It does not matter if you spend most of your waking moment in the kitchen or you bond with the oven occasionally, but if you like baking cakes, breads and pastries, then you would know some of the common trials and tribulations of trying to get your baked goodies out of the pan in one piece. Some of the more common baking aids (e.g. wax paper, baking pan spraying oil, baking sheet) may serve some useful purpose, but often these change the taste or texture of the baked goods, are too wasteful to use, or do not work well as they should. If you really want value for your money, you might want to start using a silicone baking mat. A product like this is not only reusable, but very versatile as well. Assuredly so, a baking mat like this can and should replace most other baking aids in your kitchen. Here are other advantages to using the silicone baking mat.
1. It offers flexibility. Since the baking mat is as pliant as paper, but 100 times stronger, you can easily bend it or pull at it to loosen breads and cakes from the pan ” without worrying about the mat shredding into pieces. This also makes the mat easier to fit in just about any sized pan you may have in your kitchen.
2. It offers versatility. Not only can you line all your pans with this baking mat, but you can also use this as a countertop mat for some of your messier preparations (e.g. caramelized sugar mixes, chocolate spread and fondue preparations.)
3. Clean up is easy. A wipe with a damp towel is all that is needed, then set aside to dry. The mat can also be washed in the dishwasher if needed.
4. Silicone resists stains and odors because the material is non-porous and non-absorbent. Micro organisms and other bacteria do not survive and multiply on the surface of a silicone baking mat.
5. It is heat resistant. This means that you can keep the temperature high while baking without having to worry about your silicone baking mat bursting in flames.
You need a good baking mat for perfect baking. Visit my Baking Mat blog for recommendations, videos, advice on baking and baking mats.
