Baking

For most baking tasks, yes. Reusable silicone baking mats provide non-stick performance comparable to baking paper, are dishwasher safe, and last for years of regular use. They are not suitable for use under a grill or in very high-temperature applications above approximately 230 degrees Celsius. For grilling or high-heat use, unbleached baking paper is the better eco alternative.

Conventional white baking paper is bleached with chlorine compounds during manufacturing, producing dioxins as a by-product. Unbleached baking paper is brown in colour, processed without chlorine bleaching, and performs identically for all baking applications. It is the more environmentally responsible choice for any baking that requires single-use paper.

Silicone baking mats replace baking paper for most uses: roasting vegetables, baking cookies and biscuits, proofing bread, and lining cake tins. They are not suitable under a grill, for direct flame contact, or above their rated temperature. For lining round or shaped tins, cut-to-fit unbleached baking paper works better than a flat mat.

Food-grade silicone is considered safe for baking. It is stable at baking temperatures and does not leach chemicals into food. Look for products marked food-grade and avoid very cheap silicone products from unknown sources, which may use fillers. High-quality silicone bakeware is platinum-cured, which is the most stable and inert form.

A reusable silicone baking mat is the most sustainable option for flat trays. For loaf tins and round tins, a small piece of unbleached baking paper used repeatedly (it can be reused several times for dry baked goods like bread and cookies) reduces waste significantly compared to fresh paper for every bake.