Do I need to grease silicone molds before baking?

The main question for housewives starting to work with silicone molds is whether they need to be greased before baking?

Like any other baking material, silicone needs to be lubricated with oil or fat, but only before first use. The porous structure of the material will quickly absorb oil and retain it for a long time.

Before first use, thoroughly clean the inner surface. Often silicone molds have a complex pattern in which particles of dough can remain. To avoid this, turn the pan inside out so that the oil can get into the smallest imperfections.

Do I need to lubricate before each use?

Typically, a silicone mold does not require additional oiling. Not only can this be a waste of time, but it will also increase the calorie content of the finished product. There is also no need to put parchment, foil or paper cupcake molds on the bottom - the material will not allow the baked goods to stick to the walls without it.

An exception to this rule can only be surfaces with complex patterns or corrugations. It is better to lubricate such forms every other time and thoroughly rinse them from food residues.

If you are still afraid of food sticking to the walls, then before pouring, sprinkle them with a small amount of cold water.

If you decide to put your mold in the dishwasher or use chemicals to clean the surface, you will need to re-grease the entire inside of the surface before using it again.

Rules for caring for silicone molds

It is difficult to overestimate the positive properties of silicone: it is convenient to prepare, compact to store, and can be easily folded several times or turned inside out. Silicone products are inexpensive and are produced in a wide variety of sizes and designs, allowing you to create all kinds of desserts, jellies and jellied meats. But in order to avoid burning of the surface and increase the service life of the material, you need to follow several rules.

• After purchase and before first use, you must rinse the mold to remove any chemical film remaining on its surface.
• For washing, use only soft sponges. Hard brushes can damage fragile materials and disrupt the surface structure.
• After each use, the mold should be rinsed to remove food particles and wiped with a soft cloth.
• You need to remove the finished products by pulling the edges of the mold and gently pressing on the bottom so as not to deform it.
• If large pies have difficulty coming out of the mold, you can “help” them with a wooden or plastic spatula.

What is the best way to lubricate a silicone mold?

There are several types of cooking fats, including vegetable oil, butter and animal fat. There is no fundamental difference when lubricating a silicone surface, but for the first time it is advisable to use odorless vegetable oil.

Do not apply the oil in a thick layer or pour it inside.Excess fat will not only not be beneficial, but will also clog small surface patterns, which can spoil the appearance of the finished product.

If you have a cooking brush at home, then it is better to use it to apply oil. Alternatively, use a soft cloth or sponge.

Service life and mold quality

Before choosing a new culinary assistant, you need to understand how to choose the right product from all the variety displayed on the shelves.

Here are some tips for choosing the right silicone mold.

• You should choose only high-quality silicone molds. This will allow you to forget about re-greasing the mold for a long time and will prevent harmful substances from getting into your food.
• The most accurate way to check the quality of a product is its smell. If you smell a strong chemical odor, it is better to forget about this option.
• Give preference to thick-walled molds; thin material will not last long and will not be able to hold the geometry when pouring dough or jelly.
• Another way to check quality: bend the mold and inspect the bend - no white marks should appear there.

And the last piece of advice: when using a silicone mold in the oven for the first time, you need to reduce the baking time by 15-20%, since this material has high thermal conductivity and dishes are baked in it very quickly.