Ceramic forms for baking: advantages, disadvantages and recommendations for choosing

Modern manufacturers make a huge amount of kitchen utensils, which differ in size, purpose, price range and material of manufacture. Each housewife can choose those kitchen utensils that are necessary for her. A wide range and oversaturation of the market of kitchen accessories often complicates the selection of inexperienced housewives and often leads to the acquisition of unnecessary things, the choice of which is based only on their aesthetic appeal.

Professional chefs recommend paying attention to ceramic dishes. Clay baking molds will become indispensable helpers in the process of preparing tasty and healthy food.

Ceramic baking dish is earthenware, which has been popular for hundreds of years. Innovative technologies and modern equipment allowed manufacturers to improve fragile and short-lived clay containers and produce reliable and fashionable ceramic forms that will delight the hostess for years. Due to the special firing technology, which provides for the treatment of the product with a low temperature, dishes acquire increased strength, thermal stability and retains a porous structure.

To protect dishes from grease, moisture and dirt, the inner surface of the forms is covered with a special protective glazed layer. Glazed surface also performs the function of non-stick coating. Glaze - fusible glass composition, which cover the inner and outer surface of the form. To fix the glaze, the products are fired at very high temperatures in special ovens.

As with any kitchenware, ceramic forms for the oven have their pros and cons. Advantages:

• universality;
• environmental Safety;
• wide range of;
• the presence of heat-resistant protective layer;
• high antiallergic indicators;
• the absence of toxic secretions and fumes;
• uniform heating of the entire surface without burnt areas;
• maximum preservation of all vitamins and microelements;
• high aesthetic performance and the ability to serve food directly in a ceramic container;
• maximum preservation of the taste of products;
• the ability to cook without fat and vegetable oil;
• prolonged heat retention;
• high resistance to low temperatures;
• lack of chemical reaction with products.

Disadvantages:

• intolerance to sharp temperature fluctuations;
• the need for thorough removal of all food residues;
• long cooking period;
• big weight;
• fragility.

Some housewives use ceramic containers for storing cereals. This trick allows you to protect your supplies from damage and the appearance of insects in them.

Particular attention should be paid to terracotta ceramic pottery, which is made of red clay.

These forms not only have all the features of clay products, but also remove toxic substances from the body, and also prevent the development of dangerous diseases. Cooking vegetables, meat and fish dishes in these containers is possible without the use of vegetable oil and animal fat.

On the shelves of modern stores you can see a wide range of containers for baking, which can differ in both shape and size. Experts identify several of the most popular types of ceramic products.

• Pots - small containers whose volume does not exceed 500 ml. This type of cookware is used for baking and stewing dishes while serving them in the dish.
• Casserole - containers that are made in the form of various figures of animals and birds. Included with the dishes can go lids.
• Cocottes - small pots with long handles, which are used for poultry, crabs, as well as mushroom and vegetable dishes.
• Fondue - capacity for cooking desserts with chocolate and fruit. An integral part of the set - forks and saucers.

Classical dishes for the preparation of sweet pastries, as well as vegetable and meat casseroles can be both rectangular and round in shape and have both small and large size.

Extend the life of the dishes will help not only the rules of their operation and storage, but also the rules for choosing a product when buying. Only high-quality kitchen items can last more than a dozen years. High quality forms should have the following features:

• the presence of a white glazed layer from the inside and outside;
• lack of cracks, spider web chips;
• absence of hillocks and hollows.

The type of the planned dish has a direct influence on the choice of the form for baking and its appearance:

• pies and sweet pastries - low sides and the presence of the handle;
• cupcakes - a corrugated surface of sides;
• meat, vegetables and fish - deep containers of various shapes with lids;
• biscuits and soufflé - round shapes with high sides;
• yeast and sand cakes - round shapes with thick and low sides;
• lasagna and casseroles - low rectangular shapes;
• cupcakes and baskets - special small molds.

The list of parameters that must be considered when purchasing a form:

• shape, thickness and height;
• permissible temperature range;
• lifetime of warranty card;
• the size and dimensions of the oven;
• production material;
• appointment;
• cost;
• equipment;
• country of manufacture and brand.

Ceramic forms are universal containers that can be used both in an electric and gas oven and in a microwave, but in order for the dishes to last for more than a dozen years, you must learn how to use it properly.

To prevent the deformation of products and the appearance of cracks, experts recommend Avoid sharp temperature fluctuations, and the temperature level should be brought to the required level very slowly, trying to avoid sharp heat. It is strictly prohibited to place containers on gas burners with an open fire, as well as on electric and induction cookers.

After complete removal of moisture, experts recommend that the inner walls of the form be lubricated with vegetable oil and calcined in the oven. This trick will greatly enhance anti-burn properties.To increase the strength of the new product, experienced housewives recommend boiling it in clean water with the addition of a small amount of salt and vinegar.

In order for the cooked dish to have high taste and aroma, professional chefs recommend putting it in water for a few minutes before using the form. This procedure will allow water to fill the pores, thereby preserving the juiciness of the dish.

The porous structure not only absorbs water, but also the aroma of old dishes, which, with poor-quality care, can be transferred to a new dish.

To remove dirt It is undesirable to use chemical detergents, it is better to use natural compounds. The most effective cleaning agent is a mixture of soda and mustard, well removes food debris, fine river sand and wood ash. It is strictly forbidden to scrub dirt with metal brushes and brushes, which lead to scratches on the glazed surface.

Experienced housewives do not recommend washing products in dishwashers that can damage containers.

Basic rules for the use of these forms:

• placing the container in a warm oven;
• eliminating the contact of dishes with the walls of the oven and heating devices;
• elimination of the contact of hot dishes with cold ingredients of the dish;
• installation of a hot mold only on a warm surface;
• use only non-aggressive creamy detergents.

To speed up the cooking, experts recommend putting semi-finished components in shape and pouring boiling water over them. If you need to feed a large number of guests, it is better to distribute all the ingredients in small portioned pots, the food in which will be cooked much faster.

Experienced housewives do not recommend to cover the dishes with lidswhich impede the movement of air and can cause unpleasant odors. In order to get rid of musty aroma, it is necessary to wash the product with warm water with vinegar and salt. It is strictly forbidden to drop fragile containers and knock on them with metal objects.

If, however, it was not possible to avoid cracks and scratches, experienced housewives advise not to rush to throw out the form, but try to solve the problem yourself. To close the cracks will help a mixture of clay, brick powder and varnish or sugar syrup, which must be poured into the place of damage.

Famous trademarks in the instructions for their product indicate detailed instructions for the care, use and storage of ceramic containers, which must be carefully read and strictly followed.

The high level of employment of modern women often does not allow them to pay much attention to cooking. But, despite the lack of sufficient time, each housewife wants to please her household with a tasty and healthy breakfast, which can be prepared by ceramic forms for baking in the oven. The keeper of the home hearth should simply put all the purchased ingredients into the container and put the dish in the oven for the required amount of time. However, before operating these devicesYou should carefully study the instructions for using and storing ceramics, which will significantly extend the life of your favorite kitchen appliances.

On what form for baking to choose, see below.