Reliable bakeware is not a luxury, it is the quiet backbone of every good bake. When trays stay flat, tins heat evenly, and surfaces release with ease, recipes work first time. That is why Mermaid Bakeware, made by Samuel Groves in Birmingham, has earned the trust of home cooks and professionals alike. It brings together British craft, durable materials, and designs that serve you for life.
Samuel Groves began in Birmingham, a city shaped by skilled manufacturing. From those roots came Mermaid bakeware, known for strength, even heat, and surfaces that become naturally non-stick with use. If you want gear that performs week after week, and year after year, these pieces deliver.
If you just a little oil (say for roasting potatoes), just wrap and bin it in kitchen roll. For more oil, use a cooking oil recycling bin and have it collected for recycling (ask your council). Also never pour cream liqueurs down drains.
Never give leftover roasties to pets, garden birds or wildfowl, due to salt (fat can also smear on feathers, affecting waterproof and insulation). For baking bread/pastry, keep fresh dough and other ingredients away from pets. Read our post on food safety for people and pets.
This non-stick bakeware is free from PFOA (a chemical that ends up in oceans). But all cooking fumes are dangerous around birds. Caged birds are happier in outdoor aviaries anyway, to fly and enjoy company of other birds.
Mermaid Bakeware’s Birmingham Heritage
Birmingham has long been a home for makers. Metalwork, precision engineering, and hands-on skill built the city’s name. Samuel Groves grew from this culture, and that heritage lives on in Mermaid bakeware.
The company’s promise is clear, all Samuel Groves manufactured products carry a lifetime guarantee. Buy once, then cook without worry. That confidence rests on materials that last, like hard anodised and silver anodised aluminium, and on methods that keep trays flat in the heat and surfaces smooth over time.
Birmingham’s industrial past shaped the modern approach to design. The aim is consistent results, simple care, and strength under stress. You can see it in details that matter, corners that do not twist, bases that sit level, and finishes that do not peel or rust. This is not fashion-led cookware. It is built for work.
From Local Workshops to Global Trust
What began in Birmingham’s workshops has grown into a name respected far beyond the city. The path was steady, not rushed. Skilled teams refined each process, from selecting premium aluminium to perfecting anodising techniques that harden the surface and improve heat flow.
Each piece passes through many hands. Artisans check the form, finish, and feel before it leaves the factory. That care protects the reputation earned over years of service in real kitchens. Mermaid is not just well-known, it is well-used, from small bakeries to family homes.
Local expertise plays a key role. The anodising processes used on Mermaid bakeware draw on knowledge built in the region, where engineering standards are high and attention to detail is part of the culture. That is how the brand turned local craft into global trust.
Why Birmingham Craftsmanship Matters Today
Birmingham’s legacy shapes how Mermaid bakeware is made now. The focus stays on long-term use, repeatable quality, and responsible production. Keeping manufacturing close helps maintain standards, reduce waste in transit, and support skilled jobs.
This heritage shows in practical pieces. The bun tin that turns out neat mince pies, the baking tray that resists warping under heat, the flan tin with clean edges and reliable release. These are tools built to work hard without wearing out.
Ethical methods and durability go hand in hand. A product that lasts longer is better for your wallet, and kinder to the planet. When a tray serves you for decades, you waste less and bake more.
Key Features of Mermaid Bakeware
Mermaid offers two main aluminium finishes, hard anodised and silver anodised. Both use high-grade aluminium, which spreads heat quickly and evenly. The difference lies in surface treatment and feel.
Hard anodised pieces have a darker, tougher finish. They are known for strength under high heat and resistance to twisting. With proper use, they build a natural patina that behaves like non-stick, without a coating that can peel.
Silver anodised pieces have a lighter finish and a smooth, easy-release surface from day one. They do not leach, peel, or rust, and they clean up fast. They also develop a patina over time, which enhances release across bakes.
Look at the range and you will find proof in use. A silver anodised bun tin that lifts out mince pies with clean edges. A robust baking tray that handles repeated roasts without buckling. Both lines bring even heat, so you get crisp bases, not burnt corners.
Tip for best results, let the natural patina form. Use a little fat, avoid harsh scouring, and follow the brand’s use and care guide. Over time, the surface gets better, not worse.
Hard Anodised: Tough and Reliable Performance
Hard anodised aluminium is built to take the heat. The treated surface is incredibly strong and resists warping, even at high oven temperatures. That means your tray stays flat, so pastries bake evenly and juices do not pool.
Heat conductivity is a key advantage. The metal spreads warmth quickly and evenly, which helps achieve consistent browning. Biscuits come out uniform, and veggie roasts cook through without hot spots.
With regular use, a natural patina forms. This thin layer acts like a non-stick surface and improves release. To support that process, follow simple care habits inspired by the use and care guidance:
- Start with light seasoning on first few bakes.
- Avoid sharp metal tools at the start.
- Hand wash with warm water, then dry thoroughly.
These steps protect the surface and help it improve over time.
Silver Anodised: Easy Clean and Rust-Free
Silver anodised aluminium offers a smooth, easy-release surface from the first bake. It is simple to clean, does not peel, and will not rust. There is no leaching, so flavours stay true, batch after batch.
The metal still delivers excellent heat transfer. Cakes rise evenly, tart shells bake through, and flan tins set neat edges without sticking. The light finish helps you judge colour as bakes progress, which is useful for pastries.
Versatility is a strength. Use a silver anodised baking tray for weeknight vegetables. Clean-up is quick, which suits daily cooking. As with hard anodised, a natural patina builds with use, enhancing the release qualities without synthetic coatings.
Practical Benefits for Your Kitchen
Mermaid bakeware fits busy kitchens. It is designed for varied recipes, from biscuits to veggie roasts, and it holds up to frequent use. Whether you are prepping for a bake sale or roasting Sunday lunch, you can trust the trays and tins to perform.
The lifetime guarantee on Samuel Groves manufactured products adds peace of mind. You pay once, then rely on the gear to do its job for years. Many users praise the consistent quality, which is the result of careful manufacturing and durable finishes that do not fail under heat.
Confidence in the oven changes how you cook. When you do not fight sticking, warping, or burnt edges, you bake more often and waste less food. That is the quiet value of well-made tools.
Versatile Tools for Every Bake
- Baking trays: Ideal for cookies, roasted veg, or sheet bakes. Even heat reduces burnt edges and pale centres.
- Bun tins: Great for vegan mince pies, Yorkshire puddings, or mini tarts. The rigid form keeps shape and lifts out cleanly.
- Flan tins: Crisp pastry, even colour, tidy slices. The anodised finish supports delicate releases.
Each piece is Birmingham-made, so it is ready for frequent use without losing shape or surface quality.
Long-Term Value and Simple Maintenance
- Lifetime value: The guarantee covers manufacturing defects, which supports long-term use.
- Basic care: Hand wash with mild detergent, avoid harsh abrasives, and dry promptly.
- Patina progress: A light coat of oil on early bakes helps the natural non-stick layer develop.
If you need detailed instructions, the brand’s use and care page provides guidance on best practice for daily use.
