Are Silicone Spatulas Safe For Your Cookware?
Whether you’re flipping pancakes, baking a cake or deglazing a pan, you can rely on a silicone spatula to do the job. These flexible utensils are heat-resistant, stain and odor resistant, and easy to clean.
The best silicone spatulas strike the perfect balance between rigid and flexible, making them ideal for scraping bowls or navigating corners. Read on to discover the top-rated options.
Heat Resistant
Silicone kitchen utensils are extremely popular due to their versatility, heat resistance and user-friendliness. They can withstand higher temperatures than plastic or wooden spoons and won’t damage non-stick cooking pots or pans like metal ones would. They also come in a wide variety of colors and designs to suit your kitchen style. But are silicone utensils safe for your cookware?
It’s important to use silicone utensils with food-grade silicone, which is a safe and flexible material that can resist high temperatures without melting or deforming. It is also non-toxic and won’t contaminate your food. It’s also free of BPA, which is found in some plastic utensils, and it doesn’t release harmful fumes when melted or heated.
While there are some silicone utensils that are made from all-silicone, it’s best to choose one that has a few percent of another material such as polypropylene or polyethylene for strength and durability. This will prevent the silicone from becoming brittle or soft after extended use.
You should also make sure your silicone spatula has rounded edges for easy access to the corners of pans and pots. You should also look for a handle that is comfortable in your hand and not too rigid or thin, as this could make it difficult to hold in place while Silicone Spatulas using. The Tovolo Flex-Core wood-handled silicone spatula has a strong and durable wooden handle with a smooth silicone head that is removable for easy cleaning.
Stain Resistant
When working with hot foods like pasta sauces or cake batter, most kitchen utensils can become stained or discolored, making them less than appealing to use. Silicone spatulas are naturally stain resistant, thanks to their non-porous properties that make them less likely to absorb odors or colors.
This feature also means that silicone spoons and spatulas won’t cling to the edges of the cooking pan or pot, as rubber and plastic utensils do. This is ideal when working with food that is too hot to touch, because it prevents accidental burns.
Aside from being stain resistant, silicone is also safe to use in a microwave and oven. This is because silicone doesn’t melt at the temperatures most people cook at, unlike plastic utensils. In addition, unlike metal utensils, silicone won’t damage Teflon or other non-stick coatings in your kitchen pans and pots.
When shopping for silicone utensils, look for ones that are made of 100% pure silicone. This is important because not all silicone kitchen utensils are created equal. Some have a combination of materials, such as a Silicone Spatulas stainless steel handle with a silicone head. A good rule of thumb is to test the pliability of a utensil by twisting it. If it doesn’t bend easily or quickly, then it isn’t high-quality silicone. The best silicone utensils will have the head and handle made of one piece of silicone.
Easy to Clean
A silicone spatula is non-porous, so it won’t retain odors and colors like rubber utensils can. It’s also easy to clean. The surface can be wiped down and rinsed with soapy water to get rid of residue. For stubborn stains, try using an oxidizing cleaner like hydrogen peroxide to break down the compounds that cause discoloration.
While silicone is usually easy to clean, some food particles can get stuck in the crevices of the head or neck. For this, a gentle cleaning solution can help, such as soaking the silicone in a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water for a few minutes before washing and rinsing.
To remove odors, you can also soak your silicone spatula in a mixture of baking soda and hot water. Make sure the solution covers every part of the utensil, then let it sit for a few hours before washing and rinsing. This is a great trick for getting rid of food smells and keeping your kitchen smelling fresh.
This inexpensive set from OXO Good Grips comes with a spatula, a pastry brush, and a whisk. It’s made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone with stainless steel cores for strength. It’s available in a variety of different colors, or you can stick with the traditional black for a neutral look. This set is a great option for beginners looking to stock up on silicone kitchen tools.
Versatile
For most cooks, having a versatile kitchen tool that can help with many tasks is important. This is especially true for silicone cooking utensils, which are able to be used for a wide variety of tasks. They are also great for non-stick cookware because they do not scratch or damage it like wooden or metal utensils can. There are a lot of different types of silicone cooking spoons and spatulas on the market, each designed for a specific task. This includes everything from silicone serving spoons to silicone cooking spatulas that are ideal for mixing, stirring, draining, scraping, and baking.
When selecting a silicone cooking spoon, it is important to consider the head shape and structure. For example, a spoon with a curved head is better for flipping and folding, while one that is flatter is better for scooping. Additionally, the handle and grip should be comfortable to hold while working with hot foods.
Silicone kitchen utensils are an excellent choice for most cooks, as they are heat resistant and easy to clean. However, it is important to note that silicone utensils do not last as long as wood or metal, and they may be more prone to staining. This is why it is important to thoroughly wash silicone utensils before and after each use. This will help prevent them from becoming discolored over time.