The Silpat baking mat is a reusable and versitile silicone kitchen mat. While it does carry a higher price tag than most silicon mats, its durability and performance make it the best of its breed.
Unlike most other flexible silicone bakeware designed for kitchen use that are merely thin sheets of silicone, the Silpat mat is made from a woven fiberglass mesh permiated with a food-safe silicone. This fiberglass core gives the Silpat mat a level of strength not found in other silicone bakeware. Even the silicone itself seems to be of higher quality, being very smooth to the touch.
The Silpat silicone mat is very easy to use, simply lay the mat onto a cookie sheet and place the food you’d like to cook on top. The mats come in a variety of sizes, so make sure to measure your pans before you order one. The being said I have used mine on a pan that was smaller than the mat and even with the edges hanging over I experienced no problems.
What can I do with a Silpat mat?
While baking cookies is obviously the first thing that comes to mind when you see the Silpat mat, don’t let that limit your creativity when using it. Remember, the silicone baking mat is non-stick so it can replace foil, wax paper and parchment paper at any time. And the Silpat works for savory dishes too. You’ll never cook frozen foods on foil again. You can even use your Silpat as a no-stick solution for kneading dough, rolling out pie crust or cooling chocolates and candies. The mat is oven, microwave and freezer safe with standing temperatures from -40°F – 482°F.
How do you clean the Silpat?
You will see instant improvement in color and taste of the food you cook on the Silpat baking mat. To clean the mat simply wash the mat in hot water and a little soap, dry with a towel and let it finish drying while lying flat. You do have to let it lay flat to try which I have always found to be a bit cumbersome and annoying as I am the type of person that likes to put things away when I am done with them.
Some places I’ve read suggested not using soap on the Silpat. I have tried cleaning the mat with and without soap; the results are much better with soap. This is especially true in the case of foods with a high oil content or strongly flavored foods.
Are Silpat’s dangerous?
I have read people online claiming that the Silpat gives off smoke and/or toxic fumes, but my experience has proven this to be completely false when working with the mat in the appropriate temperature ranges.
You must have a Silpat in your kitchen
The Silpat silicone mat certainly earns my seal of approval and I consider it to be one of the items you must have in your kitchen. You pay for what you get here and you’ll be happy with your investment for years to come as the Silpat can be used 2,000 – 3,000 times.
Tagged with: Silicone bakeware • Silicone bakeware sets • Silpat
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