Pros and Cons of Silicone Bakeware

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Pros and Cons of Silicone Bakeware

By admin | February 19, 2010

Every year there are more and more baking and cooking supplies to hit the market. Many of these new items make kitchen work easier and more efficient, others are simply not worth the money it costs to purchase them and still others are heralded as revolutionary, only to meet with mixed reviews from people who actually use them. One such category of cooking supplies that seems to have a high percentage of mixed reviews is silicone bakeware.

If you are considering purchasing one or more kinds of silicone bakeware then you should be aware of both the pros and cons of these cooking supplies.

What is Silicone Bakeware?

Silicone bakeware is cookie, cake and other baking pans that are made from silicone rather than glass or metal. These pans are light weight and can actually be rolled up, twisted in various ways and will spring back into shape. They are said to be able to withstand cooking temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, though they can’t be used in a broiler or under any open flame. They are also supposed to be non stick though there seems to be some confusion about whether or not they need to be sprayed with non cook sticking spray to work correctly.

Benefits of Silicone Bakeware

Those who like silicone bakeware point out that these cooking supplies can go from the freezer to a hot oven without cracking or breaking. They also point out that they are dishwasher safe and that you can roll them up and store them into limited spaces.

Negatives of Silicone Bakeware

Those who have tried silicone bakeware and found it wanting, have cited the following reasons for not liking these baking supplies. Many complain that they are extremely flimsy and difficult to wash. They also complain that you have to increase baking time when using these products and that they cook unevenly. Others complain that these baking pans actually leave an aftertaste on the food that is cooked in them.

Confusion and Discrepancies

There also seems to be some confusion and discrepancies between users who like and dislike these products. One is that while some users report that food sticks in them, others say that food releases easily from them. Another discrepancy seems to be in clean up, while some users say that using these products makes for easy clean up in the dishwasher others report that stains remain on the cookware.

It does seem that the higher end priced silicone bakeware does do a better job than the lower end products, though in light of all the cons it seems like paying the money to purchase the higher end product and then ending up disappointed would be a waste of money.

The best recommendation that can be offered is that if you are considering buying this cookware you might want to find someone who owns some and try it out before purchasing it. Another option is to take time to read the reviews across the net on this type of cookware and decide if it is the product for you.