Silicone Bakeware

[barbszy]

Has anyone tried the silicone bakeware that is all over the stores?

I shy away from using entire pans made of silicone (though I bet they're easy to store!) but I did buy two cookie-sheet liners. It's great to be able to make cookies and not have a pan to wash; these are a breeze to wash clean.

If you use silicone cookie-sheet liners or pans, have you noticed any difference in baking time or browning than with conventional metal or glass pans?

[cat lover]

The only thing I have is a muffin "tin" which I have had several years. I have used it twice and really didn't care for it. First I didn't like the flexibility of it just handling it. Second; even though the muffins didn't stick, there was an awful lot to clean out of the cups and they did not clean easy at all. I really am deciding that I may give it away and stick to my regular ones. The liner for the cookie sheets do sound great though!

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I too only have a muffin tin. But, I really LOVE mine. Last night, I made some tuna muffins which have a terrible problem of sticking to the pan, normally, even with the spray oil. But, the silicone prevents the amount of sticking, which is a plus. But, I agree that it is very flexible, which may not be something you want for baking cakes and such.

I also have the silicone spatulas. They are great for cooking as they don't melt.

[barbszy]

I did manage to ruin a silicone spatula by knocking it too close to the flame on my gas stove. It got all white near that part, and the texture was weird. So I tossed it. Haven't been able to find one like it to replace it, and this one was a tool I used a lot. It was an unusual shape. Here's a picture of the kind I had. It was nice and sturdy and really good for getting into the edges of pans.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/barbszy/goodcook.jpg

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I have never seen one like that. I bet it worked well, before you ruined it. lol

[ajrsmom]

I haven't seen that spatula anywhere, either. When I'm out shopping, I'll give a look for one for you. ;)

[barbszy]

Thanks, Tami. I'm pretty sure I picked it up in my local supermarket since they carry that line of cooking gadgets. But they don't seem to have any more. I replaced it with something else but it doesn't quite do the job.

[cat lover]

DO you remember the company name? If not maybe it is still on other pieces at that store; you could write them or email them the pic and see where it might still be available; good luck!

[Bilby]

I have single silicone cupcake/muffin cups and I love them, they are easy to empty and nothing sticks, I have my silicone spatula but apart from that nothing else. Being cupcake like cups they stack and store really easily too and take up hardly any room.

Only down side but doesn't worry my in cupcakes is that they don't brown up on the sides and bottom but if you're using papers inside you metal muffin pan they dont' brown anyway.

[cat lover]

Hmm, mine is a 6 cup "tin" silicone muffin thingy, maybe because I bought it when it first came out is my problem. It sticks like crazy and is hard to clean. What is your secret? Maybe I need to get some new ones that are individual?

[Rbeccers]

I love my Silicone bakeware. I have the 6-cup muffin pan, 24-mini muffin with a metal rack to hold it, 3- cookie mats and numerous cake pans in different shapes and sizes. I love baking in them and would rather use them then any of my metal or glass pans when making cakes, muffins or cookies.

One thing to remember if you are having a problem with things sticking is to wait until the food item is almost cool or even all the way cool. When the food is hot it sticks more and it down't matter how much you did or did not grease them up to start with. Some people say that after the first time or two you no longer need to grease the pans but I have found that a light spray of Pam or other such stuff every time helps out (especially if you have washed them in the dishwasher recently). Something else to do when using silicone cake pans is to put them on a metal baking sheet so as to help support them.

[barbszy]

So those of you who have and use this bakeware: do you notice any difference in browning/cook time? Things seem to take longer when I use the cookie mats than when I don't.:confused:

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I don't think anything non-metal will brown the same. But, I don't use my muffin pan that often.

[Bilby]

I do have a mat but I've not used it as I bought it the same time I bought the cups, it would still need a metal try underneath it in the oven as it's not stable enough, will have to be out there and give it a try!

I'm with DeBora only metal I think will brown things nicely all round.

I wait until cakes are half cooled before I loosen the sides then turn upside down and press with my thumb in the middle they just pop out. If I remember I give a quick spray oil spray but don't always.

[cat lover]

My problem may be taking them out before cooled enough then, still using the old method! LOL

[Ravish30]

I have several pieces of Silicone Bakeware and love them. I have a fluted cake pan, a round cake pan, silicone muffin cups, a silicone muffin pan and 4 silicone baking sheet liners.

[cat lover]

I jus saw some heart shaped individual muffin cups that I'm thnking of trying. They would be great to use with the Cupcake Doctor cookbook I just won here on MM!

[barbszy]

Hey, last night I was in my regular supermarket and I happened to check the baking aisle. I found my favorite spatula "hiding" behind some other tool! I was happy to pick it up. ($6.50 but so worth it--this is one of the best spatulas I've ever used)

[cat lover]

Wow, that is so unusal to find something you are looking for! I never hardly ever have that kind of luck! LOL Glad you find it!! Maybe get a spare when you go back! When I do find a tool I really like most of the times I never see them again!