cleaning silpats

[aquinas_chris]

What's the correct way to clean and dry these? I snagged my mum's and don't have the instructions. It just never 'feels' clean.

thanks!

[lonetree1353]

I found this on the internet:

Maintenance and Care
Wipe the Silpat® with a damp sponge after each use to remove crumbs or particles. If washing is required, lay the Silpat® in the sink and run warm water over surface. Use a Demarle approved detergent or a mild soap with a soft sponge to clean the surface. Do not use any scrapers or hard brushes to clean the Silpat®. Shake off excess water and hang or lay flat on surface to dry.

Storing
Store the Silpat® flat on a tray, hang them with a clothing pin, or roll them up (do not fold or place heavy objects on top of rolled Silpat®).

Precautions
- Never cut or use sharp objects on the surface.
- Do not fold or store in a folded position.
- Do not grease.

[JenniferDV]

I usually clean mine in hot soapy water, then air dry. They never feel clean to me either. I guess because they're supposed to be stick-proof, so they always feel greasy??

[Gecko]

I can't remember where I read this (possibly here-I'm almost certain it was?) that when a silpat feels greasy you can sprinkle cornstarch over it and let it sit. The cornstarch absorbs the grease and then you can gently wash it in warm soapy water.

[tbb113]

I live dangerously. I throw it in the dishwasher on the top rack. So far, so good

[krhm]

On the same topic...is anyone else's Silpat getting discolored? I have some dark spots that have appeared on both of mine. They're about 2 years old (I think) and I typically clean them with hot soapy water then air dry.

[CathyT]

I've always washed mine with a little soap and warm water, using a soft sponge. It does feel a little sticky but not greasy, but that's how it feels when it's brand new (I know because I just got another one - now I have 6!).

Here's a storage tip: I keep the cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels and then roll up the Silpat and store it on the inside of the tube. It takes up less space and keeps it from being scratched.

Cathy
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[syzygy]

Whenever mine start to feel greasy, I use either cornstarch or baking soda to clean it and it always does the trick!:)

[gabbyh]

I'm probably the last one in the world to get these, and I'm trying to use a coupon at cooking.com, but all they have are exopat and cook-eze...are either of these just as good as silpats?

~Gail

[biondetta]

I have an exopat that I got last year for cheap off amazon and so far I've been completely happy with it. I know nothing about the differences, so I can't tell you if one is better than the other. However, I'd very happily buy another exopat. I've used it for various baking items and not found any problems so far.

[aquinas_chris]

all good advice. thanks. I love the paper towel tube idea... mine always comes unraveled in the drawer. I will have to do that. And of course it's something as simple as baking soda, why didn't I think of that? I use that stuff to clean EVERYTHING!

[HealthyinMN]

Originally posted by gabbyh
I'm probably the last one in the world to get these, and I'm trying to use a coupon at cooking.com, but all they have are exopat and cook-eze...are either of these just as good as silpats?

~Gail

I have had good success with the exopats. I have both (silpats and exo's) and they both seem pretty much the same to me.

[Beth]

I think I have a silpat, and exopat and another brand -- haven't really noticed any significant differences in them (size, markings, etc. are a little different, but that's obvious).

[gardenmom]

It's interesting that the silpat manufacturer recommended using a certain type of cleanser on a occasional basis. I find that my silpats have picked up the taste of the Palmolive soap despite lots of hot water rinsing, and rinsing and drying again prior to use. -YUCK.

I think I have soaked mine in baking soda water, but maybe I'll give it a go again.

I shudder to think what the dishwasher detergent would taste like. Maybe my taste buds are really sensitive. My husband just made crackers last week on the silpat, and they tasted like dish soap.

I would wash them as needed with baking soda, as some have recommended, if and when I get new ones.

I also find the greasy buildup starts to have a rancid taste that transfers onto the baked goods (And I use them for oven roasted potatoes and cookies so a sweet and savory taste kind of transfers onto them).

So I let my silpats sit for the most part and I now use parchment.

Thanks for this thread, maybe I can salvage them.

[CindySoCal]

I may be the last person on these boards not to have these...I have always used parchment paper, maybe I need to pick some up :)
Thanks for the tips, I think the paper towel tube is a GREAT idea :)

[rburganmckinley]

Silpats are made of silicone. Silicone when heated will release some oils for a while until they are baked out. This is normal, and is what makes silicone such a great non-stick surface. You could try baking them empty at a relatively low temp for a while and see if that helps. That is how we get rid of the oils on silicone items at work. That said, once you get silicone oils on something, there is virtually nothing (cleaner wise) that will get it completely off.

[CathyT]

I love a hearing the scientific viewpoint. Thanks for the tip - any suggestion for how long and at what temp?

Cindy - I'm glad you like the paper towel tube idea!

Cathy
_____________________________
Check out original recipes and more on my blog!

http://photos16.flickr.com/20817968_c04686de9d_m.jpg (http://www.chieffamilyofficer.blogspot.com)

[jroseanne]

I recently received my first Silpat as a wedding gift, how do you dry it? Drip dry? Hang dry? Wipe down? I just can't seem to get the thing dry in the dish rack.

[Judy K.]

I roll mine in a clean dish towel to absorb most of the water, then prop it up in its side on the cabinet behind or between the cannisters or whatever. It dries quickly in our dry climate. I don't know how this would work in a place with more humidity. I think it would just take longer to dry.

[merley]

I like the paper towel roll idea. I've been storing mine flat between two cookie sheets. I really like using them , I wash them with soap and water and air dry. I never found they made baked goods taste like soap.

[jules1993]

Interesting topic and very timely. I just made acorn squash on mine last night and now have a big yellow/green stain on the silpat that I can't seem to get rid of. Any ideas on how to clean it? The good news is that it doesn't smell so I can still use it for cookies, etc. But, it does have a circular stain on it that just doesn't look good.

Thanks.
Julie

[jroseanne]

I roll mine in a clean dish towel to absorb most of the water, then prop it up in its side on the cabinet behind or between the cannisters or whatever. It dries quickly in our dry climate. I don't know how this would work in a place with more humidity. I think it would just take longer to dry.

Thanks Judy K! I'll try rolling it in a dishtowel next time and see if it dries faster.