Just short of Silpat, is there any Silicone you like using

[chefwong]

Just short of a couple of Silicone potholders which I'm not a big fan of , but they have a small footprint and I use them more as trivets - the only Silicone thing I like in the kitchen is the Slipats.

We have a couple of the Silicone baking items - muffin pans, etc and they are such a bear to wash. GF got them thinking they would be non stick, etc but the cleanup on them is such a chore. After using them when baking, she needs to soak, then use baking soda, and scrub, etc. etc.

Good ole fashion commercial alum pans, and a quick soak with the rough side of the sponge, and all is clean..

Curious what Silicone items you like in the kitchen.

[Vetter]

I like my silicone spatulas and I like my silicone cake pans. I wish the pans were a bit smaller, because two barely fit on a cookie sheet, but I do like being able to easily pop out my cakes when I'm making a layer cake.

[cheesecake17]

I like using silicone spatulas and Silpat. I also dislike the silicone cake pans and muffin tins. For some reason, the light colored ones discolored. I also don't like the wobblyness of them. If I have to put the pan on a baking sheet, I might as well use a regular pan lined with parchment.

One good use for the silicone pans is to use them as molds. I used the cupcake mold to make sorbet 'cupcakes.' I also have a large bowl shaped silicone pan that I use to make an ice cream bombe. It sometimes takes the place of a birthday cake. My heart shaped pan (bought from Target for $) is used for jello or ice cream.

[Ruth Lafler]

I lovelovelove my silicone pastry brush! Silicone may be difficult to clean, but it's still easier than a bristle or feather brush, and it goes in the dish washer. It's very soft and doesn't snag, and it's heat resistant so I can use it to oil hot pans. It's the only silicone tool in my kitchen I really would hate to give up.

[Claudette]

Not all Silicone baking molds/pans are the same: I have about 4 or 5 different brands, and some clean very easily, and others I've had to throw away out of frustration. I agree with you and the other posters, though - mats and brushes are the best!

[chefwong]

I forgot about the brushes and spatulas in which we do love as well.

thanks for the input guys

[JoanN]

In addition to regular spatulas, I have a silicone fish spatula, which is also a dream to use for omelets. I have a few different silicone brushes; the heavier ones I use for basting and the lighter weight ones for pastry. And I have a silicone sleeve that slips onto the handle of my cast iron skillets. I just love it. So much easier than trying to use a pot holder. No silicone baking pans; never felt the need.

[greygarious]

I like the silicone "condom" that fits over the handle of a hot pan, especially when I've oven-finished pan-seared meat and have the pan back on the burner to deglaze and make a sauce. It stays in place, so there's no chance of grabbing the handle without remembering that it's dangerously hot. I also like the silicone spatulas, turner, and brush. I consider the $20-ish Silpat to be pricey but eventually bought one when I had a coupon. Turns out I don't like it. You have to wash it, sometimes more than once, then dry or hang it, and store it. For most purposes, a sheet of parchment is no-fuss and just as good. I use the black-and-silver binder clips from office supply stores to hold the parchment in place (they are fine at 375 degrees - I never experimented to see if they can take higher temps).

[flourgirl]

Pretty much the same as other posters:

spatulas with metal handles - I use these almost every day - have three in different shapes/sizes and I love them.

exopat baking mats - have four, think they're the bees knees

pastry brushes

"muffin" pans in various shapes - stars, hearts, flowers - I use these for molding ice cream, jello, stuff like that.

[LadyCook61]

silicone brushes and spatulas .

[RGC1982]

I had a similar experience using Silcone bakeware. I tried making heart-shaped cupcakes in special muffin pans last Valentine's Day, and was thoroughly disappointed. Because of the shape, I did not use liners, and I was shocked at how poorly they performed. First, they wobbled, and I needed to put them on a cookie sheet. Then, not only did the cupcakes stick (I used cooking spray) but they were HORRIBLE to clean and I had to soak them for quite a while. I have a feeling that I won't be using them again for a long time. I had actually purchased two different brands in different sizes, so I think this is a problem with Silicone in general.

I occasionally use a Silicone garlic peeler, which works well, (you roll the cloves in it), and I use some Silicone spatulas, but I am not a fan of anything else. I've looked at the Silicone oven mits, but somehow prefer to use good, old fashioned cloth. I do have one Silicone basting brush, and it seems useful, but I would be afraid to use it on a barbecue with flames around the food items.

[greygarious]

Like you, I had a problem with cupcakes sticking and difficult cleaning, and had used cooking spray. Only later did I read the directions carefully, and realize that they specifically said NOT to use cooking spray, which will damage the silicone's performance. Mine was a gift, so at least I didn't ruin something I'd spent money on.

That the bakeware needs support from a baking sheet is, in retrospect, a "Duh" realization. Not a big deal to set it onto a standard pan.

I've read that the full-size oven mitts are awkward, but I do like the small, "sock puppet mouth" style one I have. It slips over your fingertips on one side, thumb on the other, and protects the palm, so it's very good for removing bakeware from a hot oven.