Purchasing a silicone kitchen utensil set is a good investment for those who like to cook at home. Silicone utensils have many advantages over plastic or nylon utensils, and or a good adjunct to metal utensils, particularly in kitchens where non-stick pots and pans are used.
What is silicone?
Silicone is a polymer that is used in a variety of applications. Because it is a sturdy material that is sturdy, heat resistant, odorless, tasteless and non-reactive, it is often used to make kitchen utensils such as:
Pancake turners
Bowl scrapers
Tongs
Trivets
Hot pads, oven mitts and handle covers
Whisks
Strainers
Spreader spatulas
Most cooking utensils can be found made in silicone: A silicone kitchen utensil set will often include just about every utensil used in home kitchens.
Advantages of silicone utensils
Many people purchase silicone utensils for use in their home kitchens. Silicone has many advantages over plastic, nylon, wood and metal utensils:
Stays cool: Silicone utensils do not conduct heat, making them an excellent choice for spoons and ladles they can be used when stirring and serving hot stews, soups, and other dishes.
Heat resistance: If a cook leaves a utensil in a pan or on a stove or grill, there is the risk of it melting, burning and possibly creating fumes. Silicone is heat resistant and does not create dangerous fumes. It is also less likely to be damaged by the heat or the flame.
Doesn't react or corrode: Metal utensils can react to some food ingredients, including citrus, tomatoes and other foods high in acid. This can result in damage to the utensil. It can also create an unpleasant taste in the foods being prepared. Silicone is non-reactive and will ensure that recipes turn out well.
Doesn't damage pots and pans: Metal utensils should never be used when preparing food in nonstick pots and pans. The utensils can scrape off the nonstick coating. This makes the pot or pan ineffective. Silicone utensils don't scrape surfaces, ensuring that a cook will be able to use the nonstick cookware for a long time.
No sharp edges: A silicone kitchen utensil set is a good way to introduce kids to cooking and kitchen safety. Unlike metal utensils, silicone has no sharp edges, which can reduce the risk of injury.
Dishwasher safe: Wooden kitchen utensils have the advantage of staying cool when used in hot pots and pans. However, they easily stain, can absorb food flavors and odors, and are not dishwasher safe. Silicone utensils can go right into the dishwasher and are largely stain-resistant.
Color coordination: Some home cooks like for everything in their kitchen to be color coordinated. It is possible to buy a silicone kitchen utensil set to match most color schemes.
Purchasing a silicone kitchen utensil set
Cooks who are considering buying silicone utensils should pay close attention to how well the tools are constructed: Ideally, a cook should select tools that fit well in the hand and are comfortable to use. Cooks with a limited repertoire may only need to purchase one or two utensils, though most will benefit from owning an entire silicone kitchen utensil set.