There’s a ton of non-stick baking mats on the market. Are the French-made Silpat brand ones worth the money?
I sure think so and here’s why:
I whipped up a batch of peanut butter, chocolate chip, pretzel and marshmallow cookies. If you’ve ever cooked with marshmallows, or heated them over a fire, you know how sticky they get. Even on a non-stick cookie sheet (or a jelly-roll pan, as pictured), they stick like PB to the roof of your mouth.
Not so with this here baking mat. These puppies lifted off with almost no effort.
You might be asking, “Why pay top dollar for the Silpat brand when there are other, CHEAPER options.”
Like everything, you get what you pay for.
When used properly, the Silpat brand boasts 2000-3000 uses. With the knock-offs, you’d be lucky to get 1000 uses.
Some of the cheaper ones discolour or transfer flavours.
I’ve used my Silpat mats with everything from fish to fudge cookies and the cookies have never tasted like cod.
*Note: this isn’t guaranteed by the manufacturer. It’s just my experience.
I’ve owned the one in the pictures for about five years. It makes cooking notoriously sticky things like macarons lift off the pan with ease.
They do come with downsides, though.
You can’t cut them. They contain fiberglass mesh that is safely surrounded by silicone. If you cut them, the fiberglass could get into your food.
Before you buy, know the size of your favourite baking pans, or bring them with you to make sure you get a perfect fit.
There are other options on the market that you can cut, but again, they don’t last as long.
So how do you care for your Slipat?
Storage
Don’t bend or fold your Silpat. Roll it or store it flat.
Sharp tools
Don’t cut it, cut on it or use metal utensils on it.
Heating
You can use it in the microwave, but don’t put it directly on the stove or the heating element of your oven. It can take heat up to 480°F (249°C, gas mark 9). Don’t use it when broiling.
They provide a bit of insulation when baking. For best results, avoid using them with an insulated baking sheet.
Cleaning
Wait until cool (it cools quite quickly once it’s out of the oven).
Use mild dish soap on a sponge or cloth (don’t use a scouring pad) and rinse thoroughly.
Air dry.
If you have pets, keep them away from your silicone tools. Pet hair stick to these like gangbusters.
Are they safe?
They’ve been around since the 1960s. They meet FDA and NSF regulations. And they’re Kosher.
Cookware Love 