So currently I use parchment paper to bake, but never tried the Silpat, which I see mentioned a lot. Is there a real major difference? Trying to figure out if I should invest.

I use only Silpat and can't compare because I have never used anything else I love mine!

I use both and there's really no difference. I prefer the parchment only because I don't have to wash it.

That said, if I'm doing something delicate, like tuilles, then it's Silpat all the way!

Awesome! Thank you!

I have used both and now prmarily use parchent paper. It's cheap and I can prepare several sheets at a time so they can move easily in and out of the oven without having to worry about anything cooling.

It can be used for so many things. To make my chocolate pretzels or measuring out dry ingredients. Just measure everything onto the sheet and it is easy to pour into the mixer, again no clean up. I use it to roll out fondant for small shapes, to make small royal icing decorations. Just let them dry on the paper and they come right off. I make parchment paper decorating bags too. I even use it with the kids, under clay, play dough, paints, coloring etc.

I buy it in precut sheets so they lay flat and fit my baking sheets.

Ooo pre-cut would be nice! Where do you get them?

I use parchment for everything too, rolling dough between two sheets of it, chilling dough, baking the cookies, plus for pizzas, biscuits etc. If I invested in the Silpats I would need too many of them for all my pans, I have one pan in the oven, one pan chilling one pan working on, it would be too much of an investment for me. That being said I would like to buy precut sheets in bulk, not sure where to buy them. I just watch the sales at Walmart, the grocery, or Michaels...can anybody help with a link to buy in bulk?

I have been buying from The Baking Queen for years now. They have very aggressive pricing, free shipping and an assortment of quantities. She also offers coupon codes every so often. The website is thebakingqueen dot com

HTH

Great! Thank you!

I get the quilon coated. I've never tried the natural, but I'm sure they are just as good. When I run through the ones I have (it will be a while since I order a ton at once) I might try the natural.

If anyone tries the natural, can you post how you like them?