Silicone Kitchen Things

I have been curious about the new colourful silicone kitchen items that seem to be in every shop recently.


Pantry Magic has a great looking selection.


The New York Times just did a pretty comprehensive review:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/10/dining/10sili.html?8dpc


Basically they said:

They LOVED - the silicone no stick baking mats for cookies (slicker than the baking pans and tins), the potholders (including gloves you can wear and put your hand in boiling water to lift out food like corn!), and the splash guards (not quite sure this is a necesity in HK)


Another good idea for HK is the collapsable strainer/colander - saves space!


How to tell if it is good silicone:

"The better silicone products cost more than the glass or metal ones they replace. Some of them are worth it. But beware: not all silicone is created equal. To reduce costs, some manufacturers add fillers to the product. Luckily there is a simple way to tell: pinch and twist a flat surface on the item. If white shows through, the product contains filler. Pure silicone does not change color when twisted."


After reading the article, I am going to get a baking mat for sure as we need a new one anyway, and my next set of spatulas and spoons when needed might be silicone too... But of course, I will twist first to be sure it does not change colour!


Hope this is helpful for someone else!

I note the author also mentions some of the problems which have deterred me from trying the baking items. One, things do stick and two, the need to adjust cooking times and temperatures (I don't want to waste time and effort on practise runs). Also I have heard the things don't brown well when cooked in silicone - something again the writer noted.


I do have a silicone spatula and a pot holder. The pot holder also is great for loosening tight lids from jars and keeps the mixing bowl steady but it seems to attract flour, etc. from afar.


I looked at the baking sheets but they didn't fit my trays and I figure baking parchment is just as easy and it can be cut to shape.


As I don't need to replace any of my tins, I won't be buying silicone bakeware any time soon. But I might consider a mat for rolling out pastry and kneading. I'll consider other items when, and if, necessary.


Did you notice whether Pantry Magic has silicone brushes?


Has anyone else tried these products?

Hi Claire - you know, I didn't want to mention anything negative :)


I went to Pantry Magic today and forgot to look for brushes, but looked at the baking mats, now I have to measure our oven! ha ha. I did twist them and they did not show any white, so according to the above they are good quality.

Moving this to HK practical

There are lots of threads on pots and pans in recipes.... hmmm but okay.

I bought the silicone muffin/bundt pan at Pantry Magic, they had a really cute one that had a wreath design. I made banana bread muffins and they flipped right out, the baking time was the same as my regular muffin tin and they came out nice and brown. I love it...I really couldn't believe how easy they flipped out.