• Springform pans are ideal for cheesecake.cheesecake image by cherie from Fotolia.com
  
  Two pieces comprise the springform pan: the base and the ring. In a round springform pan, a circular disk makes up the pan's bottom or base. The ring, or wraparound walls of the cake pan, open and close with a spring-like latch, locking the ring into place around the base. When assembled, it looks similar to a regular round cake pan. Springform pans enable you to remove the cake without inverting the pan. They are available in a variety of shapes, such as heart shaped and rectangular.
  
  

Selection

• When choosing a springform pan, look for one with a darker color, as they tend to distribute heat more evenly. After you bring your new pan home, store it somewhere it won't get knocked around, as rough handling can bend the pan, making it more apt to leak.
  
  

Leaking

• Because the springform pan has several parts that fit together, they sometimes leak. Thin batter recipes or batter with high sugar content is more apt to leak through the pan's seams. To prevent leaking, wrap the bottom of the pan with aluminum foil. This may result in a slightly longer baking time.
  
  

Removal

• After taking the finished cake from the oven, allow it to set for about five minutes before releasing the ring and separating the cake from the pan. If the cake appears to stick to the pan, use a dull-edged frosting spatula and gently nudge the cake from the ring, without scratching the pan. Do this before you attempt to unlatch the ring, as releasing the ring with the cake affixed to the pan can cause some of the cake to pull apart.
  
  

Base

• For a pan made from aluminum, stainless or tin, remove the base before storing the cake. Leaving the base attached can impart a metallic taste to the cake. To separate the base from the bottom of the cake with ease, use parchment paper to line the base of the pan before adding the batter. Cut the paper to match the shape the pan's base. A base with a dimpled texture will be easier to separate from the bottom of the cake.
  
  

Washing

• Although springform pans are often dishwasher safe, this isn't necessarily the best way to clean them. Wash the pans by hand, in warm water, using liquid dish soap and a soft washcloth.