Silicone – Best Invention Ever!
I’m a huge fan of silicone. We saw it everywhere when we lived in Los Angeles and it seemed like nearly every household had sprung for the upgrade or was planning to in the near future! The price kept coming down as it became more popular and acceptable for daily use. Now it isn’t uncommon to see it in kitchens throughout the country in various shapes and sizes. Wait! What exactly are we talking about here? Yeah, I’m a pig.
Back to the subject at hand.
We’ve seen silicone kitchen utensils hitting the stores for the past few years. At first I thought they were a gimmick, but after using a friend’s silicone kitchen gloves I realized this material might change the way we all cook. Then I began seeing candy molds, cake molds, muffin pans – and more. Either they were made of silicone or were silicone-coated. I guess it is time to see if silicone performs as well in the kitchen as it does under a sweater. (Last one, I promise).
We elected to try out some standard muffin pans offered by OvenArt Bakeware and received them quickly through Amazon. As with any new product (silicone or not), it is a recommended practice to give them a quick wash in warm soapy water.
The instructions also called for greasing the cups, but I have always preferred a fine mist spray of canola oil instead.
As you can see, I had picked up a box of muffin mix from our local Walmart. This particular one is from Duncan Hines and is marketed as a more ‘natural’ line. We’ll see if they still taste ok…
Ingredients all gathered and we’re ready to mix. Muffin recipes in general aren’t much more than flour, eggs and oil with whatever flavoring you’re adding.
Since this was a standard-sized muffin pan, pouring was very easy. If I had used a mini-muffin pan, this thick mix might have presented me with some messy issues.
This particular mix is a cinnamon streusel and included a crumb topping that was spooned on top before putting it in the oven (400 degrees, 18 minutes).
So far this is a typical muffin-in-a-box tutorial, nothing too exciting unless you’re craving sugar right now. Here’s where this silicone muffin pan really made a difference.
Since they are flexible, once cooled you pop the muffins right out by just pushing from beneath. Try that with an old metal muffin pan!
But why this particular company? Why not just buy whatever is cheapest? Because not all silicone is the same! OvenArt offers one of the best guarantees in the industry with their OvenArt “Better Muffin” Guarantee for lifetime assurance against defects and performance issues. All of their pans are made with the highest quality 100% pure food-grade silicone. No fillers, stiffeners or chemicals that could leach into your food and no artificial non-stick coatings that you find on your metal pan – you know how horrible those can be. Silicone is naturally non-stick!
Right now you can pick one up on Amazon for 40% off (under $18) with free shipping! Use this exclusive coupon code to get an additional 50% off (6N3L9YEW)! That’s two for $18! Much cheaper than a pair in Los Angeles! Sorry, had one left in me.
Do you have any silicone (cookware) in your kitchen?
LOVE silicone baking products, they are so easy to clean! Your muffins look great!
Hi Scott! I do not have any silicone bakeware in my kitchen but your review is compelling. I think I’ll give the muffin bakeware a try!
I am not familiar with this product either sounds like everyone needs it in their kitchen. Thanks for the information, sounds like a bakers dream
This one convince me that Silicone product is a must for mothers.
Nice blog! Your muffins came out great! I have to try the muffin pan. Thank you for sharing.
Those look great. Seems easier to pop them out too! But I still would worry it would put chemicals from the silicone into my food.
Wow that looks like a great pan. I love that it is flexible.
My pans look hideous after the very first use, I need some of these!!
I love silicone. I agree that it really is the best invention ever, especially if you love to bake!
I do a lot of baking and the silicone pans are definitely my favorite. Your muffins came out perfect!
I totally want these! How easy they came out?!?! I hate it when my baked goods stick.
What great pan for baking. I really like how flexible they are. Gotta try and find these for my next baking project.
Oh I would love this!! They look like they worked great!
I love how well my silicone works! I use it when I bake cakes and cookies.
I have been wanting to get a silicone muffin pan! It looks so much easier than my old metal muffin pan.
I have been wanting to upgrade to a silicone muffin pan for the longest time. I heard that they cook more evenly, and I also love that they are dishwasher safe. My old metal muffin pan is not dishwasher safe!
Silicone molds are the best because the food doesn’t stick to it when you bake. I have some that are little star shape that I can use to make star shaped candies!! =)
I think silicone bakeware is probably the best invention ever! I’ve been using silicone muffin forms and bread forms for a while.
I love baking with silicone! Everything slides right out, and it’s so easy clean up!
I really want to try baking in silicone. It looks like it cleans super easy.
Gotta love silicone!
These look yummy. I’ve always considered investing in silicon, now I’ll have to seal the deal ;-).
I work the the silicone candy molds often and love how flexible they are to get the candies out. Plus cleanup is a dream!
I have yet to use silicon anything. It does make sense that it would be easier to remove say muffins from a silicon muffin then a metal one! Hum, maybe I will go and get one.
Aha! They look awesome!
Wow, those muffins look delicious! I have a silicon muffin pan and I’m really happy with it! Much better than the tin ones.
This shows you how long it’s been since I’ve been in the kitchen. I guess I didn’t know that things were being made from silicone. It sounds sensible enough though. I just might go ahead and replace those awful aluminum things with silicone, then give it to my husband to use. lol. Thank. Great review.
Amazing! Muffins look great!
I have been thinking about purchasing this kind of muffin pans but still haven´t. I think I shpuld finally get them 😀 Btw those muffins look absolutely delicious!
I need a new muffin pan and this one looks pretty awesome. Thanks for the tip!
Can you believe I have never used silicone for baking? In need this pan!
Those look great! I need to get a set! I’m tired of digging cakes out of mine! They just don’t work!
I have a similar one and love it! It makes my life so much easier! thank you for sharing it!
I love baking with my silicone baking dishes – they are so much easier to clean. Your muffins look so good, they are making me hungry! 🙂
Thakns for reviewing the silicon muffin pans – I’ve seen them around, but wondered how the muffins would bake out. To answer your question – yes, I’d love one of your muffins!
2 please! They look delic! I want to make them with my son – he would enjoy mommie time doing this.
I love these!!! I use a liner when I make cookies/bread/ect and it makes a huge difference!!
THE BEST! Seriously – those are amazing for baking!! Great review!
I’ve never thought of silicone baking but I bet the muffins slide out easily.
Jennifer @ The Jenny Evolution
We have mostly silicone baking products and we LOVE them! I cannot imagine using anything else now. I am glad you saved me one of those delicious looking muffins!
I love silicone baking products too!
I own a few silicone bake wear and they are amazing! Easy to clean and use. Best I say to use! If your gonna buy some invest in the good ones, don’t cheap out. These will last forever if you buy the right ones.
I have some individual silicone muffin cups, rather than silicone “pans” like yours, but I love how easy they are to use and to get the muffins out of when they’re done. And may I say your muffins look great!
I have a silicone baking mat and I do like it. Bottoms don’t brown as much, sometimes that is what I want other times not. I haven’t tried a silicone muffin pan yet!
I also love my silicone muffin molds . they are the best and muffins are removed so easily
I so agree with you, Silicone made a big difference in our kitchen. Now I cannot live without them.