Silicone baking mats are very helpful in the kitchen. Silicone does not adhere to the raw dough and cooked products, it does not need to be oiled, it is easy to wash and store. The compact roll does not require much space in the cabinet and cannot be broken or torn. Plus, it’s very easy to clean the silicone baking mats. What is this kitchen baking tray for, how to use it correctly, and how to choose the one that is durable and practical?
Culinary silicone baking mats are made from heat-resistant silicone. The temperature range that silicone cookware can withstand is from -40 to +260 degrees. The tray can be safely put in the oven, but you have to watch out for the temperature regime.
You can appreciate all the benefits of a useful tool only if you know how to use a silicone baking tray correctly. Otherwise, disappointment cannot be avoided.
-
The silicone heat-resistant mat should only be used for baking on a hard and smooth surface.
-
In a gas oven, it is imperative to put silicone in a pan or on a metal baking sheet; you cannot put the sheet straight on the wire rack directly above the flame.
-
The surface is initially non-stick and does not need to be oiled or greased. But some recipes require pre-lubrication.
-
Silicone fixtures can be put in both cold and hot ovens.
-
Tray can be also used for microwave cooking.
-
It is undesirable to cut food on silicone, there is a risk of damaging the surface. But there are also durable types because even cutting boards for the kitchen are made of silicone. Read the product instructions before using the tray.
-
You can store the sheet in a roll, fixing it with an elastic band or a special fastener, if provided in the model. It cannot be folded several times, creases can lead to their premature failure.
-
Silicone trays are not suitable for grilling. Nor should they be used in a wood-burning stove.
-
Do not cook on an open flame or on a hotplate, not even an electric one.
-
For washing, choose alkali-free detergents.
This mat can be used both for rolling, freezing, and baking in an oven or microwave oven. The silicone mat can be used as an anti-slip mat when cooking or eating. It is convenient to use a silicone mat for breading, baking and rolling out baked goods, freezing semi-finished products, and kneading dough at temperatures from -60 ° C to + 260 ° C.
The non-stick mat is placed on a pallet, and baked goods are laid out on top of it. Silicone guarantees an excellent adhesion and removal of even burnt products, which completely eliminates the use of oil for lubricating pallets.
In addition, due to the low thermal conductivity, scorching of the bottom of the products is significantly reduced, providing a more even baking of baked goods. The silicone mat is great for making white or black bread, biscuits, bagels and crackers, and other confectionery products.
According to Matsandrugs, the silicone mat can be used for freezing semi-finished products or kneading dough. And the breadth of the temperature range will allow it to be used not only in ovens but also in freezers to prevent freezing of products and products. The reusable silicone mat is the main difference from disposable parchment paper.
Tips for Using Silicone Mats
-
mats have matte and glossy sides, baked goods should be placed on a glossy surface
-
choose a mat depending on the size of your oven and the size of the baking sheet
-
before the first use, keep the mat in the oven for 2 hours at a temperature of 220°C
-
protect the surface of the mat from scratches: avoid sharp objects and gently shake off the crumbs
-
silicone mats cannot be used in the grill mode and on an open fire (Teflon mats can be used, provided that they do not come into direct contact with fire)
When the culinary products are ready to go to the oven, the silicone tray is used as a non-stick substrate. It is placed on a heat-resistant tray or baking sheet and future baked goods are laid out on it. At the same time, it is not necessary to lubricate the surface of the silicone with oil – the culinary products will not stick to it during the baking process.
Silicone heats up evenly, so rest assured that your muffins, pies, cookies, or cake will bake evenly and therefore will not burn. When the cooking product is finished, the confectionery easily lags behind the surface of the substrate, literally sliding off it.
If for some reason the pastry does stick to the substrate, do not try to scrape it off with a sharp cutlery. Use a spatula (cooking spatula) or soak the rug in water for a while.
We hope our review of baking mats will help you make the right choice.
