Silicone baking mats: how to choose and use?

Silicone baking mat is a novelty kitchen, which has received particular popularity among culinary specialists. Surely you are faced with situations where, it would seem, everything has already happened, and it is not possible to get baking out of the form without violating its integrity.

Such kitchenware, as a rug made of silicone, is designed to solve the above problem.

Silicone baking mat is a modern and productive thing. Unfortunately, many housewives, like cooks, question his safety. Indeed, unscrupulous manufacturers can produce such products with the addition of harmful substances that can harm health.

It does not stick raw dough and cooked products. The non-stick layer provides protection for the dishes, products do not stick during cooking.

Such equipment for baking in the oven is inert, that is, it does not react with other ingredients and, most importantly, does not emit dangerous toxic substances. It is worth noting that The production of silicone cookware is a high-tech process with stringent requirements. It is made of quartz sand and is a rubber of non-natural origin.

The material must be heat resistant to withstand the temperature difference from - 40 to + 230 degrees, not cause allergies.

Every year, siliconeware is becoming more and more settled in our kitchen.

Many housewives still put on the scales all the pros and cons. Innovative development does not inspire confidence in everyone.

We will understand the merits of silicone mats.

• Gives the chance to reduce the use of oil and fat in food to a minimum.
• Food grade silicone is absolutely not harmful to health.
• Resistant to deformation, non-corrosive.
• Baking, meat, fish evenly baked.
• Does not absorb odors, without fear can be used for various ingredients.
• The product is universal. You can not only bake, but also roll out the dough.
• Does not require special skills to maintain.
• Soft material is easy to store.
• Durable. Use multiple, up to several hundred times.
• Attractive price.

As for the shortcomings, they are almost nonexistent.

Note some weak points.

• Does not maintain temperature above 240 degrees.
• When heated, it keeps bad shape. Allow to cool slightly before getting out of the oven.
• Not suitable for cooking on electric and gas stoves.

The modern tableware market is replete with its diversity. Flexible utensils are much more expensive than metal, but they are not stale on the shelves in stores.

Flight of fantasy is unlimited. Although a couple of years ago they were used exclusively by professional chefs. A useful addition to the product is a markup rug.

Functional device to cut out the shape of the desired size.

It can be circles of different diameters or a ruler on different sides of the sheet in centimeters and millimeters.

Due to the low edges, the dough does not leak, and the finished cake can be greased with cream or jam and rolled into a roll.

Perforation provides high-quality cooking. Micro-perforated mats better allow hot air to pass through. They make good cakes, bread, biscuits, pizza.

But it is absolutely not suitable for batter, jellied pies, charlottes, meringues.

High strength is achieved by a special glass fiber, which is covered with it.

Able to withstand temperatures from -60 to +250 degrees. Still flexible, but more economical.

This option is presented to cook utensils in separate sections, which allows you to make figure cookies or beautiful meringues neat.

Thanks to the grooves, it is convenient to pour dough, keeping one distance.

For heat-resistant mats include silicone baking, suitable for roasting meat, fish, vegetable dishes.

When cooking, the resulting fat does not come into contact with food, so the food is less calorie.

The relief of the pan improves air exchange, the products are evenly baked.

Most cooks are convinced that you can cook a culinary masterpiece in anything. However, it is possible to implement this in a short time and without risks only with the use of high-quality and harmless dishes.

Often we buy kitchen items chaotically, without looking. Rough purchases are pushing us sales. Let's try to understand the leading manufacturers of silicone mats.

The world leader specializing in the creation of confectionery and bakery products, as well as equipment for the production of ice cream. The company produces more than 7 thousand items, including about 100 silicone baking elements. Products are popular among professional bakers and confectioners, and among home baking lovers.

First, the company produced plastic containers for the bakery industry. Later, having expanded their range, they began to produce attributes and additional equipment for bakers and confectioners.

The main products are silicone mats and baking molds, tartlets, chocolate crystallisation and so on.

The product line of the brand is represented by unusual silicone substrates and baking tins, luxurious utensils made of durable metal, comfortable aluminum and cast iron pans.

Takes into account the manufacturer and price level of consumers, providing for the division of commodity groups by cost and technical characteristics.

International brand specializing in the production of appliances for the home and dishes with non-stick coating.

In the production line, mats and silicone baking dishes, ceramics, and carbon steel dishes occupy a special place.

One of the most reputable global manufacturers of polymer substrates and premium forms.

Products are created on the basis of fiberglass and food-grade silicone, allowing to withstand a long service life and significant temperature differences.

Manufacturers of these products are located in China. Despite the skepticism about the quality of goods from China, the silicone substrate meets the high technological requirements.

Pyramid Pan is a novelty that allows harmful substances and fat not to remain in the products during cooking.

Constantly developing company engaged in the development of unusual and inexpensive consumer goods designed to create the life of everyone easier and more comfortable.

Silicone sheet "Baker" is designed not only for baking, kneading dough, but also for freezing and preserving semi-finished products in the freezer.

Today, in the hardware stores there are various models of silicone substrates for baking. In such a variety can be lost.

Therefore, the basis should be only high-quality raw materials.

Consider the primary nuances to which you should pay attention when choosing a sheet for baking.

• Decide on the goal, evaluate your tasks and expectations in order to choose a more profitable attribute of the kitchen instance.
• When you buy do not be lazy to smell silicone mat. A sharp, unpleasant smell should alert, it is better to refuse such a thing right away.
• Be alert to too bright colors of the product. In this may be dangerous synthetic dyes.
• Marking requires close attention. It must indicate the manufacturer, its coordinates, the material from which it is made, with the obligatory symbol “for food products”, the safety class. If not, safely put it aside, most likely it is a fake.
• If possible, try to bend the sheet. There should be no white marks on the folds. Their education suggests that in silicone a lot of unnecessary impurities.
• Important parameters are shape, size and thickness. Forms are various: round, square, rectangular. The sizes are numerous. It all depends on the size of the dishes. As for the thickness, then it is better not to stint and buy a rug thicker. So you will be sure that your favorite treats will not burn.

The scope of use of the silicone substrate is not limited to baking buns, bread, cookies and cakes.

Cooked cherry dumplings wait for their turn in the freezer without sticking to the surface.

Apply in life this kitchen inventory is simple.

Kitchen options are represented by one-sided and double-sided types. The first is with two surfaces - glossy and matte.

And therefore the question arises - what side to put. The answer is simple: products should be placed on the glossy side, matte is applied to the baking sheet. The second type is more functional, it is possible to exploit both sides.

Any utensils demanding care. So she is able to serve as long as possible. Silicone mat, despite its simplicity, this is no exception. Using it incorrectly will lead to frustration.

Simple recommendations on its operation will allow you to use such an indispensable assistant in the kitchen for a long time.

• Do not cook on the product immediately after purchase, heat treatment is required. Warm it in the oven for several hours on a baking sheet at a temperature of 230 degrees.
• Put only on a smooth and hard surface (baking sheet, pan). In no case should not be laid on the oven or grill. Avoid direct fire.
• Microwaveable.
• It is not necessary to lubricate with oil a silicone mat, it has non-stick properties.
• The coating is very sensitive to any mechanical damage.Cutting or piercing on the surface is strictly prohibited. This also applies to metal brushes.
• It is desirable to wash a polymeric product without washing means, or prefer alkali-free, as this substance is capable of destroying the working surface of the material.
• As a rule, the remnants of dishes on it do not stick, it is enough to clean with a damp sponge or rinse with water. If the product is too dirty, then soak it for a short time, then dry it with a towel.
• Do not fold the sheet several times - creases are formed that render the product unusable. Keep it on roll.

In their reviews, user opinions are divided. Some have a neutral attitude towards cooking, especially in the case of pyramid baking sheets. A certain part counted them as meaningless. But in general, more positive feedback.

The baking sheet is “always ready” for operation, it does not need to be measured and straightened, lubricated. This thing - the key to delicious dishes.

Among the shortcomings, users note a slight manufacturing defect in the application of markings on sheets, which may have a difference, for example, with baking molds for cake cakes. However, they are so insignificant that they are simply omitted.

According to reviews, consumers strongly recommend that everyone purchase such an indispensable kitchen equipment, who likes to bake homemade dishes of varying complexity. This is the best option for daily use.

The fact that can be useful silicone pad for baking, you can learn from the video.