Silicone

[bluejeanz]

This seems to be the newest big thing in kitchenware. I think I must have everything ever made in silicone. I just love the stuff, especially the mats (much cheaper than the French variety I shelled out $20 each for) and the collapsible colanders.

Anyone else like or use these products?

[Food Network Fan]

I like the wooden spoon replacements Williams Sonoma has with the "spoonula" head on a wooden stick. I have several of those. I also have one that is metal that is made like the traditional wooden spoon shape but the actual spoon part is silicone. I have a large mat for rolling out dough and a small baking mat.

I have some of the bakeware, but it seems so floppy. I don't use it very often.

[Chefnot]

We are sticking to wood, I refuse to budge!

[Food Network Fan]

I fear the germs get trapped in the wood.

[Clove]

Originally Posted by Food Network Fan

I fear the germs get trapped in the wood.

That's for what bleach rags are.

[Food Network Fan]

Eww then they absorb the bleachy smell and I am afraid of getting that in the food. And bacteria might crawl into the wood deeper than the bleach can reach, since that stuff breeds. Anything that creates that much fear for me I would rather do without. I am happy with the silicone. I want another of the ones like this, I love this spoon.

Tovolo Silicone Mixing Spoon - Red


This sleek red silicone mixing spoon by Tovolo is designed to handle even the thickest batter with comfort and ease. The brushed 18/10 stainless steel handle is oval-shaped for comfort, and, unlike with wooden spoons, the silicone head will not discolor or absorb aromas. It's heat resistant to 600°F/300°C and is dishwasher safe.

[bluejeanz]

I use wooden spoons for cooking all the time but they're treated first. Plus, they're so inexpensive that you can just chuck them and buy new ones.

All of the silicone spatulas/spoonulas that I own have a plastic handle because I'm like you; unsure about all the cracks and crevices the cooties could grativate to, LOL. In fact, some of the original ones that I bought, I ended up throwing out because the silicone heads came right off. I wasn't sure if that was for better sanitation or what but I still didn't feel safe with the wood.

Now that I said that out loud I guess I'm contradicting myself with my first comment about the wooden spoons. I never heard of anyone dying in the old days from using wooden cutting boards but I still prefer the acrylic or rubber ones.

The bakeware is great. All you have to do is put it on a cookie sheet to make it stable. But the release qualities alone are worth buying them.

[Food Network Fan]

I have a nice silicone brioche pan. I have used it a couple of times, I agree things come out very easy.

[Clove]

Originally Posted by Food Network Fan

Eww then they absorb the bleachy smell and I am afraid of getting that in the food. And bacteria might crawl into the wood deeper than the bleach can reach, since that stuff breeds. Anything that creates that much fear for me I would rather do without. I am happy with the silicone. I want another of the ones like this, I love this spoon.

Tovolo Silicone Mixing Spoon - Red


This sleek red silicone mixing spoon by Tovolo is designed to handle even the thickest batter with comfort and ease. The brushed 18/10 stainless steel handle is oval-shaped for comfort, and, unlike with wooden spoons, the silicone head will not discolor or absorb aromas. It's heat resistant to 600°F/300°C and is dishwasher safe.

Suzie,

I guess you'll have to make your point with the many generations of butchers and professional kitchen designers who always use oil and paraffin cured wooden boards that are wiped down with a bleach rag and pass BoH checks.
As cook's spoons are usually put in service to stir cooking foods, they are less susceptible to bacteria than raw meats being butchered on wooden cutting boards.
The real advantage of kitchen grade silicon is it ability to stand up to high heats, up to 800F. Wood will burn at much lower temperatures.
Great for stirring molten sugar and the like as things do not stick to silicon as they to would with a wooden tool.

[Food Network Fan]

They can use them if they want. I just can't do it. Personal preference I suppose.