A New Era in Bake Ware
by Niki Hampton
We have all grown accustomed to our conventional bake ware. Our trusty aluminum and non-stick bake ware that has never let us down, right? So, why change? Well, if we are honest with ourselves we will admit that “our trusty aluminum bake ware” is not even that. Baked goods stick if not properly greased and floured, our non-stick flakes and gets in our baked goods after wear and time. So, why are we putting ourselves through all this painstaking torture and wasted money? Because we are creatures of habit and the domestic goddess based on our mothers and grandmothers principles and there is a small part of us that does not trust the new “fandangle” bake ware, the silicone and stoneware (also known as stone bake ware) are beyond our realm, but there is hope. We, too, can learn to use these new inventions and learn that some (stoneware) are not new at all, but have been used for centuries. In this article we will go through the features, pros and cons of both silicone and stoneware so you can walk away with confidence in finding your next set of bake ware.
Stoneware
Stoneware is a type of ceramic defined by the way it is fired. Stoneware is man-made and durable. It is dense, impermeable and hard enough to with stand steel without scratching. This is not to be confused with earthenware, also another form of stoneware, and often used for the manufacturing of dish ware.
Stoneware is now being manufactured by a number of different companies and is available at most department and household retailers. Stoneware is porous and therefore needs to be “seasoned” before use to help protect it. You also can not use soap on stoneware for the same reason, it will absorb into the piece and can then get into your food.
The benefits of stoneware is a more even baking texture, is naturally non-stick and can be used over any variety of heat, from grill to oven. It is easy to clean, durable and a favorite among many professional chefs.
Though most stoneware is not dishwasher safe because of its porous texture, there is a new generation of stoneware just starting to reach the market that claims to be dishwasher safe. This next generation of stone bake ware is being offered by Heartstone Bake Ware Company and is taking stone bake ware to a whole other competitive level. They claim you can not only put their stoneware in the dishwasher, but that it is also non-stick (not a usual trait without heavy oiling) and does not require seasoning.
While, there are many pros and cons to the stone ware class of bake ware, it is worth investing in a few small pieces to try. I have a pizza stone and though I don’t use it often (I forget it is in my cupboard), I do find it makes a perfect Fococcia, crusty on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside.
Not confident that stone bake ware is for you? Consider silicone bake ware and all of its great properties.
Silicone
Silicone bake ware is exactly as it sounds, it is a silicone substance that is shaped into a common bake ware item, such as a loaf or muffin pan, and allowed to “cool”. The silicone is sealed to ensure durability in heat and still maintain flexibility in structure. The number one reason bakers everywhere are turning to silicone bake ware is the absolute non-stick surface. No need to grease and flour these pans allowing you to cut down on your preparation time and fat content.
Among other great benefits of silicone bake ware is the ease of storage since they are flexible, easy to clean, they come in a great assortment of colors and are available in every shape and size you could imagine. Think of how easy a molded dessert or shaped cake would come out in a silicone mold pan!
Wilton, the most well known company in the forefront of cake baking and decorating, offers silicone molds in more shapes and styles that you could ever use in one lifetime. That is one of the great benefits of silicone, no matter what the shape or size you need, it can be done and you will have a perfect mold every time.
While, the silicone will discolor a bit with use, there is no odor or flavor retention. You can throw them in the dishwasher, so no worries there and they can withstand temperatures of up to 675 degrees.
If I had one bad thing to say about silicone bake ware, it would be that you will still need an aluminum cookie sheet to set the silicone pan on for baking as they are floppy.
I hope that the next time you are frustrated with your aluminum bake ware, whether you are tired of uneven cooking, warped pans from the heat, stuck on food that won’t clean off or baked goods ruined from not coming out of the pan cleanly; that you will consider the benefits of silicone or stoneware bake ware.
