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Using silicone moulds in the kitchen
Using silicone moulds in the kitchen
Food-safe silicone moulds are durable and versatile, but need the right care. On this page you will read how to clean silicone moulds, why they get dirty, what the temperature range is and what to watch out for with the microwave and dishwasher.
Cleaning
Prevent your silicone moulds from getting dirty. Especially animal oils and fats such as chicken fat are notorious for this, but vegetable oils are also at the top of the list.
Why do silicone moulds get dirty? This phenomenon is inherent to silicone rubbers due to their slightly porous structure. Oil and fat molecules fit into the microscopic cavities between the silicone chains. When heated, these cavities become larger, which worsens the problem. When cooling, the cavities become smaller, which pushes part of the oil or fat back out. This leads to contamination and can cause a rancid smell and white residue on the moulds.
Independent tests show that up to 20% of the weight of silicone moulds can consist of absorbed fats and oils. That sounds like a lot, but the good news is that this problem is easy to solve with hot water.
1-step cleaning
Immerse the moulds for about 10 minutes in hot water with dish soap or another grease-dissolving soap, then rinse and pat dry. You can also use hot water with alcohol. Note: high concentrations of alcohol can attack silicones, a solution of about 10% alcohol probably works well.
2-step cleaning
Sprinkle the moulds with baking soda and rub it in gently. Let it sit for a minute. Then immerse the moulds as above in hot water with dish soap, let them soak for 10 minutes, rinse and pat dry. The 2-step method is the most effective.
Pat dry, do not rub. This prevents damage to the silicone. Do not use kitchen paper, a towel or industrial cleaning cloths that can be abrasive.
Consider testing the cleaning methods to determine the cause of the contamination. Regular cleaning after a number of uses can prevent the problem.
Loss of gloss of the mould
Loss of gloss can be caused by aggressive industrial cleaners or by the use of abrasive cloths or materials. This can reduce the gloss of the moulds. Although loss of gloss is often seen as normal wear, good cleaning in food contact applications takes priority over wear or the lifespan of the mould.
Food and skin contact
Silicone moulds made of our food-safe silicones must still be tested for the specific application according to the BfR guidelines (German legislation) or the FDA guidelines.
Temperature range
Our silicones are suitable for long-term use between -40 and +180 degrees Celsius. At temperatures between 180 and 200 degrees Celsius and with short heating above 200 degrees Celsius, the properties must be evaluated by the manufacturer or end user.
| Application | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Long-term use | -40 to +180 degrees Celsius |
| Range to evaluate | 180 to 200 degrees Celsius |
| Short heating | Above 200 degrees Celsius, evaluate properties |
| Microwave | Safe up to 180 degrees Celsius |
Microwave
Our silicones contain no materials that react to microwave frequencies and are safe to use at temperatures up to 180 degrees Celsius.
Dishwasher
Silicone moulds are tested for hand washing and remain undamaged as long as they are not scrubbed intensively. Normal dishwashers with non-aggressive detergents are usually suitable, but end users should test this themselves. Do not wash silicone moulds together with dishes that contain intensely coloured materials, such as pasta sauce.
All values provided are indicative and not guarantees. Always check the suitability of the mould for your process yourself. Since we do not produce the moulds ourselves, we take no responsibility for the end results or improper use of moulds.