The filling in a double-crust apple pie needs longer in the oven than the thin edge of the crust does. So the rim goes dark while the middle is still catching up. The old fix is a strip of foil, folded around a hot plate with your fingers close to the oven rack. A pie crust shield does the same job in a few seconds and goes back in the drawer afterward.
This guide covers only the shield, not the plate. Our pie dish guide covers what you bake in, and the shield has to match it, so most of the choice here comes down to fit: fixed metal ring, sliding metal or silicone, and for what size of plate. For each one we list what the maker or Amazon listing states, including heat limits that are lower than you might expect.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which crust shield to buy
For most deep pie plates, the best pie crust shield is the Mrs. Anderson’s Pie Crust Protector Shield, 10-inch: a plain aluminum ring that fits 9.5- and 10-inch plates, including fluted edges and plates with handles, and can go in the dishwasher. If your plates vary in size, the Nordic Ware Adjustable Pie Shield slides from 8 to 10 inches, though it is rated only to 400 degrees. If you want silicone that takes high heat, choose the Mrs. Anderson’s Adjustable Silicone Pie Crust Shield, rated to 500 degrees.
Five picks are compared below, and all nine are reviewed in full after the table.
Five crust shields side by side
Who each shield suits, its material, and the plates it fits with its heat limit, as each maker or listing states.
| Shield | Best for | Material | Fit and heat limit | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep 9.5- to 10-inch plates | Aluminum | 9.5 to 10 in; limit not stated | View on Amazon | |
Nordic Ware Adjustable Pie ShieldBest adjustable metal
|
Bakers with mixed plates | Aluminum | 8 to 10 in; 400°F | View on Amazon |
Mrs. Anderson’s Adjustable Silicone Pie Crust ShieldBest silicone
|
Hot ovens, soft silicone | Silicone, 4 sections | 9 to 10 in; 500°F | View on Amazon |
Norpro Aluminum Pie Crust Shield, 9-inchBest for 9-inch plates
|
The standard 9-inch plate | Aluminum | 8.5 to 9 in; limit not stated | View on Amazon |
| Mini pies and pot pies | Aluminum, set of 2 | Up to 5 in; limit not stated | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best pie crust shield
They run from the plate sizes most home bakers own to the small ones and the oversized ones. The first number to check is your plate, measured across the top from outer rim to outer rim.
1. Mrs. Anderson’s Pie Crust Protector Shield, 10-inch – A Simple Ring for Deep Plates
This is the plain tool most people mean by a crust shield: a one-piece aluminum ring, 11.5 inches across and half an inch high. It sits on the rim, covering the crust and leaving the middle open so the filling keeps browning. The listing says it fits 9.5- and 10-inch plates and works with fluted edges and dishes with carrying handles, which covers a lot of the plates home bakers own.
With no pieces to join, there is nothing to adjust and nothing to lose. You lift it on with mitts and it stays where you set it. It can go in the dishwasher, according to the listing. The maker also names blind baking among its uses, so it can shield an empty crust.
The only real limit is size. It is a fixed ring, so a smaller plate will not sit properly. If you bake in an 8-inch plate, the same maker sells a smaller ring, or you can use an adjustable shield.
Why we like it
- One-piece aluminum ring with nothing to assemble
- Fits 9.5- and 10-inch plates, per the listing
- Listed for fluted edges and handled dishes
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 109 |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum |
| Style | Fixed ring |
| Fits | 9.5- and 10-inch plates |
| Size | 11.5 x 11.5 x 0.5 in |
| Heat limit | Not stated |
| Count | 1 |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who bakes mostly in one deep plate and wants the least fuss. A fixed ring is fast to put on and takes up little drawer space.
Skip it if your plates are 9 inches or smaller, because a fixed ring only works at its stated size.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very simple to use
- Handles fluted rims, per the listing
- Goes in the dishwasher
Cons
- One size only
- Heat limit not stated
- Metal gets hot, so use mitts
2. Nordic Ware Adjustable Pie Shield – Slides to Fit 8 to 10 Inches
Nordic Ware’s shield is aluminum, like the fixed rings, but built with a sliding design that adjusts to pies from 8 to 10 inches. One tool can cover a shallow 8-inch plate at Thanksgiving and a 10-inch deep dish the next week, which is the main reason to choose it.
Read the heat limit before you buy. Nordic Ware lists it as heat resistant to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Many pies are baked at or below that, but plenty of recipes start hotter. If yours starts at 425 degrees, wait until the oven comes down before putting this on, or use a shield rated higher.
The listing is short. It does not give a care line, so we would wash it by hand. The warranty field reads 10 years, a long term for a small baking tool. The listing also describes the shield as globally sourced, so don’t assume it is US-made.
Why we like it
- Sliding design adjusts from 8 to 10 inches
- Aluminum, per the listing
- 10-year warranty in the listing’s warranty field
- One tool for several plate sizes
Key specifications
| Model | 01158 |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum |
| Style | Sliding, adjustable |
| Fits | Pies from 8 to 10 inches |
| Size | Not stated |
| Heat limit | 400°F |
| Count | 1 |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits a baker with a mix of plates who would rather own one metal shield than three, and who bakes at moderate temperatures.
Skip it if your recipes begin above 400 degrees, unless you are happy to add it once the oven has been turned down.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fits a range of plates
- Metal, not silicone
- Long warranty field
Cons
- Lowest stated heat limit here
- Care not stated
- Sliding parts take more cleaning than a plain ring
3. Mrs. Anderson’s Adjustable Silicone Pie Crust Shield – Four Sections Rated to 500 Degrees
This shield is not a ring at all. It is four silicone sections, each 7.75 by 1.5 inches, that you lay around the edge one at a time, overlapping as you go. Because you set the overlap yourself, the listing says it adapts to both 9- and 10-inch plates.
The stated rating is the highest on this page: oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, along with freezer, microwave and dishwasher. That makes it the one to use when a recipe starts in a very hot oven. You still want mitts when the pie is hot.
Sections do have a downside. There are four pieces to find and to place on a hot pie if you add them partway through the bake, so this works best when you set them on before the pie goes in. Some buyer comments on silicone shields in general mention pieces shifting, so check that each section sits flat.
Why we like it
- Rated to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, per the listing
- Four interlocking sections for a custom fit
- Freezer, oven, microwave and dishwasher safe
- Non-stick silicone surface, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 43665 |
|---|---|
| Material | Food-safe silicone |
| Style | 4 overlapping sections |
| Fits | 9- and 10-inch plates |
| Size | Each 7.75 x 1.5 x 0.25 in |
| Heat limit | 500°F |
| Count | 4 sections |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits bakers who start pies very hot, and anyone who prefers silicone to thin metal. It also stores flat in a drawer.
Skip it if you usually add your shield midway through the bake, as laying four pieces around a hot pie takes longer than dropping on a ring.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Highest stated heat limit here
- Adjusts by overlap
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Four pieces to keep together
- Slower to place on a hot pie
- Only stated for 9- and 10-inch plates
4. Norpro Aluminum Pie Crust Shield, 9-inch – A Ring for the Standard Plate
Plenty of pie plates are a standard 9 inches, and a ring made for 10-inch plates will not sit well on them. Norpro’s aluminum shield is sized for pies from 8.5 to 9 inches, and the listing gives its size as 9.25 by 8.25 by 0.5 inches.
Norpro’s instructions differ from the common advice of adding a shield partway through. It says to place the shield on top of the crust before baking and leave it on throughout. That helps if you don’t want to handle a hot pie, but a crust covered the entire time may end up paler at the rim. Follow your recipe, and take it off for the last few minutes if you want more color.
Norpro recommends hand washing. It is an easy job on a ring this simple, but it is a small difference from the Mrs. Anderson’s ring, which can go in the dishwasher.
Why we like it
- Sized for pies from 8.5 to 9 inches
- Made of aluminum, per the listing
- Reusable, replacing foil
- Maker’s directions are simple: on before baking
Key specifications
| Model | 3276 |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum |
| Style | Fixed ring |
| Fits | 8.5- to 9-inch pies |
| Size | 9.25 x 8.25 x 0.5 in |
| Heat limit | Not stated |
| Count | 1 |
| Care | Hand wash recommended |
Why we recommend it
It suits a kitchen where the pie plate is the common 9-inch size and the baker wants a plain ring in the right size.
Skip it if your plates are 9.5 inches and up. Norpro sells a separate 10-inch size for those.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Right size for standard plates
- One piece
- Simple directions from the maker
Cons
- Hand washing recommended
- Fits a narrow range
- Heat limit not stated
5. Norpro Silicone Pie Crust Shield, Pack of 2 – Two Shields for Holiday Baking
If you bake pies in pairs, a two-pack is the easy answer. Each Norpro silicone shield fits pies up to 10 inches in diameter, and the listing rates them as heat safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and dishwasher safe.
Norpro makes them from food-grade silicone and says they won’t stain or absorb odors, which matters when one week’s pie is pumpkin and the next week’s is a savory pot pie. They are a good match for two different pies in the same oven, as long as both fit under the 10-inch limit.
The listing does not give the exact dimensions or the minimum plate size, so we would check the fit on your smallest plate when they arrive. This listing is sold by a third-party seller, Handy Housewares, rather than Amazon, so check return terms on the page.
Why we like it
- Two shields in one pack
- Heat safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, per the listing
- Fits pies up to 10 inches
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Material | Food-grade silicone |
| Style | Ring |
| Fits | Up to 10-inch pies |
| Size | Not stated |
| Heat limit | 450°F |
| Count | 2 |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits holiday bakers who always make more than one pie, and who want a soft shield that can go straight in the dishwasher.
Skip it if you need the exact fit stated before you buy, since this listing gives only the upper limit.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two for the same oven
- Dishwasher safe
- Won’t stain or absorb odors, per the maker
Cons
- Dimensions not stated
- Third-party seller
- Minimum plate size not given
6. R&M Nonstick Pie Crust Shield – A Coated Ring That Wipes Clean
A filling that bubbles up onto a bare ring can stick on hard. R&M’s answer is a nonstick ring with a total diameter of 10 inches and about 1.5 inches of crust protection. The title says it fits 9- and 10-inch pie pans.
It is safe to 440 degrees Fahrenheit and dishwasher safe, according to the listing, and it comes with a recipe and care instructions. That heat rating sits in the useful middle: higher than the Nordic Ware shield, lower than the best silicone here.
The listing doesn’t name the base material or the coating. Treat it like any nonstick item: no metal scouring, and replace it if the coating starts to flake.
Why we like it
- Nonstick surface, per the listing
- Safe to 440 degrees Fahrenheit
- About 1.5 inches of crust protection
- Oven and dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 2739 |
|---|---|
| Material | Not stated; nonstick |
| Style | Fixed ring |
| Fits | 9- and 10-inch pans |
| Size | 10.38 x 10.38 x 0.25 in |
| Heat limit | 440°F |
| Count | 1 |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits bakers of fruit pies, whose fillings bubble over, and anyone who has spent time scrubbing burned juice off a ring.
Skip it if you want to know exactly what the coating is, because this listing does not say.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nonstick for sticky juices
- Stated heat limit
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Base material and coating not stated
- Fixed size
- Coatings can wear with time
7. Mrs. Anderson’s Individual Pie Crust Protector Shields, Set of 2 – For Mini Pies and Pot Pies
Small pies scorch at the rim just as big ones do, and it is harder to fold foil around a 5-inch plate. These aluminum rings come in a set of two, each 5.25 inches square, and fit plates up to 5 inches.
The listing names mini frozen pies, pot pies, tarts and quiche, and says they work with ramekins and small baking dishes with fluted edges or tabs. That makes them useful for savory baking as well, such as a small chicken pot pie with a thick top crust.
Two is not many if you bake a tray of minis. If you make a full batch, the Norpro set below has four. These are dishwasher safe, according to the listing.
Why we like it
- Fits plates up to 5 inches
- Listed for mini pies, pot pies and ramekins
- Set of two aluminum rings
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 22024 |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum |
| Style | Fixed ring |
| Fits | Plates up to 5 inches |
| Size | Each 5.25 x 5.25 x 0.5 in |
| Heat limit | Not stated |
| Count | 2 |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits a one- or two-person household where a small pot pie or mini fruit pie is the usual bake.
Skip it if you bake more than two small pies at once, because you will need to buy a second set.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sized for very small plates
- Works with ramekins, per the listing
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Only two rings
- Heat limit not stated
- Too small for 6-inch plates
8. Norpro Silicone Mini Pie Pan Shields, Set of 4 – A Full Batch of 6-Inch Pies
This set covers the slightly larger minis. The four silicone rings each measure 6.25 inches and are stated to fit mini pie pans from 5 to 6 inches, including pot pie tins and tartlet dishes.
The listing rates them to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and calls the silicone 100 percent food-safe and BPA-free. They are dishwasher safe and store flat in a drawer, according to the listing, and a pie recipe comes in the box.
Check your pan size first. Mini pans vary, and a shield that is too big for a 4.5-inch tin won’t protect anything.
Why we like it
- Four rings in one set
- Fits 5- to 6-inch mini pans
- Heat resistant to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Stores flat, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 3280 |
|---|---|
| Material | Food-safe silicone |
| Style | Ring |
| Fits | 5- to 6-inch mini pans |
| Size | Each 6.25 x 6.25 in |
| Heat limit | 450°F |
| Count | 4 |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits bakers making a batch of hand-sized pies for a bake sale, a family gathering or the freezer.
Skip it if your mini plates are under 5 inches, as the Mrs. Anderson’s set is the better fit for those.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Four shields cover a batch
- Stated size range
- Flexible and easy to store
Cons
- Mini sizes only
- Silicone is floppy to lift when hot
- Too large for very small tins
9. Antenda Adjustable Silicone Pie Crust Shields, 2-Pack – Reaches the Largest Plates Here
Most shields here stop at 10 inches. Antenda’s silicone rings adjust from 8 to 11.4 inches by sliding a lock into a notch, the widest range on this page. It is the one to look at if you own an unusually wide plate or a ceramic dish with a broad rim.
The listing rates it to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and says it can go in the dishwasher, oven and microwave. It comes in a pack of two. Antenda is an Amazon-first brand with little published about it, so this pick rests on the listing’s details rather than a long maker history.
Notch-and-lock shields can loosen. Some buyer comments on adjustable silicone rings in general mention this, so close the lock firmly and check it before the pie goes in.
Why we like it
- Adjusts from 8 to 11.4 inches, per the listing
- Rated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
- Pack of two
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | PieRed-2P |
|---|---|
| Material | Silicone |
| Style | Adjustable ring |
| Fits | 8- to 11.4-inch pies |
| Size | Not stated beyond the range |
| Heat limit | 450°F |
| Count | 2 |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits a baker with oversized or unusual plates that the fixed rings on this page won’t fit.
Skip it if you prefer a brand with a longer record, or your plates are a normal size and a plain ring would do.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Widest stated range here
- Two in a pack
- Stated heat limit
Cons
- Amazon-first brand
- Lock may loosen
- Third-party seller
How to choose a crust shield for your plate
1. Measure the plate, not the label
Measure across the top from the outer rim to the outer rim. Crust shields sit on the rim, and the size printed on a plate does not always tell you how wide that rim is. If your measurement falls outside the stated range, the shield will either fall in or perch on top. Our pie dish guide gives plate sizes if you are buying both.
2. Fixed ring, slider or sections
A fixed ring is the quickest to use and has nothing to come apart. A slider covers several sizes in metal, while silicone rings and sections adjust by a notch or by overlap. Choose by how many plates you own: one plate means one fixed ring, while a mix means something adjustable.
3. The heat limit
This varies more than you might expect. Among the shields that state a figure, Nordic Ware’s is 400 degrees, R&M’s is 440, the Norpro and Antenda silicone shields are 450, and the Mrs. Anderson’s silicone is 500. The plain aluminum rings don’t give a figure. If your recipe opens at 425 degrees and you want the shield on from the start, that rules out the Nordic Ware.
4. When you put it on
Decide this before you choose. Some recipes want the shield on from the start, and Norpro’s directions for its aluminum ring say the same. Others wait until the edge has colored. For the second way, a one-piece ring is far easier to drop onto a hot pie. Silicone sections are better placed before the pie goes in.
5. Cleanup and storage
Fruit juice is what makes these messy. Most of the shields here are listed as dishwasher safe, but Norpro recommends hand washing for its aluminum ring. Silicone lies flat in a drawer. Thin metal rings can bend under heavy pans, so keep them on top of the pile. If your crust trouble is shrinkage rather than burning, pie weights are the tool for that instead.
How we picked these nine shields
We looked for shields sold for pies on Amazon in the United States, in stock when we checked, from identifiable makers, with at most two Amazon-first brands. All sizes, heat limits and care lines come from the makers’ Amazon listings. We searched for independent side-by-side tests and turned up mostly retailer pages and affiliate lists, not a comparison we would rely on, so this list rests on stated details and on what each design does. Buyer comments we saw on retailer pages gave a general picture of silicone being easier to handle and metal being sturdier, and we use them only in that general way.
We left out Fox Run’s one-piece shield because it was not in stock, and a long list of near-identical silicone rings from sellers with little behind the name. We have not baked with these ourselves. A search of the CPSC recall database by brand listed no recall for these shields.
Pie crust shield questions, answered
Is a silicone pie crust protector better than a metal one?
Neither wins every time. Silicone shields here state a clear heat limit, up to 500 degrees on our silicone pick, and they store flat. A one-piece metal ring is faster to place on a hot pie and has no sections to come loose. Choose silicone if you set the shield before baking, and metal if you add it partway through.
When should you put on a pie crust shield?
Follow the recipe. Norpro’s directions say to place its aluminum shield on before baking and leave it on throughout. Many recipes instead wait until the edge is golden. If the rim is browning faster than the filling is setting, that is the moment to put on a shield, whatever the recipe’s timing.
Do you grease a pie crust shield?
None of the listings here asks for it. The shield rests on the crust rather than baking into it. If your filling tends to bubble onto the rim, the R&M nonstick ring or a silicone shield is the easier cleanup.
Can a pie crust shield go in the dishwasher?
Many can. Listings for the Mrs. Anderson’s rings and silicone sections, the R&M, the Norpro silicone shields and the Antenda all say dishwasher safe. Norpro recommends hand washing for its aluminum rings, and Nordic Ware’s listing gives no care line.
Will a crust shield work on a tart or quiche?
Mrs. Anderson’s lists quiche and tarts among its uses for its rings. Tart pans have straight sides, so check that the rim is wide enough for the ring to sit on. The mini rings also work on some ramekins, according to the Mrs. Anderson’s listing.
Our final pick for a golden edge
Buy the Mrs. Anderson’s 10-inch ring if you bake in one deep plate, and the Norpro 9-inch if yours is the standard size. Choose the Nordic Ware if your plates vary and your oven stays at 400 degrees or under, and the Mrs. Anderson’s silicone sections if it runs hotter. Rolling out your own crust? Start with the best rolling pin, and see our pie dish guide for the plate itself.
And if there is no time to bake tonight, see the menu or call to order.