Rather than have a cupboard full of rusty old baking pans that peel off to reveal aluminium, invest in a few quality baking pans and other tools, to last years. You’ll enjoy baking more, and get better results. Also invest in a few quality pots and pans.
This reusable silicone baking liner transforms baking trays to non-stick without oils. Made in Europe, it can withstand temperatures of up to 260°C. It’s dishwasher-safe, and you can also use it as an anti-slip work surface. Avoid contact with flames, heating elements and sharp objects – use with wooden utensils.
Cool bakeware before rinsing, to avoid thermal shock (cracking). For baked on stains, add 2 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda and 1 cup white cleaning vinegar and soak for 30 minutes, then wash (by hand), rinse and dry as normal.
Before baking, read up on food safety for people & pets (many human foods are unsafe around animal friends).
Heating any cookware (not just Teflon) is not safe around birds, but hopefully if you live with birds, they are in a nice aviary, rather than caged in a kitchen.
Reusable Silicone Baking Tools
WAFE is a quality brand of silicone baking mats and air-fryer liners, which can be washed and used again, to replace disposable parchment paper. It also makes silicone cake tins and oven gloves, which can withstand high temperatures.
Silicone is a food-grade item made from a blend of sand and fossil fuels. Unlike plastic, this won’t disintegrate into microplastics, and is easy to recycle.
These are extra sturdy, embedded with fibreglass fabric, and can endure a wide range of temperatures. Ideal for even heat distribution, you can also buy a matching pastry rolling mat for vegan pastry recipes (keep fresh dough away from children and pets). You can also use it as a place mat, as it’s so easy to clean.
Just rinse after use in warm soapy water or put in the dishwasher, to use again. Air-dry. And store using the enclosed silicone band.
This is a set of a cake and loaf tin, made from food-grade silicone. Designed to fold effortlessly, this pan tucks neatly away, making it the ultimate space saver. Ideal for fluffy breads to cakes and even savoury dishes like lasagne.
Reinformed with metal-supported silicone handles, it’s perfect for use in ovens, air-fryers and freezers. The non-stick surface ensures smooth release and quick clean-up, and is dishwasher-friendly. Ideal for novice bakers and seasoned chefs.
No more burnt marks or smells on fabric oven gloves. Unleash your inner chef with these silicone oven gloves, which are made for high temperatures, and can withstand heat up to up to 220°C. They are also designed to provide maximum coverage to your fingers, eliminating the risk of burns.
The finger protectors are perfect for handling hot plates, and they stay firmly in place, no matter how big or small your hands are. Easy to clean with soap and warm water, just air-dry.
These reusable silicone cupcake cases replace disposable paper cupcake cases. If you prefer disposable baking cups, If You Care brand is free from chemical coatings, sold in cardboard packaging.
Birmingham Bakeware (with lifetime guarantees)
Mermaid is a quality brand of bakeware, all sold with lifetime guarantees. Ideal if you like to create bakes and cakes, as one purchase is all you need. These use the excellent heat conduction of aluminium (which is also light) but then covers with an anodised coating that will never peel, so you can ditch your flaky non-stick trays.
Ceramic bakeware retains heat well, so use silicone or soft wood utensils, a good pair of oven gloves and cork cooling trivets. Do not use with plastic wrap, as it will melt!
The range is pretty affordable considering everything is sold with a lifetime guarantee and although the company offer a dozen or so products, you don’t have to buy all of them! Just buy the few that suit you best.
The range includes standard baking tins along with fluted tins for quiche, square tins for baking brownies and baking sheets which won’t buckle or warp in the oven.
The abrasion-resistant anodised layers are twice as hard as stainless steel, so are safe to use with metal utensils. Oven-safe up to certain temperatures and can also be used on non-induction hobs. Hand-wash only in warm soapy water.
