Silicone Cookware

I stood in the cookware isle of my local department store early last year and wondered why they had stocked red, plastic children's play muffin pans in the wrong department. Since then, I've realized that those muffin pans weren't children's toys and were, instead, real cookware intended to be used in an oven. But, much as my Grandma was skeptical about using non-stick cookware in the 60s, I was resistant to trying the flimsy silicone bake ware offered in strange colors in the cookware isle.

Since I was initially hesitant to the idea of silicone cookware, I decided to do a little research. Here are a few facts that I found, which you can rely upon before you go shopping for silicone to replace your metal and glass bake ware:

• Easy to clean. Cleaning up after using silicone cookware is nearly effortless. Most times you simply need to rinse the product and food will come right off. Silicone cookware is flexible enough to twist and allow the food to pop right off of the surface.
• Dishwasher safe. Check the label when you buy silicone cookware to determine if it is dishwasher safe, but most silicone cookware is. After all, it will withstand oven temperatures, so it will withstand dishwasher temperatures, as well.
• Microwave safe. You can use most silicone cookware in any appliance where the cookware does not come in contact with either an open flame or a hot burner. You can use silicone cookware in microwave, convection, gas, and electric ovens.
• Get it anywhere. Silicone cookware is easily accessible since you can find it many places. Some locations I've spotted silicone cookware are WalMart, Target, Kmart, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Big Lots, Dollar General, and The Dollar Store.
• Flexible. Silicone cookware is exceptionally lightweight and flexible. Unlike glass and metal bare ware, you can literally roll, twist, and stuff a piece of silicone cookware anywhere. Consider replacing some of your rigid cookware with silicone cookware and save valuable cupboard space in your kitchen.
• Durable. Unlike metal baking dishes, silicone cookware will never rust or stain

While most silicone cookware is inexpensive, be wary of very cheap brands since most of them are produced with a filler inside. A good way to determine if your silicone cookware has fillers is to bend it or twist it. If you can see white in the middle of the material, and if the cookware doesn't snap back into shape, then it is cheaply made and includes a filler. Do not purchase silicone cookware that contains fillers.