How and with what can you quickly clean a silicone mold after baking?
With the advent of special silicone molds, the baking process has become noticeably easier and more enjoyable. True, if you don’t know how to wash a silicone mold after use, you can quickly ruin the product or negatively affect the taste of dishes. Even before purchasing practical devices, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the basic rules for caring for the material. Despite the fact that this raw material tolerates high temperatures well and seems completely impervious to external influences, there are a number of limitations when working with forms that should not be forgotten.
Features of using silicone molds
Soft and elastic objects for making baked goods are easily removed from the finished product, dough does not stick to them, and dirt easily comes off under the influence of warm water. But these characteristics will remain relevant only as long as household appliances receive appropriate care.
To avoid having to scrub away traces of burnt oil from a surface that has become porous and unyielding, you must always follow the following rules:
- Before using the product, wash it in warm water with some detergent and dry it. After this, wipe the molds dry and grease them with a thin layer of vegetable oil.With further use, you no longer need to lubricate the inside of the products! If you ignore this rule, the material will gradually become covered with a coating of burnt oil.
- The use of caustic detergents is prohibited. They can lead to melting of raw materials and damage to products. During subsequent use, such forms will spoil the taste of baked goods and their appearance.
- Silicone actively attracts static electricity, so it quickly becomes covered with dust even when stored in covers. Before each use of the molds, they should be washed with warm water and dried.
- To thoroughly clean the product, it is necessary to process it from the outside, turn it inside out and process it again. This is the only way to clean out product remnants from all nooks and crannies.
- You can wash silicone only after it has completely cooled. It is highly undesirable to delay cleaning. The longer traces of berries, fruits, sugar and oil remain on the product, the higher the likelihood that they will attach themselves there very securely and create problems with cleaning.
If you follow these rules, then silicone molds will not have to be regularly cleaned of grease, plaque or specific brown spots. The products will not give off specific rubbery notes or burnt oil.
Silicone mold cleaners
If, as a result of improper use of the products, they are severely contaminated, then after removing the baked goods, you can try to solve the problem in one of the following ways:
- First, drip detergent onto the sponge and begin to treat the contaminated surface. The more water and foam, the better.If the thick coating does not want to come off, then soak the molds in a foamed cleaning solution for several minutes and repeat the manipulation.
- If ingredients with a strong odor were used during baking, you can use a weak vinegar solution to eliminate it. Soak the devices in the prepared liquid, wash them in the traditional way and dry them.
Tip: To prepare berry desserts, it is better to immediately purchase molds made of dark silicone. Traces of berry juice quickly penetrate the porous texture of the material and it is almost impossible to clean it. On the other hand, if they do not cause any inconvenience, you can continue to use the devices; the traces of juice will become lighter over time.
- Melted or burnt drops from dough, fat or sauce should be rubbed with a soft damp cloth and a small amount of baking soda. It is better not to use other abrasives, especially acidic ones, as they can damage the integrity of the silicone coating.
It is strictly forbidden to remove stains from the surface of the molds with nails, knives or other sharp objects. Do not use wire scourers or the thick sides of household sponges.
Professional pastes, abrasives and solvents are also prohibited. Do not experiment with products intended for cleaning the oven, stove or sink. They will not only harm the quality of the molds and affect the taste of the prepared dishes, but can also cause food poisoning.
If the stains are so ingrained into the surface of the material that they interfere too much with the cooking process, it is better to purchase new devices and ensure that they are properly cared for.