Professional bakers use pastry mats for everything from food prep to baking rows of elegant desserts. (BestReviews)

From the elegant crispy chew of perfectly formed macarons to delectable chocolate chip cookies with gooey melted centers, there’s nothing that a pastry mat cannot make more delicious. This simple kitchen tool eliminates the need for cooking sprays or oils and makes cleaning up a snap.

For professional results in a mat that lasts a lifetime, the Silpat Nonstick Baking Mat is a great choice.

Baking mats usually come in sets. The number you need depends on how much you bake and what you'll use the mats for. If you are a serious home baker, you might opt for more mats. Are you just dabbling in pastry? One or two mats should suffice.

Pastry mats come in a variety of sizes:

Whichever size you choose, the mat should be slightly smaller than the baking sheet it is on. This prevents curling and uneven baking.

It is a baking mat, so it should be safe in the oven, right? Take care to make sure the one you select has a high enough temperature rating for its intended use. Some mats are oven-safe to 500 degrees, while others cannot handle more than 400 degrees.

If you struggle to accurately roll out pie dough or want your macarons to be precise and picture-perfect, look for pastry mats with printed measurements. These indicate everything from small circles of an inch or so to larger 8- to 10-inch circles for rolling out pie crust.

The best pastry mat has fiberglass woven in its center for additional strength and durability. The silicone exterior should be slippery and more than just a wafer-thin coating, too.

Although it seems obvious, look for pastry mats that use food-grade silicone. They should also be labeled BPA-free or nontoxic and safe for use in the oven.

Versatile mats go from the counter to the freezer to the oven without any compromise in the quality of the results. Some mats can withstand temperatures as low as -40 degrees.

The price ranges dramatically depending on the number and size of mats you select. Single mat prices are $7-$15 each, while pastry mat sets are $15-$50.

A. Most pastry mats are easily cleaned by hand with soap and warm water. Some are also safe in the dishwasher. Whichever method you choose, make sure that the mat is completely dry before you store it. Mats should be rolled or stored flat to prevent tearing or creasing.

Whatever you do, do not cut your mat to fit your baking sheets. The fiberglass inside the mat is harmful if ingested, and cutting the mat exposes it.

A. Pastry mats are coated on all sides with silicone. This means that you can use both sides for baking, roasting or food preparation.

Of course, if your mat is marked with measurements, you may want to stick to that side for rolling out dough or portioning cookies or other baked goods that require precision.

A. Pastry mats are remarkably durable, but they may require replacement after extended use. If you notice that the mat has lost its nonstick quality, it's time to replace it.

Other signs that you need a new mat include:

Many pastry mats are recyclable. Check with the manufacturer for the best disposal options.

Silpat Nonstick Baking Mat: available at Amazon

Our take: This is one of the most trusted and well-known baking mats, with proven quality and durability.

What we like: These two mats feature fiberglass centers coated with nonstick silicone. These are the mats professionals use. One fits a full-size cookie sheet, while the other is best for a half size jellyroll pan. They are BPA-free.

What we dislike: There's not much to dislike about these mats. They may stain if they are not cleaned up immediately after use, but that's about it.

Amazon Basics Nonstick Baking Mat: available at Amazon

Our take: This is a more affordable option for bakers who are just setting up their kitchen.

What we like: It's a set of two half sheets that are oven safe to 480 degrees. They are coated with the same slippery silicone as more expensive mats. These are also available in sets of three and four.

What we dislike: Like other pastry mats, they cannot be folded for storage. Roll or lay them flat to prevent permanent creases.

Velesco Store Silicone Macaron Baking Mat: available at Amazon

Our take: These allow you to create perfectly uniform macaron and rolled pastry.

What we like: Each of these three mats has the same fiberglass/silicone construction as more expensive mats. Clearly marked with circles for perfect piping every time. They are safe in the oven, dishwasher, and freezer. One slightly larger mat is also available to purchase.

What we dislike: Some bakers noted that these mats are too large for a half baking sheet.

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Suzannah Kolbeck is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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