So when I was approached by Engstrom Trading, the distributors of TFX, to review their non-stick baking sheet, I was dubious - at best.
I decided to really put the sheet through its paces to see if I could find fault with it. If I was going to put my stamp of approval on it - then I was going to come just short of abusing it.
The test product is the 17" x 13" All-In-One kitchen Sheet - which fits any baking / cookie sheet. the material is a food-safe coated fiberglass, heat resistant to 500 degrees.
Out of the box, its about the same thickness and weight of a sheet of parchment paper, which is a major plus over the bulky, hard to store Silpats. I imagine my kitchen is like most everyone's, never enough storage for all the things I use on a regular basis. The TFX Sheet can be easily rolled and stored right along with your plastic wrap and foil.
The tests I lined up were to really see what the sheet could do. Each of the following were performed with NO additional oil or grease:
Melted Cheese Tuiles - Cookie Sheet on Infared Cook-top
The cheese lifted off easily
Fried Eggs - over medium and hard fried -Cookie Sheet on Infared Cook-top
Lifted off cleanly with a spatula
Cookies - Cookie sheet in 375 degree Oven
Cookies lifted off the sheet with a spatula, no resistance
Gluten Free Bread - Spring Form Pan - Oven
I utilized a Gluten-Free mix due largely to the inherent stickiness of the dough. The sheet was folded inside the form to lip up on the edges and filled. After the form was released, the sheet released from the bread without a hitch.
Pancakes - Cookie Sheet in Infared Cooktop
25 Pancakes - no oil - 100% perfect.
Dry Cooked Salmon (Skin Side Down) Base of a Stainless Saute Pan
Even with the skin browning and crisping, the fish slid off when the pan was tilted.
(I did cut the sheet to make it fit in the pan)
Steak - Pan Fried - Base of a Stainless Saute Pan
Once again, perfect release, no burnt-on residue
25 Sink Washings
The sheet does begin to crinkle a bit after numerous washings but it does not affect the performance of the material.
50 Dishwasher Washings
Getting the sheet to stay put in the dishwasher is the biggest bother. I ended up stacking glassware on the edges in the top basket. The sheet cleaned well and performed as usual when dry.
Like Silpats, the TFX sheet doesn't last forever. The packaging and the company website both state they're good for about 1000 uses. I, obviously, haven't put that statement to the test, but even if it comes a little short of the longevity mark, it's still a worthwhile product to add to your kitchen.
All - in - all, I'm extremely impressed with the performance with the baking sheet. And, at around $10 it's hard to beat for care-free baking and cooking.
Look for the TFX Non-Stick sheets at your local Whole Foods. (The one here in the area carries a pretty good supply of them.) or you can buy one in the Kitchen Fodder section of my blog.
If you would like more information on the TFX Non-Stick Baking Sheet, visit the company website at http://www.engstromtrading.com/ET/TFX_Non-Stick!.html
Happy Non-Stick Cooking, Ya'll!
Posts
