[leahmn12]

<p>There may be a more appropriate forum for this question, but I'll start here. So, I'm just baking some delicious organic, maple-sweetened, loaded with nuts gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, and as I'm plopping the batter onto the parchment-lined cookie sheet, I have to wonder, "What the heck IS parchment paper?" What makes it moisture and grease-proof? At close inspection, it looks like it must have some kind of plastic coating on it. A quick web search reveals nothing much more definitive than what I can observe for myself. Anybody know if this stuff is really safe to cook with?</p>

 

[ollyoxenfree]

<p> </p>
<p>I've wondered the same thing myself. Without any research, I figured that there must be some kind of Teflon-like chemical involved, so I've reduced my use of Parchment quite a bit. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Out of curiosity, I googled and found this: <a href="http://www.ifyoucare.com/Baking%20products.htm" target="_blank">http://www.ifyoucare.com/Baking%20products.htm</a> . It suggests that there are better parchment papers available.  </p>

 

[mamadelbosque]

<p>Thats the parchment paper I have (I also have their muffin wrappers) and it works great... but I still avoid using it unless I think its 100% neccasary. </p>

 

[cristeen]

Parchment is silicone embedded paper. I switched to silpats years ago because its less waste.<br><br>
It all depends on how you feel about silicone. The subject has been discussed to death around here if you feel the need to read up on it.

 

[ollyoxenfree]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>cristeen</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1283657/parchment-paper-safe#post_16096409"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br>
Parchment is silicone embedded paper. I switched to silpats years ago because its less waste.<br><br>
It all depends on how you feel about silicone. The subject has been discussed to death around here if you feel the need to read up on it.</div>
</div>
<br><br><p>Unfortunately, silpats don't fit in my cake tins  <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/smile.gif">.  I have a couple of silpat sheets and I find strong flavours persist on them. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>According to my brief research this morning, (see the link I posted above), not all parchment paper use silicone. A lot of brands use quilon, which contains chrome, a heavy metal, and thus is a concern if it burns.</p>