Silicone bake mats are a popular kitchen accessory loved by millions of bakers around the globe. It is a non-stick surface used for baking, which is available for purchase in various sizes and shapes. It’s used as a substitute for the classical aluminum foil placed into the baking sheets and pans.
What makes them so extraordinary, is the ability to withstand really high temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. They have extra durability and can go from the freezer straight to the oven and vice versa. However, it is recommended to keep them at a slightly lower temperature than the maximum stated on the packaging.
Cleaning Silicone Baking Mat
How to clean silicone baking mats? Once you’ve cooked your favorite meal, it comes the time to clean the baking equipment. That’s another great feature of the silicone baking mats, they are super easy to clean, and it can be done in one of the ways described below.
- Clean baking mats in the dishwasher. Indeed, these mats are absolutely dishwasher safe, you can place them with the rest of the kitchenware without hesitation. Just fill up your dishwasher with the regular dirty dishes, and set the program to a normal washing cycle. This cleaning method will help to make them oil-free and remove all the baking residue.
- Use the lemon juice. It’s a very easy and handy method. All you have to do is soak the used mats in the hot water mixed with fresh lemon juice, and leave it inside for around 10-15 minutes. Scrub the mat with a dish sponge, or a towel, and then clean with water, and leave it to dry.
- Baking soda cleaning. This is one of our favorite cleaning methods and it always works like a charm. First, you should wet the silicone mat under the running water. Put a generous amount of baking soda on the wet mat, and rub it on the mat with a sponge. Repeat the process for the heavy trains when needed. Then leave the soda on the mat for around 20 minutes, and let the chemical process do its work. Once done, rinse the mat under the clean running water.
- Soap solution and hot water. This is the last but not least cleaning method. Fill your sink with very hot water (careful not to burn your fingers), and add the grease-fighting dish soap. Mix the solution in the water, and put the mats there for around 20 minutes. Once done, rub the mats to make sure all the dirt is removed, and repeat the process if necessary. Dry the silicone mats on a rack or with a clean towel.
Bonus Cleaning Tip for Silicone Mats: Clean Them While They Are Still Warm
There is a simple explanation why the dirt will come off easier while the mats are still warm. The silicone molecules are expanding when the mat is heated, that’s why it will be easier to remove the dirt and oil residue from them. Heat the mat before cleaning it, and you’ll see how easier the process has become. The same applies to water that you’re using for cleaning. It should be really hot, not just warm.
Pros and Cons of Using Silicone Baking Mats
After you know how to clean silicone baking mats, does it pay off to use them instead of the other baking solutions? You can use them interchangeably with parchment in so many ways. Even though both accessories are good for baking, silicone mats are very long-lasting and durable. Paper, however, can only be used once. It’s less eco-friendly.
Silicone baking mats are very easy to slip into the baking sheet, and since they have a weight of around 1000 grams, they will stay in place during baking better compared to the parchment paper sheets, which weighs just 4 grams. This is especially handy when you are baking sweets with chocolate or caramel. Moreover, since these mats sit well and have a perfect surface, they produce the bakery with perfect undersides.
If you bake often, a reusable silicone mat is a great addition to your kitchen. It’s easy to clean, and more environmentally-friendly.