Reddit mentions of Artisan Silicone Baking Mat for Half-Size Cookie Sheet with Red Border, 16.5 x 11 inches, 2-Pack

I have these awesome silicone mats: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00629K4YK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419478312&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40

Which literally nothing sticks to them.

So what I do is throw the mat on a cookie sheet, and then grab a handful of shredded mozzarella cheese on there, put some pepperoni, mushrooms, and Italian seasoning on there, then sprinkle a little more chease on top off all that to keep it together.

Bake at 375 °F for 20 min. And you got yourself a perfect keto pizza. Just let it cool a bit and slide the pizza right off the mat. :).

I ate this for dinner almost every single day for 6 months.

Enjoy!

I'll throw my vote in for a sharpening stone. If he doesn't already have a nice sharpening set, maybe consider getting him something like a nice diamond sharpening stone; I've seen them for $50 or less.

Tools are always nice. Here are some suggestions to think about:
~ microplane grater
~ Japanese mandolines can be fun to have around.
~ Fish spatulas can be a handy tool.
~ Does he have a good quality peeler? Everyone has a "normal" peeler, but I like to have a good quality horizontal peeler, like one of these, to use sometimes.
~ Does he do a lot of baking? If so, maybe some silicone baking mats for his baking sheets, or maybe some parchment paper.
~ Does he like to use fresh citrus juice very much? Does he have a citrus reamer?
~ Does he like to use fresh garlic? Maybe a garlic press?
~ Silicone spatulas?
~ Does he have a pepper grinder for fresh ground pepper?
~ Does he have a set of mise en place bowls or something to use to keep his stuff organized when he's working?
~ Does he have a scale? You can find plenty of options for home-use digital scales that can weigh up to 11 or 12 pounds, and use either pounds, or grams (if he's doing anything metric.)
~ Something like a good quality cast iron pan can be a lifetime investment, because if they're well cared for, he'll be able to pass it on to his grandkids someday.
~ A dutch oven will always be useful to serious home cooks. The enameled cast iron type are very popular, but they come in many different sizes and shapes, so keep that in mind when picking one out.
~ Knives are always nice. Paring knife, utility knife, serrated slicer, etc.

Those are just a few suggestions that popped into mind. Good luck, I hope you find something nice for him.

Have you tried a silicon baking mat? I love them. I also use a lot of silicon baking tray molds and cupcake molds. They're great of the oven or for the microwave.

I bought parchment paper several years ago and almost never use it.

Get on Amazon and buy some of these.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0001MS3DI/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1462935978&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=half+sheet+pan+and+rack&dpPl=1&dpID=41PBvlflBmL&ref=plSrch

And an equal number of these.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000G0KJG4/ref=pd_aw_fbt_79_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=18X6H5MZZ2GQTT8RGT0D

Put the one in the other and put whatever you're drying on the rack and put one on each rack in your oven. Set the oven to the lowest temp possible. Prop the door open with a wooden (not plastic) spoon and wait.

Ovens are usually a little hot for fruits to do well so you can go on for an hour, off for an hour, etc... Until it gets dry to keep from cooking as you dehydrate. Ovens work well for meats and jerkys as I feel most home model dehydrators don't get hot enough to dehydrate meat.

Also get one of these.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B019DT4EBE/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?qid=1462936323&sr=8-17&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mandoline+slicer

Makes uniform slices and you can julienne things like carrots and potatoes.


These really help for doing fruit as well.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00629K4YK/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1462936445&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=silpat&dpPl=1&dpID=41MTUhWaO%2BL&ref=plSrch

If you do something that's really sticky like pineapple or mango, put the slices on this in the sheet pan. You'll have to turn your pieces a few times but they'll make cleanup so much easier.

If you're gonna buy a dehydrator. Get this one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001K246KW/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1462936599&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=lem+dehydrator+10+tray&dpPl=1&dpID=51XOjbSNSdL&ref=plSrch

Has 10 trays, easy to clean, all stainless, and has a thermostat. It's pricey, but if you make all your meals for one or two trips instead of buying freeze dried, it will pay for itself.

I make all my meals for big trips for 4-6 people for 6+ days. Mine paid for itself the first trip.

So those baking sheets are SilPat?

Here's some of the stuff I get/got from Amazon since starting Keto back in Sept of 13.

Almond Flour(5LB) I buy this every couple months - http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0055IRNAC

Quest Bars - http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00DLDH1N2

Silicone Molds - http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001T4URXG ; http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00D6V59Y2

Swerve(Conf sugar) - http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004X73DAU

Zero Carb Protein Powder - http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000E95HP0

Psyllium Husk - http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B002RWUNYM

Silicone Mats - http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00629K4YK

Aside from the printing on top of the silicone, a practice I believe Oil Slick recently stopped by no fault of their own, but rather in response to the bad practices by some of their customers (Good Guy Company, amirite?), these should be identical to other silicone "baking mats" you can find at most stores that carry kitchen equipment.

http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Silicone-Baking-Surface-11inches/dp/B00629K4YK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369513273&sr=8-1&keywords=silicone+baking+mat

In short: don't heat the mats too greatly (avoid hitting them with your torch, or with recently-torched equipment), and DO NOT BLAST onto them with solvent. Also, avoid scraping and poking the mat with tools & dabbers, as this can result in perforation and ultimately to tiny chunks of silicone in your oil. (/r/CannabisExtracts /r/BHOInfo)

I know you said no to utensils, but I think these are possible exceptions:

Microplane grater - Best grater ever. Amazing for garlic, ginger, hard spices, cheese, citrus zest, chocolate shavings, etc. etc. I have one, and would be happy to have another just because they're so useful.

Victorinox tomato/steak/utility knife - This knife is marketed in three different ways because they're just so damn handy. I'd just go for whichever is cheapest, they're all the same. Incredible knife for little jobs that always seems supernaturally sharp. Cuts cleanly through even the ripest tomatoes, sails through thick-skinned limes, dices ginger like no other, slices garlic paper-thin, neat and tidy (and un-squished) sushi rolls, bagels, etc. etc. I have 3 and would be happy to have another. I've given plenty of these as gifts and they're always appreciated.

Silicone spatula/spoonula - Pretty much every other cooking utensil has grown dusty and unused since I got my silicone spoonula. More heat-resistant than plastic or wooden alternatives, so nothing bad happens when you leave it resting on the pan. Insanely easy to clean. Amazing for getting every last bit of sauce/icing/batter/etc. Best thing ever for cooking omelets or scrambled eggs. I wash mine immediately after use every time because I know I'll be using it again soon. I would happily replace every wooden spoon and plastic spatula in my kitchen with one of these. Then I'd have 6, and I would be very happy.

SilPats. Best thing to put on your baking sheet, ever. Also provides a great work-surface for sticky doughs/batters, melted chocolate, caramel, etc. You don't really need multiples of these I suppose, but I certainly wouldn't complain.

I bought some silicone sheets at Costco that I use. They are also available on Amazon here:https://www.amazon.ca/Artisan-pk-Non-Stick-Silicone-Baking/dp/B00629K4YK?source=googleshopping&locale=en-CA&tag=googcana-20&ref=pd_sl_4dhkcvjc0_e

1. Good, I will take a break from writing my speech for communications class :)
   
   
2. I plan on taking some time to relax and spend time with my family. Between work and school, I have been absolutely stressed to the max. I want to cook, bake, decorate, send cards, and enjoy the people and beasts in my life!
   
   
3. I make a lot of cookies, specifically chocolate chip. My cookies are legendary in these parts, and I like to bake a bunch and pack them up in pretty boxes for holiday gifts. I base my recipe off [this one here] (https://www.guittard.com/in-the-kitchen/recipe-detail/the-original-chocolate-chip-cookie) though I tend to use a tad more salt, real butter, and Ghiradelli chips if I can't find the Guittard chocolate disks.
   
   4.[Holiday related baking item, because baking and holidays just go together!] ( http://amzn.com/B00629K4YK)
   
   What are you and /u/WMichaelis going to do tonight, Brain?

The best advice I can give you is to check out the America's Test Kitchen equipment reviews. Some of the things they recommend will be out of your budget, but most of the things will get you great quality at an affordable price. I'm very active in my kitchen and I don't buy anything without first looking to see if it's an item they've reviewed.

Example: Victorinox Fibrox Knives. Commercial quality, BIFL knives, and a fraction of the price you'll spend on department store BS.

$600 is a stretch to outfit a kitchen, but there are soooooooo many kitchen items sold that you DON'T need. Stay away from gadgets that only have one purpose. You can do MOST of what your really need with simple, multi-purpose tools. So here's the basics:

1. Knives (Victorinox Fibrox)Amazon This is a decent starter set that will give you versatility starting off. Add as you go.
   
2. Pots and Pans - All clad is the BIFL industry standard. I have them and love them. But a set will crush your budget. A starting set will usually be cheaper than one-piece at a time. For your budget I'd recommend the Tramontina tri-ply wich ATK rated highly right next to All Clad. At around $140, it's a great set. Also, get a non-stick skillet and whatever other non-stick pieces you can afford. The best rated non-stick cookware (better than All Clad, I've had both) is good old Tfal. Ask for the All Clad Stainless stuff if you ever get married.
   
3. Food Storage - I consider good food storage to be a kitchen basic, and the I like Snapware Airtight. But if the budget is tight, you can probably get buy on Gladware for a while.
   
4. Other Tools - This list should get you started without too much "fluff"
   vegetable peeler, grater, liquid & dry measuring cups, measuring spoons, thermometers (instant read), spatulas (plastic & metal), Wooden Spoons, Ladel & Larger Spoons, Tongs, Colander
   
5. Bakeware - at a minimum, get 2 commercial style aluminum sheet pans and I recommend 2 silpats to fit. These will make flawless cookies, roast vegetables, whatever in the oven. I'd also get some wire racks to fit as well. The rest depends on what you want to bake.
   
6. Small Appliances - this is where it gets tricky. Remember, focus on multi-purpose machines. I'd rather have one high-quality electric motor than many cheap ones - less to break. The first appliance I would buy are: a stand mixer (kitchen aid), a food processor(cuisinart), a blender (my favorite value, the new Oster Versa (a Vitamix without the price tag).
   
7. Dinnerware, Flatware and Glasses - Stick with classic stuff. White plates never go out of style and make the food "pop". Doesn't need to be expensive now.
   
   I'm sure I missed some things, but this will get you started. My recommendations added up will take you over your budget but you can decide what's most important to you. Don't skimp on the knives or the pots and pans.

or save $5 more and get the #1 seller http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-pk-Non-Stick-Silicone-Baking/dp/B00629K4YK/ref=sr_1_13?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1422024388&sr=1-13&keywords=baking+mats

Others have linked their kitchen aid mixers, and I agree. Any stand mixer is a godsend. I have a sunbeam - because my husband couldn't fathom spending 300 bucks on a kitchenaid, but 400 on a console?

But i give you.. the Springform cake pans. My own set are pretty much dead after nearly 20 years of use. Missing the bottoms to all but one, and spots of rust, very dented. They are superior to those stink normal cake pans because you just pop the spring on the side and carefully ease away the side, then pop the ring off. Once that's done, a knife eased between the cake and the bottom and BOOM. Done. Cheesecake? BOOM. Angle food? They have a bottom for that! They a multi-tasker and we all know Alton Brown loves multi-taskers. Your arthritic hands will love them. And I conveniently have a 13 dollar set in my kitchen list that I oh so want to replace my aging ones.

And then you have yourcake leveler. My friend bought me this a couple years ago after a disastrous incident with a Spongebob pineapple house. Disastrous. Horrifying. There was yellow icing everywhere and a crying kid. I can't cut that level it would seen. It was like yellow and green icing Armageddon.

last, and honestly, it's necessary above all other things. Silpat mats. Not the red silicones, you want to look at the clear center with the orange/red outline. Non-stick, helps with baking, I have about 4 of them in my house in all sizes. Some as gifts, others I bought myself. I have even the real original french brand :D Well I did, till my husband //cut// on it and was like 'Oh, this isn't a cutting board". You'll throw out your wax paper, your parchment- okay maybe not your parchment - and convert to silpat. They are seriously, the best damn thing ever. I don't know why.

So those are my three must haves, though the springforms are the only thing on my actual amazon list. SO let's do it in the kitchen, because it can get messy!

I have these and I highly recommend them:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00629K4YK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are a lot of similar ones out there though and they all do the same thing. I got those because you can get a set of two cheaper than buying just one Silpat mat (which is the original I think?).

It prevents things that you bake on them from sticking, and it also makes cleaning up a lot quicker since you can wipe off the little bits that stick on there way easier than if they get baked onto a baking sheet. I use them when I make fathead pizza, cookies, jalapeno poppers, roasted chicken etc etc.

Thanks for such a detailed reply. I'm looking specifically at these Artisan silicon mats, not actually Silpat, since they're less than half the price and have equally good Amazon reviews. I've seen customers' pictures so I'm familiar with the size relative to half sheet pans and although they're a little smaller than Silpats I don't think it's a difference worth $25 to me.

I plan to use it mostly for roasting vegetables and baking breads, so the tip about the bread is especially helpful, but I believe my oven heats from the bottom so I should be good.

Is there anything stopping me from using silicon mats on nonstick pans? Just so I still have the option of the nonstick if I don't like the mats.

The most beautiful orange thing I know of, it would make delicious meals.

I actually have the exact ones in the gif! they're oven safe too!

Hmmm - You can probably prevent a pointy middle by keeping the ones you aren't cooking in the refrigerator. I make bread in batches of four, and when it comes to baking I put two loaves in the oven and the other two in the refrigerator until the first two are done baking.

Or you could borrow a larger oven.

I bake mine on aluminum trays with silicone liners. I also spread olive oil over the baking liners and on the edges of the tray.

If you have the room for it on your desk, one of these under each base will keep them still in an earthquake. I picked up that 2-pack soon after getting my X-55, and I haven't noticed any movement since using them. The only downside is that they're pretty big. I think you may be able to cut them and have them intact, but I haven't tried.

Thank you so much for doing this. It's so thoughtful. It's my turn.

I think I've gifted to at least 10 group gifts, so far. Since it is the most recent here's the humper gifting.

And the week before that, was Lotrouble's birthday group gift.

I've also contributed to adalab's, wampy's, panda's, abby's, caturday's, radler's, jphoenix's, billy's (slytherin something rather) and a couple others that I am completely blanking on.

Baking mats!

These are my favorite kitchen thing. There are some cheaper ones but I know this brand. Putting together a bridal shower gift and I got a different brand and a small serving spatula and got some blue mason jars at Joanns with their 50% off coupons this week and plan on filling them with cookie, brownie, cake and muffin-in-a-jar recipes.

Silicone baking mat on top of your cookie sheet (or whatever pan you're using). Works wonders!