In recent years, silicone molds have become the top choice among home baking lovers and professional confectioners. This format is suitable for pies, muffins, cakes, bread, and other confectionery products. The popularity of the products is due to the wide range of diameters, versatility and ease of use. However, some people encounter problems during cooking in this form because they do not know how to do it correctly. To “make friends” with the kitchen equipment once and for all, we suggest together to understand all the nuances.
The modern range is characterized by its diversity. The main advantage of such products is the elementary cleaning, the food easily falls off the walls. And it is not difficult to extract the dessert, preserving its integrity. If in your arsenal appeared such a useful tool, you need to pay attention to the rules of application and care:
- Washing after each use. Otherwise, the remains of food will dry out and then it will be many times more difficult to remove them.
- Pour the dough into the container only if it stands on a solid surface (tray). This will avoid accidental spills.
- Only soft sponges are suitable for cleaning. Harder ones can ruin the integrity of the surface.
- To remove small cupcakes, you can turn the mold with the dainty side down and slightly press the bottom. To get a larger dish, use wooden spatulas. It is strongly recommended to avoid sharp metal objects for this purpose, as they will cause irreparable damage to the dishes.
- During storage, you can bend the product as you like, twist it into a tube, stick it in narrow cabinets. It will not be deformed and quickly take its original form.
The first thing to do after the purchase – give the equipment a good wash with a detergent. By doing this, you will remove the chemical coating that can be applied during the production of the product.
Lubricate or not
Figuring out how to use a silicone mold, it is important to know that this material is non-stick. Therefore, it is allowed to bake without the use of fats, which is especially relevant for people who sit on a diet.
Useful tip: before the first use, the container is greased with oil, to “start” the non-stick property. Later such a thing will not be needed, as the silicone “remembers” this state.
In cheap products can still stick the dough, because of which it will be necessary to lubricate the surface with oil every time. Keep in mind a few things:
- Every pastry chef strives to make their baked goods succeed in terms of aesthetics and taste. To do this, it is important to learn how to handle the mold properly. The cooking process involves a few simple steps:
- Focusing on the cooking recipe, you need to set the temperature in the range of 170-220 degrees. A higher temperature mode is not recommended, as the container may warp. Give the oven time to warm up well, and only then proceed to the actual baking.
- Before you start, rinse the silicone dish with warm running water, then dry it thoroughly. Pour the batter only after you have positioned the molds on the substrate.
- Then you can put the tray in the oven and start cooking. Do not open the oven door while cooking, as the cold air can negatively affect the dough’s ability to rise.
- When the time is up, take out the baking sheet, place it on a hard surface, and let it cool. After it has cooled completely, you can take out the finished dessert.
In a gas oven.
The main difference between a gas oven and a gas oven is the uneven heating. The heat is supplied at the bottom of the equipment, because of this, the bottom of the dish bakes faster. Therefore, it is worth placing the container on the very top. The key condition – the presence of a substrate or tray, as the action of the fire will directly lead to the melting of the material. Make sure that the mold does not touch the walls, the top and the heating elements.
In an electric oven
With this option, everything is easier because of the even distribution of heat. For best results, place the backing in the middle. If your oven has a “grill” mode with maximum heat, do not use it for silicone.
How to choose silicone molds for baking
If you approach the issue of selecting products competently, they will serve you for many years and will please you with their convenience. Important details that you should pay attention to:
- Information on the package: the manufacturer, care tips, the permissible temperature range.
- Absence of a specific smell.
- Maximum natural color. If the goods in front of you “screaming” or acid coloring, then they contain harmful chemical elements. Check that there are no streaks or stains on the surface. These kinds of defects indicate poor quality.
- Small thickness is also a reason to reject the proposed option.
- Considering different models, check them in a simple and quick way. Bend them in half and hold in this position for a few seconds.
