21st Century Bakeware

Cool tools for the hot kitchen.

When it comes to innovation, the kitchen is no different than the rest of the house. There is a constant drive by inventors and manufacturers to design tools and equipment that utilize cutting-edge technology and the resulting products make cooking more efficient and enjoyable. We see this clearly in the durable kitchen goods area with advances in microwave technology and refrigeration. In small wares, one of the most significant breakthroughs in gadgets is in the use of silicone.

Silicone is a synthetic rubber which contains bonded silicon (a natural element found in sand) and oxygen. It is food safe, nonstick, extremely durable and can withstand a wide range of temperatures. Because of this, many of the best selling new kitchen gadgets and tools incorporate silicone into their design. There are spatulas, potholders and tools made of silicone as well as a wide variety of bakeware pieces that use this versatile synthetic. At first, users of these goods may be wary of buying “plastic” tools but once they have a chance to use them they become true believers of their benefits.

One of the first mainstream silicone items was a baking sheet that is widely used in commercial kitchens and on the cooking shows. The most recognizable brand is made in France under the name Silpat but there now dozens of similar products of comparable quality. These liners come in different sizes (the most common is a standard “half-sheet” size) and are placed in the bottom of your baking sheet before items are baked. The sheets are completely nonstick and virtually guarantee items cooked on it will cook evenly without scorching on the bottom. No serious cookie baker should be without them.

Almost every household has an assortment of nonstick pans in their kitchen. For certain delicate foods like fish and eggs are more easily cooked in nonstick but care must given to the tools used with these pans. To protect the surface, most manufactures do not recommend using metal utensils. A whole line of silicone tools including spatulas, spoons, whisks and tongs have been developed in part to satisfy the demands of nonstick pans. These tools are great for all cooking but especially useful for nonstick because they are heat resistant and do not scratch the surface of the pan.

Silicone is also used in the making of potholders, mitts and trivets. With a heat resistance rating of 650º F, they are far more effective at protecting your hands and countertops from intense heat. Since they are waterproof you don’t have to worry about the occasional steam burns you get from cloth potholders and mitts. Last but not least, they are highly stain-resistant so cleaning them is a snap.

With Silpat and other tools now firmly established in the market the category of kitchenware more recently taken by storm is bakeware. Just like the baking sheets, these products have been used commercially for years. Now home cooks are discovering what professionals have known for years - cakes, tarts, madelaines and a wide variety of other desserts are best baked in silicone pans. All the popular types of baking pans are now produced from molded silicone including cake, cupcake, tart and bread pans. They heat evenly and because they are both flexible and nonstick the finished product just pops right out. They are also made in individual sizes that make great molds for frozen treats.

While the benefits of silicone are clear there are some cons to consider before buying. First, silicone pieces can melt if exposed to direct flame. The quality of the silicone used affects its heat rating so check the manufacturer’s instructions when purchasing. Second, silicone can be cut with a sharp knife. If you are using the bakeware be sure to remove the finished product from the pan before cutting. Lastly, most silicone products are going to cost a little more than their wood, plastic or metal counterparts.

Walk down the aisle of any supermarket and you see countless items marked “new and improved”. In our business, companies constantly introduce “new” products that are really just the old product in slightly different color or configuration. That’s why it’s exciting when something truly new comes to the marketplace. The family of products made from silicone represent true innovation and I look forward to seeing what new uses are yet to come.