Unlike in the USA, delicious, filled pastry parcels featuring delicate crimping and golden-brown crusts are synonymous with all things savoury. Sausage pie, pork pie, chicken pie and many other savoury combinations are certifiably scrumptious examples of classic UK pub grub.
Despite the raging debate between nationalities regarding just what a traditional pie should contain or look like, the origins are entirely unclear. While sweet dessert pies were depicted on the tomb walls of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the Valley of Kings, it was the Romans who covered their meats with pastry dough, the latter of which was said to have been invented by the Ancient Greeks.
Though this was more of an act of preservation than recipe creation, it certainly served as an early iteration of what would become a nourishing, easy-to-cook supper which was incredibly popular throughout the medieval periods and beyond.
Some sources believe the word ‘pie’ derives from ‘magpie’ – a bird known for collecting odd bits and bobs to create a cosy nest. Likewise, family pie recipes oftentimes originate from gathering the odds and ends from the fridge or freezer to create a wholesome meal without letting any old food go to waste.
Yet just because British pies are traditionally meaty, doesn’t mean they can’t be adapted for vegan and vegetarian diets. Dirty Vegan author Mathew Pritchard demonstrated this in his creamy mushroom pie recipe.
Now what was that incredible contraption Pritchard used? Remarkably similar to a classic toasty maker, homemade pies of elite gastro pub quality have never looked easier to make than with his brilliant pie maker. We simply must purchase our very own pie-making contraption.
What to look for in a pie maker
- Deep-fill pan: if you’re looking to make a hearty pie for a Sunday roast or mid-week dinner, you’ll want to purchase a pie maker with a deep-fill pan to ensure there’s enough room for a decent amount of filling. If you’re in the market for a dessert pie maker, however, it’s important to go for a shallower dish.
- Built-in crimping: crimping may seem like a purely aesthetic element of pies, which is true to an extent. However, a decent crimp around the edges of your pie will also keep it intact when serving, while also allowing for those golden-brown crusted edges.
- Non-stick: avoid your pie falling apart upon serving with a non-stick pan. While lining a pan with butter or oil will certainly help a tad with dislodging the pie, it won’t prevent thinner parts of the pastry from sticking to the bottom of the pan unless it’s been treated with a non-stick coating.
Without further ado, keep scrolling for a round-up of the best pie makers available in the UK.
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Schallen SCH1031 Pie Maker
The very same pie maker used by Mathew Pritchard, otherwise known as the ‘Dirty Vegan’, this pie maker is available as both a double and a single contraption. Equipped with a non-stick coating and a deep-fill size, this option also comes with a brilliant double-sided pie cutter for the perfect pie every single time.
Buy now £34.99, Amazon
Salter EK4082 Double Pie Maker
Another deep-fill, double pie option from Salter, this model may not come with a handy pie cutter, but it is certainly capable of producing two hefty pies at a time thanks to its 9x7cm pie holes.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Quest 35970 Double Deep Fill Pie Maker
The Quest double pie maker is the perfect in-between option for chefs who will likely oscillate between cooking savoury and sweet pies. Neither too deep for a mince pie nor too shallow for a warming pork pie, this non-stick option serves as a brilliant middle ground.
Buy now £23.88, Amazon
Giles & Posner EK4914 Mini Pie Maker
This cherry red single pie option by Giles & Posner is an incredibly handy and compact option for smaller households. Featuring built-in crimping and cool touch handles for easy pie manoeuvring – you simply can’t go wrong.
Buy now £20.67, Amazon
Christmas Cookie Moulds Hand Pie Maker
We know, these moulds most definitely do not constitute as pie makers. However, they serve as a brilliant low-maintenance festive kitchen accessory for creating beautifully warming, sweet pies to treat your guests to over the holiday period.
Buy now £6.99, Amazon
Lakeland 6 hole Pie Maker in Red
The kitchen gadget every host with the most needs, a six-hole pie maker will make all of your festive dinner parties an absolute breeze. Featuring a compact design, cool-touch handles and a non-stick coating, you’ll also get a three-year guarantee when purchasing from Lakeland.
Buy now £39.99, Lakeland
Progress Taste The World Double Deep Pie Maker
Thanks to the handy ‘power-on’ and ‘ready’ light indicators on this non-stick coated double pie maker, you won’t have to wait around for the smell of burnt butter to know that it’s time to get cooking.
Buy now £28.00, Argos
Verdict
For unbeatably perfect pies every time, look no further than the Dirty Vegan-approved Schallen SCH1031 Pie Maker.
