Bizarre Rubber Bakeware

About 3 years ago I was given a HUGE set of that rubbery bakeware as a birthday gift. I had not used it untill last week because I was initially a bit freaked out by the whole concept. However after having tried it out with my usual banana bread, I must say WOW!!! I will never bake my bread in anything else again. After cooling the bread popped right out of the pans (can you call them pans?) as easy as anything, and they clean up SO well. I will recomend these little gems to anybody

ADDED NOTES

I think it may depend on the brand used. I had one pan that was made by Tupperware (I think?) and it was awful, it smelled bad baking too. These ones are thicker, and bright blue (can't remember brand) they do say to put a cookie sheet underneath. I also lightly sprayed them with Bakers Joy baking spray before putting bread in it. I have since used them for a meatloaf and again had success, there was a nice crispy crust and they popped right out.

Are you talking about the silicone bakeware?  I've been wondering about it myself.

 I was given a silicone bread pan and first off did not like the feel of it but thought I would give it a try. The bread looked anemic! I sell my baked goods

and nobody wanted it because it just didn't look done. I tried it a couple more times and then gave it away.

I then actually bought a couple madaline silicone pans and same thing; I sold those at a garage sale (for quite a loss). I will just stick to my good,

old fashioned bakeware.

Like JessCostello you either like silicone or you don't. Just wanted to share my experience with you.

Definitely one of those love it or hate it items.  I'm in the 'hate it' category.

Got some as a gift some years back.  Gave it a try.  Stuff stuck worse than it ever has in a regular pan, no color or crispness to the crust.  They're difficult (read dangerous) to pick up because they're so flimsy and the instructions say not to put them on a cookie sheet for baking.  When your stuff sticks to them, you can't use anything sharp to pry it out.  You can't (according to the instructions) spray them with cooking spray to avoid the sticking.  Just too many negatives from what I experienced with them.  And the pieces I was given were one of the top brands in that stuff.

And on top of that, there are serious health concerns being discussed regarding cooking silicone. 

Did find one good use for the muffin pans, though.  I line them with cupcake papers so my food doesn't touch or stick to the silicone, and use them to make individual cheesecakes in the microwave (only takes 4-5 minutes nuking time).

Callie - that's odd, because mine say TO put them on a cookie sheet for stability.  I spray or grease, plus flour mine just like regular pans, as well, per recipes.

I've also never had a problem with sticking or lack of browning/crisping.  I bake cakes, breads and muffins (yeast and quick/batter) in mine all the time.  I also haven't had a problem with the sheet (like a sil-pat) for cookies or panless breads.

I let my product cool in them on a cooling rack for 10 minutes, then flip it out.  Everything I've made just pops right out.  I've had my set  since they first came out in stores.

I have always read to place the silicone mat on a cookie sheet to bake .I love the mat, my cookies come out great (I have a bunch of the mats).The cake pans I am not sure about.  I got one in the shape of a big hersheys kiss with a recipe for choclate cake, it worked OK but nothng to write home about. Overall, I prefer a regular pan for cakes, meatloaves, etc.