Pie crust, pizza dough, strudel: No matter what you're baking, the best pastry mats will help streamline your prep process and give you the most delicious results possible. To that end, you'll want to consider whether you want a pastry mat or pastry board and which materials you prefer to use.
Pastry Mats vs Pastry Boards
Your first choice will be between a silicone pastry mat and a traditional pastry board. Since silicone mats are heat-resistant, you can actually prep and bake on them, which cuts down on cleanup time and the use of baking sprays. They're also dishwasher-safe, odor-resistant, and roll up for compact storage. However, since most of them contain fiberglass, they're no longer food safe if the core becomes exposed while cutting with a knife.
Pastry boards are a more classic choice (think: Parisian patisserie), and materials like granite and marble have temperature-regulating properties that keep pastry cool while you're working with it. Some pastry boards — like granite — are oven-safe, but other materials, like wood, are not. And keep in mind: Pastry boards tend be more expensive, heavier, and require a bit more care and upkeep.
Pros And Cons
Silicone baking mats: As mentioned, these are low maintenance, oven-safe, and easy to clean.
Marble pastry board: Marble is an aesthetically elegant choice, with nonstick and temperature-resistant properties. It does however, require some gentleness, as it can chip, crack, and absorb oils.
Wood pastry board: A hardwood board is durable and makes for a great cutting surface. There is some upkeep involved, as it needs an application of butcher oil from time to time.
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