You have probably heard of the Pyramid Pan. The inventor of this textured silicone mat claims that it can revolutionize cooking. Is it true? Big claims need to be backed up by strong facts, so here’s a comprehensive Pyramid Pan review for anyone who is thinking of buying one.
A Brief History of the Pyramid Pan
Home cooks worldwide could have been enjoying the Pyramid Pan 15 years ago if its inventor Richard Sanita hadn’t procrastinated. The Pennsylvania man came up with the idea when he made fish sticks for his son after preschool. The cooking instructions recommended crumpling a piece of aluminum foil to keep the breading from sticking. Sanita thought that there must be a better way to address the problem. He made a sketch of a Pyramid Pan prototype on a napkin and put it in a drawer where it lingered for years. Today, the Pyramid Pan is a bestseller. Here are a few features that explain its popularity:
The Nonstick Silicone Pyramid Pan
Thanks to the durable silicone material, the Pyramid Pan can be used in the oven and in the microwave. It’s safe for temperatures up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit. One major advantage is that silicone is an excellent nonstick surface, so your food will slide off without any effort. Although more research is needed, current studies show that silicone is safer compared to conventional nonstick coatings that can degrade and leach chemicals into your food. Plus, any bits of food that would stick to a conventional baking sheet will peel off the Pyramid Pan for easier cleaning.
Healthier Cooking With Less Oil
Some reviews of the Pyramid Pan and other silicone baking products recommend spraying the surface with oil to guarantee that your food won’t stick. Even with a light coating of oil, the Pyramid Pan allows grease and fat to drain away from the food as it cooks. Because air circulation is enhanced, the Pyramid Pan makes it easier to create crispy oven-fried dishes using less oil. Many reviews mention that it’s difficult to remove grease from the silicone surface even though the mat is dishwasher safe. Some recommend soaking the Pyramid Pan immediately after use.
Cooking Crispier Food with the Pyramid Pan
The Pyramid Pan’s patented design features some 500 triangular peaks that set it apart from the competition. The texture ensures even cooking on all sides of food items. With conventional baking trays, the top of the food cooks quickly and becomes drier while the breading on the bottom gets soggy. In the microwave where the heat is very moist, it’s really difficult to get anything crispy, but the Pyramid Pan works on everything from frozen egg rolls to bacon strips.
According to user reviews, these are good candidates for cooking on the Pyramid Pan:
- Chicken nuggets
- Fried chicken
- Breaded fish
- Fresh fish fillets
- Breaded pork chops
- Frozen French fries
- Sweet potato fries
- Zucchini chips
- Hamburgers
- Onion rings
- Taquitos
For optimal results, most items should be cooked longer or approximately 20 degrees hotter than normal but no higher than 425 degrees. Overall, this cooking pad is easy to use and maintain. The majority of Pyramid Pan reviews agree that it’s a good value.