Features of silicone baking molds

Silicone mold: operating instructions

Plastic and silicone kitchenware has become an integral part of our lives. It is difficult to imagine everyday life without disposable tableware, all kinds of spatulas and brushes for baking. But the undisputed leaders in this “rating” are still baking molds. Can they harm your health, and how to use a silicone baking mold in the oven? Let's try to figure it out.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's start with the advantages. It turns out there are quite a few:

• Bright and varied colors of silicone molds make the cooking process creative and entertaining. You will always have a desire to fantasize and create culinary masterpieces. Agree, with such a mood, the most ordinary charlotte will turn into an exquisite dessert!
• The molds heat up very quickly and evenly. They can easily withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees. And they cool down to room temperature in just 3 minutes.
• They are dishwasher safe and can even be left in the refrigerator.
• No baked goods will burn in these forms, and there is no need to grease the form.
• Probably, every housewife is familiar with the situation when a ready pie (or cake) cannot be removed from the mold. As a result, the hopelessly spoiled dessert has to be masked with improvised roses or pieces of fruit. So, if you have a silicone mold in your arsenal, this problem will not threaten you. Even without using a knife or spatula, you can “free” the pie from the silicone “captivity” with a “flick of the wrist”.
• The smooth surface of the form and the complete absence of porosity will not allow the absorption of foreign odors or the emergence and development of unnecessary microorganisms.
• Your dessert will cook faster than in a metal or ceramic dish, so it is recommended to check the degree of readiness 5-10 minutes earlier than you usually do.
• Silicone molds are suitable not only for baking. You can cook and heat up a variety of dishes in them, and not only in the oven, but also in the microwave.
• You will need a minimum of space to store such dishes, because the forms can be bent and folded in any way you want. They will not lose their volume and will not be damaged from this.

Now a little about the sad stuff.

• In some cases, you may still need to grease the silicone mold with oil. Much depends on the composition of the specific dish.
• The flexibility of the form sometimes becomes its disadvantage, since during the process of “taking” the tender and crumbly pie out of the oven it can become deformed.
• When choosing a silicone mold, pay attention to its composition. It is better if it is 100% silicone, then the mold will cost a little more, but it is guaranteed to protect you from unpleasant odors and will be more durable. Cheaper molds contain impurities, which affects both productivity and the quality of baking.
• Sometimes desserts prepared in a silicone mold do not have an attractive crispy crust and are distinguished by shiny sides.
• Although cakes bake faster in silicone molds, larger molds require additional time.
• Since silicone itself accumulates static electricity, dust may be attracted to the surface of the finished baked goods.
• The most serious disadvantage, according to housewives, is that the form can be easily damaged with a knife or metal spatula.

How to use a silicone mold

A few simple rules will make the use of a silicone mold not only durable, but also as convenient and safe as possible.

Having made such a practical purchase, immediately wash the form with a soft sponge using detergent. This simple procedure will get rid of the chemical composition on the surface.

After each use, rinse and wipe dry with paper towels both outside and inside.

You shouldn't use hard sponges or brushes for such forms, as you will damage the surface. And even if there are no holes "through and through", the structure of the wall covering will already be damaged.

To remove the pie without deforming it, gently pull the edges, then push it out by pushing from below. If the pie is large, lift it with a wooden or silicone spatula. And no metal "helpers"!

Never place such a form on an open fire. And keep it away from knives, forks and other sharp and cutting objects. Holes appear very quickly and make the silicone form unsuitable for further use.

Should I grease the pan?

It has already been said that baking in a silicone mold does not stick, perhaps only with rare exceptions. But if you wish, you can grease the mold with oil, this will not cause any problems. A kind of "knight's move" so that the pie will definitely not stick to the mold.

It's a different matter if you wash the pan in the dishwasher. Then, before you put the dough in the pan and put it in the oven, you need to grease it.

By the way, the softness of the silicone mold causes some inconvenience. Especially if you are baking something in it for the first time. Usually, housewives act in the same way as in the case of using a metal or ceramic mold, and this is wrong, because the mold and its contents are easily deformed.

This means that having bought a soft form, you should select a special stand or tray of exactly the same shape for it. A grate will also do. And place both items in the oven at once.

And a few more tips.

• When preparing a tall pie (muffin or pudding), keep in mind that the pan may tip over under the weight of the contents, which means it is better to immediately place it in a pan of a suitable circumference and continue the cooking process “in a duet”.
• When preparing any dish, it is recommended to fill the form after it has been placed on a tray (stand).
• Please note that in both gas and electric ovens the pan should not come into contact with the walls or open flame.

Cooking in silicone

Now let's take a step-by-step look at the cooking process in this newfangled mold. Let's make it clear right away: the process is very similar to cooking in metal or ceramic dishes. So, with basic baking skills, you can easily master this trick. And the variety of shapes will allow you to create a real masterpiece, so you won't even have to rack your brains over the question: how to decorate the finished dessert?

1. Before cooking, wipe the mold and dry it with a paper towel. The peculiarity of silicone is that it literally attracts dust.
2. Be sure to read the information from the manufacturer of the mold (usually it is indicated on the packaging), as it usually indicates under what conditions this item can be used, and where exactly.
3. The thermal conductivity of silicone is much higher than that of metal or ceramics, which means that the first time you carefully determine the time required for baking, so as not to overcook the dish. Experienced housewives claim that the cooking time is reduced by 15-20%.
4. Let it cool before removing it. It won't take long.

Silicone: harmful or not

This is probably the most burning issue that worries every housewife. Convenience is good, aesthetics is just great, but if there is harm to health, then all the above advantages are reduced to nothing. In fairness, it is worth noting that neither glass nor metal forms have survived such a number of disputes in their lifetime.

And the longer we use silicone molds, the more arguments their ardent opponents put forward. At the same time, professional chemists authoritatively state that only incorrectly chosen kitchen utensils can cause harm to health. Of course, today you can find molds from unscrupulous manufacturers who use cheaper raw materials with various impurities and low-quality dyes. Then, during the heating process, an unpleasant "chemical" smell appears, and harmful impurities can end up in the body.

However, food grade silicone does not pose such a danger. This means that high-quality molds can be used without any concerns.

How to choose a form

To make the right choice, you just need to use your senses. As naive as it may sound, but it is thanks to them that you can avoid danger.

For example, before buying, smell the form. If it has a strong smell of plastic, rubber, then it is not your option. Refuse without regret, despite the attractive appearance and cost.

If there is no smell at room temperature, but it is noticeable when heated, use a mold for cold desserts or for freezing ice, and do not put it in the oven anymore.

Another simple quality test: bend the form in half, and then carefully examine the fold. There should be no white track left.

Silicone gets its bright color thanks to dyes. Therefore, if all the above tests have been passed, but doubts remain, give preference to a neutral color.

A quality manufacturer can be found both overseas and in the former CIS countries. Abroad does not mean an unconditional sign of quality. So carefully check the form before buying. It is not recommended to order kitchenware at ridiculous prices via the Internet. After all, if you cannot simply hold the form in your hands and evaluate it "by smell", it turns out that you are buying a pig in a poke.

Popular manufacturers

It is clear that the form is chosen depending on the future culinary masterpiece. Thus, for baking cakes, muffins or cookies, a special device is required.

There are two types of forms used for baking cakes: detachable or shaped. If you are a supporter of the first option, take a closer look at the models from Lurch and Bradex. And among the shaped ones, the Tescoma and Pyrex brands have a suitable assortment.

If your family is a fan of all kinds of muffins and cookies, then Silikomart products are probably your choice. Thanks to the large assortment, with the help of silicone molds of this brand you can easily bake muffins, cookies and even larks - an unusual themed dessert.

The bread baking form is probably the most common - in the form of a "brick". The undisputed leaders in the manufacture of such forms are considered to be the following companies: Mayer&Bosh, Oursson, Fissman. Decent quality at an affordable price - this is what unites the products of these brands.

As you can see, silicone molds, like any other kitchen utensils, have their advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, each housewife chooses "helpers" according to her own criteria, which means that what one likes, another may not be impressed at all. Focus solely on your own feelings, knowledge and experience. Then the silicone mold will become a reliable friend, and will help turn the most ordinary dish into a real work of culinary art.

VIDEO: How to use a silicone baking mold.