Cooking is an integral part of life. Most people cook to feed themselves and their families. But for some originals, cooking is a hobby that helps them relax.
To facilitate the process of cooking, they come up with new devices, use new materials. In recent years, silicone cookware has become very popular. It is also used in baking.
Sometimes those who have started working with silicone have a question: is it possible to put a silicone mold in the microwave when cooking? This article will give you a detailed answer. Below are tips and tricks for the proper use of silicone cookware.
Can the silicone mold be microwaved?
Silicone molds can be used for baking, stewing and microwave baking. But always before buying, you should pay attention to the instructions for use. As a rule, it indicates whether the form can be used in the microwave or not. Assistant in this matter alsothe icon on the package in the form of a microwave oven will serve.
Form defines content
Microwaveable silicone mold. But when cooking in the microwave, you should give preference to dishes in the form of an oval or cylinder. When working with a microwave, use small containers. It is better to stop the choice on a wide, but shallow dish. This shape contributes to a more even distribution of heat.
For cooking pasta or cereals, large molds with an extension to the top are suitable. For baking, portion molds or dishes with high sides are used, because the dough rises higher in the microwave than in the oven. To simplify the process of working with baking, you should purchase forms with minimal decor, smooth edges and no bends. So you can get rid of problems when removing the dough from the mold and when washing dishes after cooking.
How to choose a silicone mold?
When buying silicone cookware, you should pay attention to a number of important characteristics:
- If there is no packaging, you can check how the form smells. If you feel a strong smell of rubber, chemistry, you should refuse to buy.
- Neutral colors should be preferred, bright colors tend to use unsafe chemicals. And the answer to the question whether it is possible to put the silicone mold in the microwave in this case will be unambiguously negative. The chemistry will evaporatewhen heated.
- When bending the product, there should be no white trace left at the fold.
- Country of production doesn't really matter. Quality goods are offered by both US and Belarusian manufacturers.
Advantages of silicone molds
The described products have enough advantages:
- The dough does not stick to the sides of the mold.
- A wide selection of sizes and configurations, patterns and patterns on the dishes.
- They are suitable for baking any kind of dough.
- In silicone, you can not only bake, but also bake, stew.
- The material is resistant to high temperatures, withstands up to 250 ° C, which gives greater freedom in choosing recipes and cooking methods.
- Silicone molds are easy to store: they can be folded, bent, twisted - they will return to their original form without deformation.
Recommendations for baking in silicone molds
We found out if silicone molds can be used in the microwave, but before pouring or placing dough in them, you need to grease the bottom and walls of the dish with vegetable or sunflower oil. The form should be installed on a stand, then pour the semi-finished product inside. Otherwise, there is a risk of spilling the contents when transferred to the microwave, because the walls of the form are very flexible. Here are a couple more tips:
- When preparing the dough to be baked in the microwave, make it more liquid than usual so that the finished product does not become dry after baking.
- Heating in the microwave passes throughdirection from edge to center. Because of this, the center of the product will bake longer. You can check the readiness of baking with a toothpick by sticking it into the product. If the toothpick is dry, the pastries are ready, if not, continue the cooking process.
- The ideal shape for microwave is round. If this is not on the farm, you should put a glass of water in the center of the container. In a square shape, the corners of the product may dry out.
- Don't overfill the batter as it will rise as it bakes.
- After removing the finished product from the microwave, it is allowed to stand for 5-7 minutes, after which it can already be pulled out of the mold. If the pastry is stuck, to release it, carefully bend the edges of the silicone outward with a spatula.
Please note that when cooking in the microwave, do not line the bottom with foil. Doing so may damage the equipment.
Rules for the use of silicone molds
When using silicone cookware, you need to follow a number of rules, then the product will last a long time:
- Silicone utensils are rarely sold in sterile and sealed packaging. It should be washed immediately after purchase to remove any dirt that could have clogged into the recesses. After washing, the product should be dried thoroughly before use or storage. No moisture should remain on the dishes.
- Before the first use, the form must be thoroughly greased with oil, preferably vegetable oil, and all depressions and recesses should be treated, leaving no dry areas. excess oilcan be poured. The form should be left greased for 10-15 minutes so that the fat is absorbed a little.
- Can I bake silicone molds in the microwave? If your microwave has a "grill" setting, silicone cookware will not work.
- No need to cut pastries directly in the form, and also pull out the finished product using metal tools. These actions will ruin the dishes.
- Do not store silicone near a heat source.
- The use of aggressive cleaning products and hard sponges will cause premature wear of the material.
- Silicon should not come into contact with open flames.
Now readers know: is it possible to put the silicone mold in the microwave. And the rules outlined in the article will facilitate cooking in a microwave oven and extend the life of silicone utensils.
