Silicone bakeware is available for baking in various sizes, shapes, colors, and prices. Is silicone safe? Is it worth the money spent? and Is it better than traditional bakeware?
Silicone bakeware is made from a synthetic polymer created from a mixture of silicon, a naturally occurring element on the earth’s crust, combined with carbon and/or oxygen to create a rubber-like substance. The rubber-like substance can be shaped into any desired shape during manufacturing. The FDA has approve silicone as a food safe substance and it is generally considered inert and will not leach into foods. Silicone bakeware is rated safe for temperatures below freezing and up to 500֯F (always check the manufacturer’s specs). Good quality silicone should not emit any odor or discolor with use. Lower quality silicone may contain fillers or additives which may cause odor during baking and discolor over time.
Silicone bakeware is durable, non-stick, and quite flexible. A wide variety of silicone products are available for the kitchen beyond bakeware. Potholders, trivets, spatulas, whisks and other utensils, collapsible mixing bowls and strainers, ice cube trays, rolling pins and mats, and much more have become commonplace. Silicone baking pan liners provide a non-stick surface for baking sheets and jelly roll pans making for quick and easy cleanup. It can go directly from the oven to the freezer or vice versa, is microwave and dishwasher safe, and easy to clean. Since silicone is naturally non-stick no additional oil or grease calories are needed to prep the mold. However, a small spritz of cooking oil could be helpful with the more decorative molds with sharp corners or intricate designs. Another special feature of silicone is that it’s a great insulator. This means that it both cooks evenly and also cools down quickly. While metal or glass bakeware retain heat, silicone bakeware cool enough to handle within minutes after removal from the oven. Silicone bakeware can go straight from oven to table allowing the molds to be a serving dish, too. They can also be used for non-baked foods that require molding or even arts and crafts projects.
Silicone bakeware should always be used in conjunction with a firm surface like a cookie sheet to prevent burns and flipping baked goods to the floor. In most cases, baking and cooling time is the same as for traditional bakeware. While quite durable, beware of sharp objects and direct heat; a knife will cut through silicone and direct heat will melt it.
Silicone bakeware offers some distinct advantages and tradeoffs over the traditional alternatives, it is a personal choice. Some products may simply be better made in a traditional pan while others are better in silicone.
Reviewed and updated 6/2024, mg.
