Silicone is a type of synthetic polymer that is more heat resistant compared to organic polymers. It is widely used and commercialised in many industries including personal care, coating, automotive, electronics, chemicals, etc. due to its durability, easy to manufacture, and stable over a wide range of temperatures. Most silicone products can withstand up to 260°C. You should not confuse “silicone” with “silicon” because they are not the same. Silicon is used to manufacture semiconductors in electronics whereas silicone does not conduct electricity. Rubber silicone (Polysiloxane) is the form of silicone that is commonly used in kitchenware.
You might have asked yourself “ Is it safe to use silicone kitchen utensils?”. Yes, silicone cooking utensils are completely safe to use. Just make sure your silicone kitchen tools are recognised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and labelled as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS). Make sure that it is 100% pure food-grade silicone when buying silicone kitchen utensils.
Both silicone and nylon cooking tools are preferable compared to metal utensils as they do not damage pots and pans. Silicone tools do not scratch off the coating on pans and skillets. However, a lot of chefs prefer silicone over nylon utensils as they have higher heat resistance, durable, and dishwasher-safe. Nylon kitchen utensils on the other hand are cheaper and can melt at a higher temperature, releasing chemicals during cooking.
Did we say easy to clean? Yup, silicone kitchenware is easy to clean, wash and some can simply be tossed into the dishwasher. They are also stain-resistant and do not retain odours when used to cook deep-coloured food. Also, silicone bakeware like muffin moulds can be washed and reused, unlike paper cups. They are extremely user-friendly when it comes to dealing with non-stick surfaces.
Silicone kitchen utensils won’t break, scratch, shatter and they will probably last forever. The rubber-like material also makes them flexible and won’t damage non-stick surfaces. Even though silicone is non-biodegradable, it can be recycled and remould into other products.
