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How much do you know about the detailed classification of cake molds?
With the increasing number of baking classes and baking experts, home baking has become a trend. Many beginners often focus only on ingredients during the baking process, neglecting the choice of molds, which may lead to less-than-ideal final products. Molds, as important tools in baking, require considerable knowledge in their selection. Here, I will share some key points about mold selection for beginners.
【Fixed-bottom molds and loose-bottom molds】
Regardless of the material, cake molds come in fixed-bottom and loose-bottom varieties.
Loose-bottom molds have a removable base. When making many cakes, after separating the mold from the sides, the bottom can be gently pushed up for easy demolding.
Fixed-bottom molds, as the name suggests, have a fixed, non-removable bottom; the entire mold is one piece. They are generally suitable for cakes baked using the water bath method. Because the bottom is fixed, the mold can be directly placed in water. However, if a loose-bottom mold is used for a water bath, even if wrapped in tin foil, there is a possibility of leakage. Even if it doesn't leak, the heat insulation and poor heat conduction properties of tin foil can easily cause the bottom of the cake to become soggy and difficult to bake.
In summary, loose-bottom molds are more suitable for chiffon and sponge cakes that are difficult to demold, while fixed-bottom molds are suitable for various cheesecakes, yogurt cakes, and other water bath cakes.
【Classification of cake molds】
In terms of manufacturing process, the common types are anodized molds, non-stick molds, and hard molds.
In terms of shape, there are many more types. Common ones include round, heart, oval, square, and many other beautifully shaped molds. For birthday cakes, a basic round mold is usually necessary. Other beautifully shaped molds depend on personal preference.
Let's focus on anodized, hard, and non-stick molds.
The difference between these three types of molds lies in their surface treatment. To make metal molds more durable, environmentally friendly, and easy to clean, manufacturers perform surface treatments. Anodizing, hard coating, and non-stick coating are three surface treatment techniques used by manufacturers.
Anodized molds have the widest range of applications. Essentially, it involves forming a transparent electroplated film on the surface of the aluminum alloy, providing corrosion and oxidation resistance. The aluminum alloy is less likely to decompose and leach out, thus protecting both the mold and the user. This electroplated film is transparent, showing the original color of the aluminum product, but it is relatively soft and easily scratched. Avoid using hard objects when cleaning. Due to its relatively rough surface, it is very suitable for cakes to climb and rise, making it the most commonly used cake mold for home baking.
Hard molds, like anodized molds, involve surface film treatment of aluminum alloy molds. Their common purpose is to prevent the aluminum mold from releasing substances at high temperatures, providing isolation and protecting user health.
Hard molds are harder, with a black surface, scratch-resistant, and impact-resistant. They have non-stick properties and can absorb heat faster, effectively shortening baking time. However, hard coating and non-stick are not the same! The hard coating is a super-hard coating; cutting, scraping, or even washing with a steel wool ball will not leave scratches or marks. This feature is especially suitable for pie pans and pizza pans, allowing you to cut pies and pizzas directly without worrying about damaging the container.
In general, the surface treatment of hard molds has the following characteristics:
1. The surface hardness is harder than ordinary knives; its surface is wear-resistant, acid-resistant, alkali-resistant, and easy to clean.
2. The surface is grayish-black, with anti-radiation and heat absorption properties, which can shorten baking time and save costs.
3. Made of 1.0MM aluminum alloy, high strength, not easily deformed, ensuring stable product quality.
Non-stick molds spray a layer of non-stick coating on the base material to achieve a non-stick effect. High-quality non-stick molds are super non-stick and easy to clean, but because they use a coating for non-stick properties, their hardness is weaker, easily scratched by sharp objects, and their lifespan is shorter than hard molds. Due to the coating process, the high-temperature resistance is also reduced; the baking temperature should not exceed 280 degrees.
Non-stick coated molds are more delicate, so there are more precautions for maintenance.
Apply oil before each use of a non-stick mold to maximize its non-stick properties and extend the life of the coating. (Some coatings cannot use salad oil; pay attention to the instructions for use.)
Under prolonged high-temperature operation, the pores of the non-stick coating expand, and sudden cooling causes them to contract immediately. Similar to human skin, this traps residues in the pores, eroding the non-stick coating and eventually causing it to lose its non-stick properties. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the baking temperature below 250 degrees. After use, let it cool slightly before washing with water; do not immediately rinse with cold water.
Clean with a sponge or soft cloth. Never use rough sandpaper or steel wool, or metal spatulas for cleaning. Avoid strong collisions and friction that may damage or scratch the coating. Handle with care.
Category: A useful tip
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