Abstract: A holder is provided for holding a pan or other article during the process of applying a coating, such as a non-stick release coating, to the article's surface. The pan holder includes a pan holding member for holding the pan in position on the pan holder, and a pan holder chuck attached to the pan holding member. The holding member may include a bottom support piece and a plurality of pan support rods extending from the bottom support piece. At least one of the support rods is preferably movable and biased in an inward radial direction for holding the pan in position against the other support roads. The movable support rod may also include therefor for engaging a handle stud extending from a pan. The pan holder chuck includes a downward extending shaft for mounting the pan holder on a conveyor chain in a chain-on-edge spray line, and a pulley adapted to be engaged by a drive belt for rotating the pan holder while a coating material is sprayed onto an article held by the pan holder.