Swap limitless rolls of baking parchment for a simple to make use of, reusable baking mat that can final the take a look at of time. We should always all be dedicated to utilizing fewer single-use merchandise, and one of many quickest and best methods to make use of much less is to take a look at the objects we use on daily basis. For normal baking parchment and even tin foil customers, a superb different comes within the type of a silicone baking mat.
Not solely do baking mats put off the necessity for baking parchment and tin foil, in addition they change oils and non-stick sprays.
Out there in two most important types, the silicone baking mats on this record fall into two classes: woven canvas or fibre glass sheets with a silicone coating, or single sheets of silicone. Although there isn’t an excessive amount of distinction between the 2, we discovered when testing that meals cooked on mats that had been a single sheet of silicone wanted a couple of minutes longer within the oven.
For macaron, cookies, eclair and meringue cooks, most of the manufacturers on this record have mats with stencils for a variety of scrumptious patisserie to make sure even, professional-quality outcomes. These mats are additionally very best for rolling out pastry for tarts and pies. Lots of the mats we examined are additionally freezer, microwave and dishwasher-safe, too.
So how lengthy does a silicone baking mat final? There’s no actual reply to this query because it depends upon how usually you employ it. We’ve seen warranties vary from one 12 months to a few years, so not solely are they an ideal eco different, they can even prevent cash in the long term.
For much more of one of the best baking tools, learn our greatest piping baggage, greatest springform cake tins, greatest loaf tins, greatest tart tins and greatest bundt tins evaluations. For the perfect truffles, breads and meringues, the greatest stand mixer evaluations showcase all of the must-have equipment.
Finest silicone baking mats at a look
- Finest silicone baking mat: Silpat silicone baking mat, £15
- Finest versatile baking mat: Bake-O-Glide silicone confectionary mat, £12.99
- Finest Silpat different silicone baking mat: Amazon Fundamentals silicone baking mat, £10.97
- Finest massive silicone baking mat: ProCook silicone baking mat, £9
- Finest silicone baking mat with guides: Lakeland silicone cookie and macaron baking mat, £9.99
- Finest finances silicone baking mat: Masterclass versatile non-stick silicone baking mat, £10.90
- Finest silicone baking mat multipack: FOLAI 4 items silicone baking mats, £10.99
Finest silicone baking mats to purchase 2022
Silpat silicone baking mat
Rating: 5/5
Finest silicone baking mat
Relating to silicone baking mats, Silpat proves the unique is all the time greatest. Produced from silicone and fibreglass, this has been the mat of alternative for cooks and residential cooks alike because it was first invented in 1965 in France, and the place it is nonetheless made to today.
Silpat mats are famed for his or her top quality efficiency and this one did not disappoint in take a look at, producing evenly baked, comfortable cookies that had been straightforward to take away from the mat.
Nifty however easy options, just like the diagonally reduce corners, had been a welcome addition that made eradicating the mat from the pan very straightforward. Though this mat prices greater than most of the cheaper examples accessible, we consider it is price each penny.
Out there from:
Divertimenti (£15)
Amazon (£26.24)
Bake-O-Glide silicone confectionary mat
Rating: 5/5
Finest versatile baking mat
From American model Bake-O-Glide, this silicone baking mat doesn’t look too dissimilar to the Silpat mat. The one main visible distinction is the dearth of diagonally reduce corners.
We notably rated this mat for its versatility. It might probably face up to temperatures from -40C as much as 250C, which means it’s freezer-safe. There are additionally mats accessible with macaron, cookie and meringue stencils on.
All our take a look at cookies had been evenly baked and unfold very minimally on the mat. Our solely gripe was the unnecessary plastic packaging.
Out there from:
Ocado (£12.99)
Bake-O-Glide (£17.95)
Amazon Fundamentals silicone baking mat
Rating: 4.5/5
Finest Silpat different silicone baking mat
These Amazon Fundamentals silicone baking mats are related in design to the Silpat. Slightly than a purple trim, these function a gray exterior and so they have the identical reduce corners because the Silpat.
A great number of different-sized baking mats and mats with macaron stencils can be found on this vary, although we tried out the usual 30cm x 40cm pack of two. They’re oven-safe as much as 250C.
In take a look at, these baking mats carried out nicely, producing the still-gooey cookies we had been searching for. The underside was totally cooked and every cookie launched simply from the mat. Do remember, although, that we seen a definite chemical odor coming from the mat after we’d cooked on it.
ProCook silicone baking mat
Rating: 4.5/5
Finest massive silicone baking mat
This mat from ProCook is one single sheet of silicone versus a woven one. We rated it for the wealth of helpful measurements and cooking conversions printed on it.
Measuring 49.5cm x 39.5cm, this mat is bigger than most traditional baking trays. The truth is, we had some overhang after we got here to baking. The dearth of open weave meant our cookies took somewhat longer to bake than anticipated. They wanted round two minutes additional within the oven, after which we couldn’t fault the outcomes.
We rated the added versatility of this baking mat. As a result of round guides within the centre and numerous helpful measurements across the exterior, this mat is a good alternative for eager pie and tart makers, too.
Out there from
ProCook (£9)
Lakeland silicone cookie and macaron baking mat
Rating: 4.5/5
Finest silicone baking mat with guides
This putting, shiny blue double-sided baking mat is a superb alternative for individuals who prefer to get inventive with macaron flavours or all the time have a batch of cookies on the go. Related in fashion to the ProCook, this mat can also be constituted of a single sheet of silicone. It has small circles on one facet which are good for macarons, with rings of various sizes on the opposite facet – very best for cookies or mini pies.
It measures 30cm x 40cm and was an ideal slot in our normal baking tray. For added ease, this mat can also be freezer, microwave and dishwasher-safe.
The take a look at cookies had been somewhat undercooked after the designated 11 minutes, however solely wanted one other minute to cook dinner by. Every cookie was evenly baked and straightforward to take away from the mat. It additionally comes with a three-year guarantee.
Masterclass versatile non-stick silicone baking mat
Rating: 4.5/5
Finest finances silicone baking mat
We discovered this silicone baking mat just a few millimetres thicker than the others on this record, however beloved it for its versatility. It might probably go within the microwave, fridge or freezer, and it is even dishwasher-safe. Masterclass additionally claims the mat will last as long as 1000 makes use of.
This mat was a cosy slot in our baking tray and straightforward to take away after baking. The thickness of the mat meant our cookies wanted a minute longer than the opposite woven baking mats, however our cookies unfold in a fair and managed method, and had been very straightforward to take away.
FOLAI 4 items silicone baking mats
Rating 4/5
Finest silicone baking mat multipack
When you’re after bang on your buck, this multipack of silicone baking mats is an honest alternative. Included within the pack are 4 different-sized mats, the biggest measuring 37cm in size and the smallest measuring 25cm. This set additionally comes with a useful silicone brush, which is beneficial for glazing bakes.
Every of the mats options inches and centimetre measurements across the perimeter. Two of the mats have stencils for macaron and cookies.
These mats had been noticeably thinner and poorer high quality than among the others on this record. We additionally struggled to search out any details about their versatility, which means it was unclear whether or not they’re dishwasher or freezer-safe.
Though we could not fault the cookies we baked, there was a noticeable plasticky/chemical odor after we cooked them.
How we examined silicone baking mats
We put these silicone baking mats to the take a look at by baking up a batch of scrumptious chocolate chip cookies. We ensured the cookies had been evenly spaced to permit for some pure spreading, although we didn’t need mats that allowed the cookies to unfold too far both. To make sure there was no distinction within the cookie dough combine, we made one massive batch of dough and, for added precision, every cookie was weighed out to 60g.
All of the silicone baking mats had been examined in opposition to a standardised standards beneath managed situations within the olive take a look at kitchen. Every mat was scored in opposition to the next standards:
- High quality of design and options: we appeared for sturdy silicone baking mats with nifty options like reduce edges, to make the mat straightforward to take away from the pan, plus weights and measurements printed onto the sheet.
- Versatility: whereas there’s not a lot versatility available in the case of a silicone baking mat, people who had been capable of go within the freezer, microwave and dishwasher scored just a few additional factors.
- Worth for cash: we requested whether or not the value of the silicone baking mat was in step with its efficiency.
- Outcomes: silicone baking mats that match simply into a normal 45cm x 33cm pan had been preferable. We additionally appeared on the remaining bake: all cookies had been baked for 11 minutes on the similar temperature. We checked how cooked by the cookies had been, noting in the event that they had been undercooked. Whereas we anticipated to see some pure spreading happen, any mats that turned our cookies into flat puddles had been scored down.
- Look of ultimate bake: Everybody is aware of what a great cookie seems like! Crisp and cooked on the underside, mild spreading and nonetheless barely gooey within the centre.
To seek out out extra about how testing home equipment and instruments is completed at olive, head over to our how we take a look at web page.
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