Over the past decade, commercial grade silicone kitchen tools have made their way into the home, especially in the form of non-scratch spatulas and bake ware. Inherently anti-microbial and easy to clean, silicone has a melting point of 450 to 930 degrees Fahrenheit (232 to 498 C) depending on the product. This makes it safe for dishwashers, but not necessarily for all cooking applications. Products don’t always have their melting points imprinted on them, so be sure to use your silicone tools and bake ware within product guidelines–don’t melt your new sauce brush on a 700 degree grill! However, for lower temperature cooking, such as sautéing or simmering, silicone kitchen tools can be an invaluable tool for the home cook, especially when using non-stick pans. Other products, like silicone cookie sheets, can be used in ovens safely, at the prescribed temperatures. In general, silicone should not be used for deep frying or very high temperature cooking processes, such as broiling, grilling, or stir-frying in a wok.
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