Monday, December 07, 2015

Experimenting in the Kitchen

What is one of the biggest deterrents to baking?  Cleaning up afterwards.  Well, that and I just don't have enough self-control for all that sugary goodness. Two things that I've found that really make a difference are the sprays and bakeware that I use.

This week, we did a family experiment to see if PAM Original No-Stick Cooking Spray really does leave less residue than other non-stick sprays (it's new formula claims up to 97% less residue.)  We included two tests to ensure that we had clear results; we made scrambled eggs and blueberry muffins.  Why eggs and muffins? We make these often and struggle with cleaning up afterwards.



Part One was the Scrambled Eggs Test.  We taught Kai how to scramble them so he can make his own now (with a good whisking ensuring the best results!) We sprayed one frying pan with PAM No Residue and another with a competitor's brand.  Both pans were brand new and identical in brand to cut down on those manipulating variables (yes, Gary and I are science teachers.)




The results?  Pretty close but the competitor had more residue around the knobs (which always drives me crazy!) 


Part Two: The Muffin Tin Test

Now, a good experiment has more than one trial.  What is the hardest thing for me to clean?  Muffin tins.  Why? I don't use muffin cups. I know, call me crazy, but I feel like they are a waste.  However, this means when I make muffins, the cleaning up takes a while.  I love mini muffin tins for my kids;  it's a great little snack and if they decide they don't like it halfway through, it's not a big waste of food! 


I sprayed half of the muffin tray with PAM and the other half with the same competitor brand as before. I made some healthy banana blueberry muffins and was very curious what my clean up would look like!


After the muffins cooled, I took them out and voila...PAM did have less residue on the bottom and sides – a "Residon't" you might say.


What is a big difference in the ingredients of PAM and the competitor's brand?  Did you know that PAM has coconut oil in it?  Cool, right?


So there you have it.  I can't say that PAM has 97% less residue than the competitor brand that I used, BUT I can say that it had less residue over all; a wonderful "Residon't!"

What dish leaves the most residue for you?  Have you tried PAM?

Love, 
Louise

I am participating in the PAM No Residue blog comparison program with enCompass Media. I've received payment as a thank you for participating and sharing my honest opinion.

16 comments:

  1. What is one of the biggest deterrents to baking? Cleaning up afterwards. Well, that and I just don't have enough self-control for all that sugary goodness. Two things that I've found that really make a difference are the sprays and bakeware that I use.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:05 AM

      I have used an olive oil spray from Costco in the past or a coconut oil spray from Trader Joes, but I find plain old butter or coconut oil works good too. I use silicone bakeware too, but find the silicone pans much easier than the individual cups. If you do need papers, Scoop n, Save sells white ones, 500 in a box for about $7. Let me know if you want to borrow a silicone muffin tray. :)

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  2. I'm dying to try this!!!

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  3. I use silicone muffin liners and they have been the best change in muffin-making for me. No throwing out paper liners (or having half of the muffin stick to the paper liners) and no messy muffin tins to try and clean. You do have to wash/dry the silicone liners which are a little fiddly, but not hard.

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    Replies
    1. Do you spray the liners? I'm liking the sound of this!

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    2. No, the muffins or cupcakes slide right out.

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  4. Great post Louise. We use Pam in our household and have zero complaints with it. Guess we'll just keep on using it.

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  5. I just had to do a marathon baking session (10 dozen cookies!) and was seriously anxious about the cookies sticking..or some of them sticking or half of the cookie sticking and not coming off! I love that your kids were right in there with you on this experiment.

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    Replies
    1. I'm assuming with 10 dozen you didn't have the kids "helping"! ;)

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  6. Anonymous3:23 PM

    I make cinnamon bread but I lather it up in coconut oil and the loaf remnants wash right out easily, no soaking necessary!

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    Replies
    1. I love cinnamon bread!! Coconut oil is so good for so many things!

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  7. I try to avoid using aerosol sprays as much as possible, so I usually just use butter.
    But when I do use it (in muffins tins!!) I have always used PAM.

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    Replies
    1. You don't use paper in your muffin tins either? Now I want muffins..

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  8. Anonymous6:53 AM

    I also try to use my silicone baking trays:) for frying pans it's an aerosol of some sort ( usually what's affordable )- liking the sound of pam

    Nut

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  9. Ug eggs are my nemesis for clean up. Good to know about this.

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  10. I don't use cooking sprays very often but Pam is what I keep in the cupboard, just in case I do need a spray for whatever reason. The baking spray with flour works really well for things like muffins and cakes. It does have a bit of a sweet taste to it though, so something to keep in mind.

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