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Silicone Bakeware Review: KitchenAid, Le Creuset,
Silicone Chef, & Smartware

RV Kitchen Product Overview

RVers are quickly discovering the convenience of using silicone bake-ware to replace much of their old heavier, more difficult to store metal bake-ware. Silicone is all the rage in bake-ware! Silicone makes a great choice for making most of the cooking delights RVers enjoy, such as pies, cakes, cupcakes, breads, as well as roasts and meat loafs. These innovative baking pieces are crafted from completely recyclable non-toxic silicone.

Silicone bake-ware is temperature-resistant from -40 degrees to 500 degrees F, and you can take it directly from the freezer to an electric or gas stove, or microwave. Thermal conductivity of the silicone allows quicker baking times and 20% to 30% lower temperatures than metal bake-ware, which is ideal for propane RV stoves. Since most RV's do not have dishwashers, silicone bake-ware makes for snappy cleanup by hand and likewise can also be cleaned in the dishwasher at home or if you have one in your RV.

One of the most desirable features of silicone bake-ware for the RVer is its ability to bend and roll for easy storage, but always return to their original shape when you're ready to bake and it never rattles when you are going down the road. For the best results, place the silicone pieces on a baking tray when it's in the oven.

Of special note, it is advisable so as to keep silicone bake-ware in tip-top condition, do not use knives or pointed utensils directly on the silicone bake-ware pieces, avoid direct contact with fire and burners, and wash after use. Silicone pieces guarantee total hygiene preventing the sticking of food deposits and are always completely odor-free.

The Problem

used, as storage space is limited. With most kinds of cookware and bake-ware this is especially true in the compact RV kitchens. Easy clean-up is another issue always on the mind of the RVer, since usually it must be done by hand either during the cooking process or immediately following due to the limited space and generally small counter-top area found in most, if not all, RV kitchens.

The Solution

A unique solution to the above problems is using silicone bake-ware instead of metal. The convenience of using silicone bake-ware in the RV setting is unmatched. Most all items that can be cooked in metal bake-ware can also be cooked in silicone bake-ware, however when it comes to storage and clean-up metal is no match for silicone.

The silicone bake-ware can be bent and rolled up for easy storage in a drawer, yet always return to their original shape when ready for use. Silicone bake-ware can withstand temperatures from -40 degrees to 500 degrees, therefore can be taken from the freezer to the oven. The use of silicone bake-ware might take a little getting used to at first, but once you 'get the hang of it', I'm pretty sure that you'll love it, as I do. The clean-up is likewise fast and easy as food doesn't stick and it is always odor free.

Operation

The first time you use a piece of silicone bake-ware, rinse it with warm water and lightly pre-grease. Silicone bake-ware is nonstick and does not require pre-greasing or flouring after the first use. Silicone bake-ware allows for much greater thermal conductivity than metal bake-ware, therefore baking times are quicker using 20% to 30% lower temperatures. Follow the directions closely and always be aware that bake times are longer at altitude when you are traveling in the mountains or high deserts.