9 Best Silicone Kitchen Utensils To Protect Your Cookware posted by Taylor Munsell Pin Share Tweet Email SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Silicone cooking utensils are the most useful pieces of equipment to come onto the culinary scene in the past 50 years. I know that’s a bold statement, but it’s true; silicone is the closest thing we have to a man-made miracle in the kitchen. I could write all day about the way in which silicone cookware is amazing, but let me spare you that experience and just name a few of the big ones: Silicone utensils will not damage cookware because they’re rubbery and slightly soft. Since you can’t use metal utensils on nonstick surfaces, silicone utensils are nearly an essential in the modern kitchen. Silicone kitchen utensils have a very high heat resistance, often over 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The texture of silicone cookware is amazing. It’s firm enough to push or even cut objects but also slightly pliable to scrape the remnants from the bottom of a bowl. Silicone cookware is inexpensive. They’re extremely durable and won’t degrade over time. Silicone cookware is stain-resistant and non-corrosive. They look nice. A well-designed piece of silicone cookware looks right at home in a top-of-the-line modern kitchen. I could go on, but you probably get the point: silicone cookware is the wave of the future. In this post, I’ll tell you how to identify good-quality silicone cookware and even recommend nine of my favorite silicone implements. I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about silicone cookware. What To Consider When Buying Silicone Utensils If you’re the independent shopper type and would rather look through silicone utensil options for yourself, just be sure to consider these factors before you buy: Other Materials First, make sure the utensil is 100% silicone. A tiny percentage of another material (such as plastic) is fine, but too much of it means that it will detract from the miraculous features silicone brings with it. A good way to test for purity is by picking up the utensil in both hands and twisting it like you’re a kid giving someone an Indian burn. Pure silicone will not discolor too much when twisted, but silicone with a lot of fillers will turn white with strain after just a slight twist. Bend Pliability is one of the key benefits of silicone kitchen utensils, so you don’t want something that’s as hard and unforgiving as a glass or wooden rod. You don’t want something on the other end of the spectrum either, though: a floppy utensil that won’t even be able to stir thick mixtures. Test the utensil by pushing it down onto the table. It should not bend immediately, but it should bend just slightly when you apply a little pressure. Food Grade Not all silicone is food grade, and the stuff that is not could bleed harmful chemicals into your food, especially when heated up. Make sure the silicone kitchen utensil has a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) certification from the FDA. Handle Size I’ve found that, for whatever reason, silicone kitchen utensils have badly-sized handles more often than other materials. So it’s important to check that the handle is neither too thin nor too thick, fitting in your hand snugly without requiring you to strain your wrist just to hold it. Some silicone cooking utensils use a different material, like metal or wood, for the handle. That’s fine, but make sure there is no unruly seam between the two materials that water will get in during cleaning. Odor Resistance I’m not sure why, but some silicone kitchen utensils just absorb odor more than others if they are sitting in an odored substance (such as dishwater or tomato sauce) for a long time. Obviously, you don’t want that. Unfortunately, it’s pretty much impossible to test for odor resistance in the store, which is why I would recommend looking at reviews for the model or, better yet, going with one of the recommendations below. 9 Silicone Kitchen Utensils To Add To Your Kitchen Sifting through silicone kitchen utensil options on your own can be daunting, which is why I’ve put together this table of recommendations. In the table, I’ve tried to include one of each important utensil type. Below the table, you’ll find a section going into a bit more depth about each of my picks and why it’s on the list. Utensil TypeModelPrice ($-$$$$$)SpatulaSilicone Spatula$Oven MittsAll-Clad Silicone Oven Mitts$Tongs[amazon link=”B074WB5D79″ link_icon=”none” title=”Black Tongs” /]$LadleLadle$WhiskOXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk$Pastry BrushLe Creuset Silicone Pastry Brush$Pastry MatSilicone Pastry Mat$$SpoonSilicone Sauce Spoon$TurnerSilicone Turner$ 1. Spatula: Silicone Spatula by [amazon link=”B09S4NK8P2″ link_icon=”none” title=”Misen” /] [amazon fields=”B09S4NK8P2″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Misen Silicone Spatula”] The silicone spatula is the quintessential silicone kitchen utensil because it’s so versatile. It can stir, scrape, and flip food on virtually any surface better than any other material can. This model can do it all, and at an amazingly low price. This silicone spatula has just the right amount of give in the head, and the tapered design of the tip makes it feel nimble and pliable while at the same time sturdy. One corner of the head is curved so it hugs the bottom curve of a bowl nicely for scraping. The handle is also outstanding. It’s a bit on the thinner side (my only complaint about this otherwise fantastic spatula), but it has a series of raised dots that make gripping it very easy with just a light handhold. 2. Oven Mitts: All-Clad Silicone Oven Mitts by [amazon link=”B00UABR4OY” link_icon=”none” title=”All-Clad” /] [amazon fields=”B00UABR4OY” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”All-Clad Silicone Oven Mitts”] This oven mitt combines cotton and silicone to give the user the best of both worlds. The bulk of the oven mitt it made from cotton, just like a traditional model, to keep the heat out, give the mitt superior flexibility, and provide the wearer with optimum comfort. The cotton is treated with a thin silicone lining, though. That makes the mitt even better at resisting red hot temperatures and keeps it from getting stained. I also love how the silicone-treated oven mitt is available in 11 distinct color options, from cappuccino to corn flower to fennel. 3. Tongs: 2-Pack Black Kitchen Tongs by [amazon link=”B074WB5D79″ link_icon=”none” title=”ALLWIN-HOUSEWARE W” /] [amazon fields=”B074WB5D79″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”2-Pack Black Kitchen Tongs”] This set of tongs is another item that is only made partly from silicone. The bulk of the tongs is actually crafted from top-of-the-line 304 stainless steel, which gives the implements a very sturdy, heavy-duty feel. Both the tips of the tongs and a long strip on the outside edges of the tongs are made from hard silicone, though. The silicone strips on the sides make holding the tongs easier, since they are where your fingers naturally fall and they offer better grip than the comparably sticky stainless steel. The strips are even slightly indented so they give the user of the tongs an even better hold on the tool. The silicone at the tips of the tongs lets the implements grab food more securely. It also makes the tongs a lot easier to clean after use. Out of all the silicone kitchen utensils on this list, this set of two pairs of tongs might be the best value for what it costs. Plus, it’s available in nine vibrant colors. 4. Ladle: Ladle by [amazon link=”B071L8H6MR” link_icon=”none” title=”GIR” /] [amazon fields=”B071L8H6MR” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Get It Right Silicone Soup Ladle”] Being able to scrape hard-to-reach pan bottoms with a ladle is nicer than you’d think, and the silicone construction of this model allows you to do that with ease. It also has higher heat resistance than most other ladles, and it’s totally safe to use since it’s FDA- and LFGB-approved. The standout feature on this silicone ladle is the measurement system embossed into the soft material. You can use the measurements to ladle out exactly 0.25, 0.5, or 0.75 cups, a feature I’ve never seen on any other ladle and which I use surprisingly often. 5. Whisk: OXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk by [amazon link=”B007UEA0I6″ link_icon=”none” title=”OXO” /] [amazon fields=”B007UEA0I6″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”OXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk”] I have three parameters for a good whisk. Spoilers: this model aces all three. It has an easy-to-grip handle. This whisk’s handle is shaped like a teardrop, so it fits comfortably and solidly in your hand even when wet. It can withstand high heats. The silicone material for this whisk can be heated to 600 degrees safely. It has some way to dislodge food stuck inside the whisk. Since the silicone is slightly bendy, a few whacks will dislodge nearly anything. 6. Pastry Brush: Le Creuset Silicone Pastry Brush by Sur La Table This silicone pastry brush is so easy to clean that I don’t think I’ll ever be using a traditional pastry brush again. It’s also heat resistant and doesn’t retain odors, two problems I used to have constantly with my old pastry brush. It has the perfect amount of bend to really work the sauce you’re brushing into the food while still hugging the curves of the food nicely, too. The entire handle of this model is made from a light-colored wood, which I must admit was a great choice by Le Creuset. The wood feels great in the hand, and it is a perfect thickness for gripping without straining your wrist. It looks very nice, too. 7. Pastry Mat: Silicone Pastry Mat by Sur La Table This silicone pastry mat makes rolling perfect circles of dough easy with the variety of circular markings on it. You can even do your dough prep on the mat while it’s on the counter and then move the mat with the dough on it into the oven, thanks to silicone’s high heat resistance. Since the material’s natural nonstick properties are very good, the mat makes food release and cleaning up afterwards easy. The mat is easy to store too, because the silicone is pliable enough to roll up like a poster and store. I’ve used plenty of other baking mats, most of which are silicone, but this one is my absolute favorite. 8. Spoon: Silicone Sauce Spoon by Sur La Table One of the biggest issues I have with most serving spoons is that they absorb flavor, whether they’re wood or metal. This silicone serving spoon doesn’t absorb any flavor at all, even if you leave it sitting in the bowl of sauce or soup while the spoon is not being used. Since it’s silicone, you can even use it with nonstick cookware that scratches easily. The spoon is a good length and has a nice large “bowl” for scooping up big portions. It’s also very easy to hold, thanks to the ergonomic handle that’s bent ever-so-slightly and the easy-to-grip material. Best of all, it can be heated to 446 degrees Fahrenheit without any damage, so it will not release bad flavors and possibly harmful chemicals into your food like many metal and plastic serving spoons do when they’re submerged in hot foods. 9. Turner: Silicone Turner by Sur La Table The ability of silicone cooking utensils to be used on non-stick pans really shines with this silicone turner; I use it at least a few times a week to turn foods I’m frying or sautéing in a non-stick frying pan. Because that’s the best use for this implement (in my case, at least), it’s awesome that it can withstand heats up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Although the turner itself is made of silicone, I appreciate that the handle is made from stainless steel. It stays cool in your hand, and it gives the utensil a solid, sturdy feel. Silicone Utensil FAQ Are silicone cooking utensils toxic? No. Of course, some cheap silicone utensils have additives that can be toxic, so you should check to make sure the one you’re buying is FDA-approved. And even though silicone’s heat tolerance is much higher than that of, say, plastic, make sure not to heat it up over the figure listed in the instructions so as to avoid melting. Are all silicone spatulas heat resistant? Yes, silicone has a high heat resistance compared to most other kitchen utensils. The heat tolerance of silicone cooking utensils is usually 400-600 degrees Fahrenheit; check the instructions for an exact figure. How often do I need to replace my silicone cooking utensils? Silicone does not degrade over time so you never need to replace it. Of course, you’ll want to replace it if it actually snaps or melts because you expose it to more heat than it can tolerate. Can silicone utensils go in the dishwasher? Yes, silicone is totally dishwasher-safe. It’s heat- and-stain resistant, non-toxic, and can’t scratch other items in the dishwasher because of its soft exterior. What is the difference between silicone and nylon cooking utensils? Silicone has a much higher heat resistance than nylon utensils – silicone cooking utensils generally withstand heats up to 600 degrees and nylon usually melts at 400 degrees. Silicone also has a slightly bendy quality that the more rigid nylon does not have. A Final Thought Silicone kitchen utensils are superior to other materials in so many ways. They’re more durable, safer, easier to use, and longer-lasting. They’re also incredibly affordable given how awesome they are—I usually include a “budget” option in my review posts, but in this one I didn’t need to because all of the items are so cheap! There’s really no good excuse not to buy at least a few silicone cooking utensils, and I’d recommend filling your entire kitchen with them!
