silicone mats on galley storage bin lids

Discussion in 'Custom Additions' started by adrianneross, Oct 31, 2014.

  1. adrianneross

    adrianneross Junior Ranger Donating Member

    Here's an idea I got from Oly and "the Depot" - silicone baking mats on the galley storage bin lids to protect the stainless steel from scratches and hot pans. I put some in my galley and I've had several people ask me about them so I'm going to pass on the idea to the forum.

    I’ve never been able to find silicone baking mats (Silpat-style) that would fit the storage bin lids - they were all too short or too expensive! The silicone mats I ended up using are a generic "counter-top" size - I think you're supposed to use them to roll out pie crusts and such. Anyway, they were larger than the bin lids so I simply cut off the extra using a quilting ruler and rotary cutter. They tell you not to cut the mats, or don't use them after they are cut, so I was a little nervous about cutting them to size, but I haven't had any problem with the inside "fabric" coming out of the silicone, so far. I got mine at Aldi (and I saw them there again last week), but I bet all the stores will be full of them for the Christmas baking season. They’ve been easy to clean, although sponges/rags don’t exactly “glide” over the silicone – more “dab” than “wipe.” And water splashing from the sink can sometimes get under the mats.

    The one I got at Aldi looked a lot like this one (I cut off the measurement sides):

    http://www.amazon.com/BuyDirect2Yo...3854098&sr=1-13&keywords=silicone+counter+mat

    I'm not sure what the difference with this one is, maybe thickness? maybe construction? maybe just price?

    http://www.crateandbarrel.com/counter-mat/s204230?a=1552

    I have a 550 Ultra so my storage bin lids measure approx. 13” X 18.” The bin lids on the Base & Special models might be a little bigger/longer? Most of the counter-top mats I’ve seen are 18” X 25.” It’s a lot of waste, but I used the left-over pieces to line some small storage bins in the galley. I guess they can also be used to open jars?

    A couple of notes for the OCD among us:

    1. A quilting mat, rotary cutter, and quilting ruler work well - you can square the corners and cut a nice, straight edge (make sure your blade is sharp and go slow so you can maintain the blade next to the ruler edge). But a ruler and some scissors will work, too! I found that pen marks, even Sharpie ultra fine point, didn’t show up very well on the silicone – regular Sharpie fine point worked well but the line is thicker.

    2. I cut the mat a little bit larger than the bin lid so I could trim as necessary so the mat fit just inside the metal trim. My bins were unbelievable square - good job Camp Inn!

    3. I didn’t use any of the “factory” edges - I didn’t like the measurement scale and I didn’t want to have one “good” corner and one “cut” corner – so I cut my mat more-or-less out of the middle.

    4. The "fabric" mesh inside the mats got pretty skewed from edge to edge (grain isn’t very straight) when they were made (better quality mats might be better? don’t know) so I cut off the worst edge first and tried to square the mats according to the “fabric” grain. It still isn't very square, but it's really not noticeable once the mats are on the bin lids and it really doesn’t matter!!!

    5. The mats seem to stick better now that it's cold outside - in the summer, they would fall off when the bin lid was up (open) and slip between the bin lid and the frame - kind of annoying. Maybe my cheap-o silicone mat is crappy? Maybe the bin lid and/or silicone mat needs to be cleaned better? I'm thinking about putting a small piece of double-stick scotch tape in the corners next season.

    I had an extra baking mat I cut-up to the line the bottom of the cabinet (which is also stainless steel). I have some Contact drawer liner on the two upper cabinets but if I can find some more counter-top mats cheap this season, I might switch them out because the silicone seems to help keep things from sliding around on the shelves better. I hear yoga mats work well, too. And they’re cheaper.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 6, 2016
  2. David Olson

    David Olson Novice

    You two are awesome. You are your own private think tank. :)
     
  3. birder526

    birder526 Novice

    I agree!!
     
  4. adrianneross

    adrianneross Junior Ranger Donating Member

    Ha! Dave - you (or Becky) thought to put the silicone mats on your bin lids in the first place. The rest of us will probably never be so lucky to find one that fits exactly - from the clearance bin, no less!

    How's you're awning coming along? I found some bendable awning material that might work for our 550:

    https://sailrite.wordpress.com/2014/07/10/how-to-bend-awning-track/
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 6, 2016
  5. David Olson

    David Olson Novice

    Adrianne I just love when someone improves on an idea. Thats what keeps this so fun.

    I have the spacer done that goes between the support poles and the hoop and support for it made. Just waiting for my seamstress to sew the guide sleeve for the hoop. More pictures as soon as it is done.

    One note on the silicone mats they do need to be lifted up once in a while to make sure any moisture that may be under them can dry. The really nice thing about them is that they protect the surface very well and you can open the storage doors without having to move the mats first. They just stay right in place, even with the door tipped all the way up.
     
  6. adrianneross

    adrianneross Junior Ranger Donating Member

    David - I don't have the same luck with my mats (staying on the lid when they're open) - could be the quality of silicone isn't as good as yours? Maybe I just need to clean everything a little better? Actually, they were sticking better once the weather got cooler, weird, eh?

    Can't wait to see the finished awning - and some more states filled in our your map - sounds like there are some awesome places to visit in Texas, if you're headed that way:

    http://www.campinnforum.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=2954&Number=28860#Post28860

    http://www.campinnforum.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=801&Number=5524#Post5524
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 6, 2016
  7. Theresa

    Theresa Novice

    A note: I have silicone baking sheets, which I LOVE -- I mean, I have them in my house for regular cooking. But mine are bright red and cobalt blue, which is more attractive than the basic brown silicone sheets shown on these Amazon offerings. While I think this is a GREAT idea, I'd put in the time to search for the prettier colors. I'm pretty sure mine were purchased at Bed, Bath & Beyond.
     
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