Silpat silicone baking mats are easy to use and make baking with sticky doughs for cookies, pastries, and candy a breeze. They can also be used when cooking savory items, such as meat and fish, as well as vegetables. This product is an alternative to parchment paper and is meant to be used without fat or oils. Silpat is the brainchild of French chemist Guy Demarle, who added a Fiberglass weave to silicone to develop this specialized product. The convenience of being able to have the items simply slide off once they have had a chance to cool is an attractive feature for anyone who has spent time in a kitchen. These products are not perfect, though, and if you are wondering how to remove smell from Silpat, this guide will give you some suggestions for keeping the silicone baking mats like new.
The problem with having a Silpat baking mat acquiring an aroma is that it may transfer the smell to whatever kind of food you are trying to bake on it. If you detect any kind of aroma coming from your mat, make a point of dealing with it right away so that you aren’t faced with the prospect of having to throw out a batch of baking goods or your meal because of it.
How to Remove Smell from Silpat Silicone Cooking Mats
1 Check Internal Oven Temperature with Thermometer
If you notice a burning plastic smell when using a Silpat mat, your oven may be operating at a higher temperature than what is indicated on the exterior dial. Placing a thermometer inside the oven the next time you use it will let you know whether the Silpat mat is smelly because your oven is operating at a higher temperature than the 480 degrees or so recommended by the manufacturer.
If, after your experiment, you discover your oven temperature is not the issue, contact the manufacturer. You may have bought a defective product that needs to be replaced, and the icky smell is an indication of that fact.
2 Baby Bottle Brush Clean-up
It’s possible you may need to give your Silpat a thorough going over to get rid of some embedded dirt to get rid of an unpleasant odor. If your regular cleaning routine has failed to keep it fresh, grab a baby bottle brush and give it a good scrubbing. The small end designed to clean the nipple should be compact enough to get into all the little nooks and crannies. Rinse thoroughly after scrubbing to dislodge any hidden gunk.
3 Run it Through a Dishwasher Cycle
Another way to ensure you make sure a Silpat mat is thoroughly clean is to run it through a cycle in your dishwasher. The combination of hot water and action from the unit’s revolving arms should be enough to effectively deal with any dirt dirt which may be causing a lingering aroma.
4 Baking Soda Soak
Since you’re going to be preparing food on the Silpat, you don’t want to be bleaching the you-know-what out of the sucker to get rid of a gnarly smell. Baking soda is an effective odor destroyer and but is completely gentle. Try soaking the Sipate in a solution of baking soda and water before washing it in dish detergent. Rinse thoroughly and let it dry. You can always follow with run through a dishwasher cycle if you want some extra cleaning power.
More Solutions for Dealing with Smelly Silpat Mats
1 If Your Silpat is Cut
If the Silpat mat is cut or punctured, it may start to discolor or give off a smell like rancid oil. Make a point of inspecting your baking mat regularly to make sure that it is intact and replace it if you notice any tears or holes.
2 Sweet and Savory Fix
Since Silpat mats can transfer the taste of the foods they are used for to the items themselves, a solution is to buy two of them. Use one for cookies and the like and save the other one for making French fries, meat or fish, and any foodstuffs that don’t fall into the treat category. This type of proactive approach, along with thorough and regular cleaning, can nip the smelly Silpat issue in the bud.
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