When looking for reliable molds, cups, and trays, you’ve probably seen a whole range of silicone bakeware.
Silicone is affordable, convenient, and resistant to heat.
It’s easy to work with especially when you want the cleanup to be stress-free.
There is a range of pros and cons of silicone bakeware.
Like most materials, the choice usually comes down to the situation.
Silicone isn’t the only material you’ll use for baking, but it can be the best material to choose in certain scenarios.
Learn about the pros and cons that will help you to decide if silicone bakeware is right for your needs.
Pro – Silicone is a Nonstick Material
Baking can be messy, especially when working with sticky ingredients.
There’s nothing more frustrating than baked goods that stick to trays and pans.
Silicone bakeware is a great innovation because it provides a nonstick alternative to traditional cookware.
In most cases, you can use silicone without having to worry about spraying or greasing the bakeware.
Pro – Silicone is Easy to Clean
The nonstick nature of silicone bakeware also makes the cleanup an easy task.
After cooling, you can remove your baked goods and easily clean the bakeware without any heavy scrubbing or soaking.
This can make your life in the kitchen much easier.
If you have a busy schedule but still want to bake, choosing silicone bakeware is the best option for you.
Pro – Silicone Bakeware Heats Up Quickly
Like aluminum, silicone bakeware heats up quickly.
This can make it easier to follow the times on your recipes.
And, like aluminum, silicone cools quickly without retaining heat, so your ingredients won’t overcook after you take them out of the oven.
The heating is also consistent so you won’t have to worry about the cool and hot spots that can develop with some other types of bakeware,
like porcelain and ceramic bakeware.
Pro – Silicone is Lightweight and Easy to Store
Bakeware made from silicone is lightweight and easy to handle.
Because the material is flexible, it can be folded and stored easily.
It will form back into its original state when removed from storage.
This is a major advantage if you are lacking storage space in your kitchen.
Pro – No Rust with Silicone Bakeware
Steel and aluminum bakeware can develop corrosion over time.
Your silicone bakeware will never rust.
This means you won’t have to worry about contaminants in your baked goods.
Pro – Your Silicone Bakeware Can be Versatile
You don’t have to use silicone bakeware only in the oven.
You can microwave silicon bakeware if you need to.
This makes it easy to heat previously baked cakes, pies, muffins, and other popular baked goods.
You can also place silicone bakeware in the refrigerator or freezer.
It’s a great way to make iced confections.
You can even use silicone shapes as jelly molds.
Con – You’ll Still Need a Tray
Because silicone is inherently soft, some trays and molds will still need to be placed on a hard sheet like an aluminum baking tray.
This will prevent twisting and spills.
It’s not so much a big deal, but it’s important to think about if you are buying bakeware for a new home or new kitchen.
You can use any type of reliable baking tray, like the ones in this Baking Sheet Set from Wildone.
Con – Silicone Won’t Last Forever
Durability is good with silicone bakeware, but the material will eventually degrade.
Heat damage occurs over time as the material is continuously exposed to high and cool temperatures in a cycle.
When this happens, the material can start to disintegrate and crack, and eventually needs to be disposed of.
Always check silicone bakeware for damage before you get started on your next recipe.
Quality materials will last anywhere from a year to three years or more, depending on how often you use your bakeware.
Con – You Need to use ‘Soft’ Utensils
Silicone bakeware is very easy to cut with sharp utensils, so you always need to use soft baking and cooking utensils.
That means that you should avoid metal spoons, forks, and knives when working with silicone bakeware.
The easiest way to get around this is to choose a Silicone Utensil Set like this one from Umite Chef.
The Bottom Line – Silicone Bakeware is a Great Choice for Home Baking
You can use silicone bakeware in many scenarios, and you will enjoy the benefits.
There are some downsides to silicone, but these are minor compared to the upsides, and they’re easily overcome.
If you want to get started with all the silicone bakeware you need, you can purchase everything in one set.
This Nonstick Silicone Bakeware Set includes items for cakes, loaves, and muffins, and there are even some basic utensils that are safe for silicone.
With all the advantages, it’s worth trying silicone bakeware in your kitchen today.
