Are silicone type products better than metal products?
You need to know all about silicone baking pans in order to make the best choice.
Pros and Cons of Silicone
When we tested silicone baking pan brands in the past, our results showed little to no difference between silicone and metal cooking performance.
So, why should you switch to silicone?
The following are the pros and cons.
Pros
- It's easy to use.
- It's flexible.
- It can be rolled, folded or stacked.
- It can go in the dishwasher without rusting.
- It's light.
- It won't corrode, scratch, dent or peel.
Disadvantages
- Some are very soft, so transferring the baking sheet to the oven when it is full can be difficult.
- It can be expensive.
- Although silicone is "non-stick", most still require oiling with each use.
One way to determine if the silicone you buy is of high quality is to use a pinch test.
Simply twist a flat surface on the item to pinch it; if you see the white color show through, you'll know the product is made of filler, if not, you'll know it's pure silicone.
A notable exception to this rule is silicone baking mats.
While you can find 100% silicone baking mats, higher quality silicone baking mats have an internal fiberglass or nylon fiber mesh layer to improve heat distribution; however, keep in mind that the food will only touch the silicone layer, so it is still safe.
What about silicone trays that are too soft?
It's not hard to imagine what could go wrong if a tray full of hot food sags and wobbles when you lift it.
A slight bend helps with cakes and muffins, but anything too soft can lead to food spills and finger burns.
But luckily we have a solution: it's best to use metal baking pans under all silicone bakeware to keep things stable.
You also need to check the hardness of the silicone bakeware and check the firmness of the silicone.
Do the trays sag too much when filled with ingredients?
The last point is whether the product is dishwasher safe?
Hand washing takes a lot of time to clean and maintain
Please note that made of 100% food grade silicone, it is safe for use in the refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, boiling water and ovens up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
So you don't need to worry about whether it poses a health risk to humans.
Explore more silicone goodies at www.infullcutlery.com to make your baking journey smoother and your food more perfect.