It comes with a copy of our favorite 9-inch glass pie plate for a bargain price. (While this carrier worked with other plates, we saw the best results when we used the included pie plate.)
Not Recommended
- Fit: 1 stars out of 3.
- Ease of Use: 2 stars out of 3.
- Performance: 2 stars out of 3.
This handled fabric pie carrier failed to provide structure or support: Cream-topped pies smashed against its shallow top, and delicate crusts rubbed against its flexible sides. Spills and stains lingered on the cloth.
- Fit: 1 stars out of 3.
- Ease of Use: 1 stars out of 3.
- Performance: 1 stars out of 3.
Testers thought this container might be fine for storing leftovers, but it offers little support for transporting pies—and definitely wasn’t worth the steep price. The few pies that fit in the short container slid around in its wide base, smashing their edges against its sides.
- Fit: 1 stars out of 3.
- Ease of Use: 1 stars out of 3.
- Performance: 1 stars out of 3.
In this wide, shallow carrier, whole pies either became squashed or slid around recklessly. Testers often had trouble snapping its lid securely shut. The six smaller, triangular containers that are included for storing leftover pie slices might be useful, or they might be easy to misplace.
Reviews you can trust
Reviews you can trust
The mission of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews is to find the best equipment and ingredients for the home cook through rigorous, hands-on testing. We stand behind our winners so much that we even put our seal of approval on them.
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