Silicone cookware has received a lot of attention lately because of its high functionality! It can go from the oven to fridge to freezer without any fuss. These products are even microwave and dishwasher safe! Silicone bake-ware is non-stick, and in fact, experts recommend you skip greasing silicon baking dishes, as they will function better without the grease, and will make cleanup easier as well. Compared to their plastic counterparts, silicone spatulas are the obvious choice. They are friendly on non-stick surfaces, and can handle the high heat of a stove top. There are numerous other advantages of using silicone.
Today we are answering some of the most frequently asked questions about our silicone products!
Is silicone plastic?
Technically, silicone is considered part of the rubber family. But, if you define plastics widely, as we do, silicone is something of a hybrid between a synthetic rubber and a synthetic plastic polymer. Silicone can be used to make malleable rubber-like items, hard resins, and spreadable fluids.
What is silicone?
It is a man-made polymer, but instead of a carbon backbone like plastic, it has a backbone of silicon and oxygen. Silicone is the polymer and silicon, spelled without the “e” on the end, is an ingredient in silicone. Silicon is an element found in silica, i.e. sand, one of the most common materials on earth. However, to make silicone, silicon is extracted from silica which rarely exists by itself in nature and passed through hydrocarbons to create a new polymer with an inorganic silicon-oxygen backbone and carbon-based side groups.
Is it safe? How safe are silicone cookware?
Yes! Silicone is FDA approved as a food-safe substance.Health Canada says, “Silicone rubber does not react with food or beverages, or produce any hazardous fumes.”
We do feel very comfortable recommending silicone cookware and other products as a safe option. Silicone cookware won’t leach harmful chemicals into foods. High quality silicone cookware is a great alternative to plastics containing known carcinogens or endocrine disruptors.
What are some of the features of silicone?
- Handles temperature extremes
- Flexible, durable and shatter resistant
- Petroleum-free
- Dishwasher safe
- Odor and stain resistant
- Hygienic and hypoallergenic with no open pores to harbor bacteria
- Does not fade or scratch
Is silicone better than plastic?
Silicone is indisputably safer for human health than plastic. Plastic is a petroleum-based material commonly containing estrogen-mimicking chemicals like bisphenol-A (BPA).Silicone is much longer lasting than plastic and endures extreme fluctuations in temperatures from very cold to oven hot without melting, cracking or otherwise degrading. Reusable plastic containers may last a year or a few years if they are hand washed, but they end up getting scratched, foggy, broken and needing to be retired from use much sooner than similar items made from silicone.
Silicone resists oxidative deterioration (normal aging) for decades on end. In fact, studies have shown that silicone thrive on challenges, including exposure to extreme heat and cold, harsh chemicals, sterilization, rain, snow, salt spray, ultraviolet radiation, ozone and acid rain, to name a few. If disposed of at a landfill for incineration, the silicone (unlike plastic) is converted back into inorganic, harmless ingredients: amorphous silica, carbon dioxide and water vapor.
Is it Eco-friendly and recyclable?
Yes! When it comes to the environment, silicone is highly durable and more environmentally friendly than plastic. Silicone is not toxic to aquatic or soil organisms. It is not hazardous waste, so while it is not biodegradable, it can be recycled after a lifetime of use.
Tips for choosing and using silicone cookware:
- Be sure to choose products made from 100% food grade silicone. Fillers can compromise the quality and durability of silicone.
- Confirm that all colorants used are not BPA-based
- Wash thoroughly with warm water and soap before first use
Click Here to shop our collection of Non Toxic Food Grade Silicone Products.