Silicone products are gaining popularity over recent years due to their durability, heat resistance and easy cleaning. Professional grade silicone has become an essential element in many industries such as medicine, aviation and manufacturing. Not surprisingly, silicone has found its way into the culinary world of baking as well.

Non stick baking mats made from silicone and fiberglass and have quickly become an essential item for bakers. Using a good quality sheet mat while baking can reduce the amount of oil required to prevent food from sticking and also eliminate the need for single use baking paper. They are a range of baking mats & liners to fit variety of oven trays and different size silicone baking sheets.

What is food grade silicone baking sheet? 

Silicone is a type of polymer that is non-toxic in nature. Food grade silicone is widely used in kitchen utensils. It is made from silica, or sand. 

Are silicone baking mats safe to use?

• Does not leach chemicals: Unlike plastic, Silicone is BPA free. It does not leach harmful chemicals and microplastics into our food.
• Eco friendly: Environmentally friendly baking mats work similar to parchment sheets. They are a better option as they are reusable. We can significantly reduce kitchen waste by switching to eco-mats.
• Anti-bacterial: The wear and tear of plastic utensils creates small crevices inside them. These are then harboured by germs. This problem does not arise with silicone rolls due to their smooth surface.

How hot can silicone baking mats get?

• Each silicone sheet comes with manufacturer’s instructions on how hot it can get. It is best to follow the manual for best results. 
• Typically, baking sheets are designed to withstand 260-280 degree Celsius. 

Pros and Cons of using Silicone Cookware

Here are some of the pros and cons of silicone cookware.

Pros

• Saves Space: Foldable mats made of silicone are easy to stack in cupboards. 

• Ease of use: These cooking mats can be cleaned by hand or dishwasher alike. 

• Stain and odour resistant: If a cookware is not stain-resistant it will attract microbial growth. Thus, silicone is safe to use. 

• Durability: Rubber silicone mats can last for 2-4 years with proper care. 

• Reduces bottom burns: Baking sheets provide an even surface for cooking. This ensures that heat of the oven is evenly spread, reducing chances of burnt cookies etc. 

Cons

• Development of cracks: Using abrasive brushes to clean may puncture silicone-made bakeware. 
• Damaged by heat: Silicone liners are made to withstand as much as 260 degrees Celsius. They get damaged when used on stove burner, broiler etc.  

How do you clean silicone baking mats?

Cooking and cleaning go hand in hand. There are many ways to clean your favorite baking mat. It is best to read the instructions given by the manufacturers before you follow the below mentioned methods. 

1. Wash by hands: Let your mat soak in a warm soapy water for 10-15 minutes. Gently scrub off the grease using a washcloth. 
2. Wash using dishwasher: A good quality baking mold is dishwasher safe. Lay the mold on the low rack and its done! A normal cycle effectively cleans the mat. 
3. Use baking soda and vinegar: Sprinkle a tablespoon of baking soda on the baking dish. Gently scrub the stains and leave it for 20 minutes. You can use a paste of baking soda and vinegar for tough stains. Wash the mat with warm water to finish.

List of Some of the Best Silicone Mats

We have complied a list of the best nonstick silicone baking mats which are non stick and easy to clean.

Little Pepino Reusable Baking Mats ($29.95)

Little Pepino’s reusable silicone mats provide a great alternative to single use baking paper and help to reduce kitchen waste. Available in the fun shades of teal and mustard, these baking mats can withstand temperatures of up to 250 degrees Celsius.

Little Pepino mats have acquired a good reputation due to their versatility. You can use silicone mats for roasting and they also fit perfectly in a circular cake tin! Their sets of 40cm x 30cm includes 2 mats. When you are finished with your mats you can send them back to be recycled via Terracycle's Zero Waste Box program. You can tailor the mats according to your needs.

Go For Zero Silicone Mats ($28.95)

The non-stick reusable baking mats by Go For Zero come in a stunning shade of peachy pink. Their large silicone baking mats can be used to knead dough, roll out pastry or fondant and can withstand temperatures between -40°C to 220 °C.

Made from non-toxic LFGB certified silicone, which has stricter and safer testing standards than FDA approval. Go For Zero stocks products from Australian owned brands to support its local community.

BeEco Silicone Baking Mats ($14.95)

The multipurpose silicone baking mats by BeEco are a great addition to a zero-waste kitchen. Use them as placemats to knead dough or cook any of your favourite baked treats. Made from food-safe silicone these 30cm x 40cm reusable baking sheets are available in visually pleasing shade of aqua and classic black.

The silicone baking mat set offered by BeEco includes two mats. This innovatively designed bakeware provides even heat distribution, ensuring your baked goods are evenly cooked. They are oven safe up to 230°C, FDA & LFBG approved food grade silicone. BeEco is committed to limiting all unnecessary packaging so their mats come neatly rolled in acid free FSC paper which is biodegradable.

Seed & Sprout Un-Baking Paper ($29.00)

The Un-Baking Paper by Seed & Sprout is perfect for all your cooking needs. Their eco-baking mats come in different shapes that can fit any baking tin or plate. All the Unbaking papers are offered in a set of 2 to promote the sustainable switch.  Rectangle baking rolls are perfect to knead dough and roasting. Their dimension of 40cm x 30cm will fit standard size trays. The square greaseproof mats have a dimension of 30cm x 30cm which also complies with standard size square trays. The square baking mats are great to roll kimbaps too! The most loved baking sheet by Seed & Sprout is the round shaped one. This set comes with two different sizes of 20cm and 25cm. These are perfect for making cakes and pizzas. 

Seed & Sprout has a strict quality check system. All the silicone baking products are food safe and LFGB certified. These multipurpose sheets are safe to use under the grill, provided the temperature is below 250 degrees Celsius. Moreover, at the end of lifespan, you can send your mats back to be recycled via their Silicone Take Back Program. 

Activated Eco Baking Mats ($29.95)

Eliminate the use of single use aluminium sheets and parchment paper with Activated Eco’s liners. They are flexible enough to be used as food wraps too! With a temperature range of -30 degrees Celsius to 240 degrees Celsius, you can use the mat is fridge and ovens. Their quality would not be affected by temperature change. Their 40cm x 30cm size perfectly lines oven trays. 

The mats are free from BPA and  PVC, a chemical that can cause cancer. You may notice slight discoloration when the mat is used for roasting vegetables etc. Simply soak the mat is a solution of water and baking soda or toss into dishwasher to get rid of any stains. Avoid folding the mats after use. Roll and stack them in the cupboard instead. Overall, Activated Eco Mats are a great addition to eco-kitchens. 

Ever Eco Silicone Sheets ($24.95)

The signature charcoal grey of Ever Eco’s baker sheets is great to minimise discolouration. These rectangle mats come in sets of 2 with 30cm x 40cm dimension. The tray sheet can be used to roll dough, roast veggies and more. The baking mats are both oven and freezer safe. Their non-stick surface makes them easy to clean and makes unmounting easy too. Cookies and breads can stick to al-foil and baking paper even after using a lot of oil. Ever Eco’s Baking Mats make the entire process hassle free. 

Ever Eco is one of the most loved Aussie brands that supports local business. Their kitchenware is FDA approved. These multipurpose mats are a great addition to zerowaste households. 

ProAussie Pastry Mats ($18.99) 

The non-slip baking mats by ProAussie have a thick surface that allows them to withstand temperature till 230 degrees Celsius. These mats are a perfect eco gift for beginners as they come with pastry measurements. The mats are made from a combination of fibre glass and silicone which provides them additional durability and flexibility. ProAussie Silicone mats are applauded for their versatile use. You can use them as placemats, art mats and worktable mats. The mats have a size of 40cm x 60cm. Moreover, these quality baking mats are backed by lifetime warranty!   

Wiltshire Silicone Baking Mats ($13.00)

Wiltshire’s Art of Baking brings a range of affordable baking tools for budding home bakers. One of such tools that is essential for zerowaste bakers is the silicone pan liner. These are ideal to be used for kneading and baking. This will save you time that would be used to clean multiple dishes. 

The 40.5cm x 30.5 cm liners can be used under a heat of 220 degrees Celsius. It is advised to either wipe them with a natural kitchen cloth or wash them with warm water after use. The mat comes in an eye catching pastel pink. Their large size allows it to cover maximum work area without any spills outside. 

 A Zero-Waste Way of Baking

For any eco-family, using green products that are safe for their family and kind to the planet is the priority. Silicone mats are a useful and versatile reusable item that will be well used in your kitchen. As they are non-stick, cleaning them is a hassle-free job and you eliminate the use of toxic cleaners. With more people ditching single use baking paper, you can find them in many good online eco-friendly stores in Australia.