People often ask multiple questions about the air fryer, and the majority of these questions hinge on what can be put in the air fryer. You’ll find questions like, “can silicone molds be used in an air fryer?”
Well, if you’re among the category of people asking this question, you’re in the right place to get the answers you seek. Here, we’ll answer the question and clear any doubt you may have about using silicone molds in an air fryer.
Keep reading to know more!
What is Silicone and Reasons To Use It In The Kitchen?
If you have silicone utensils in your kitchen, chances are, you must have experienced the several benefits of using them.
But if you don’t have silicone utensils, read to understand how beneficial they are and why you should have them in your kitchen.
Firstly, what are silicones? These are large molecules formed of diverse subunits. Another thing to note is that these polymers are made up of siloxane.
In plain terms, silicon is present in sand, extracted, and then passed through hydrocarbon. It undergoes diverse processes to form the silicone material you’re seeing today.
Alright, that is a simple explanation of what silicone is. Now, here are the various forms and applications of silicone:
- They are used as a sealant in the maintenance and construction of buildings.
- Silicone’s medical application includes manufacturing catheters, breast implants, and even menstrual cups, finger and foot joints, contact lenses, heart valves, drains, etc.
- Silicone is used in parchment paper to ensure broiled, or baked foods don’t stick to the paper.
- The silicone in grease makes it useful in plumbing. It helps prevent the 0-ring in the bathroom faucet and kitchen from drying and having cracks.
- Silicone is among the ingredients you’ll find in most non-stick sprays available in the market.
- Silicone rubber is used in the form of stirring and serving spoons, and spatula
The second question you should be asking is the reason to consider using silicone in the kitchen. What makes using cooking utensils and tools in the kitchen important?
First and foremost, understand that silicone cooking utensils and tools boast properties that make them superior to kitchen tools made from wood, rubber, and metal, including glass material. You would even find some silicone items in vibrant hues.
Now, let’s forget about the appeal and see how silicone items compare to others. In other words, here are the properties silicones have:
1. Ability to withstand a wide variety of temperatures
Silicone is stable, non-reactive, and above all, can withstand extreme temperature changes. In other words, its physical structure and properties would remain intact even when subjected to extremely low or high temperatures.
For the records, silicone can withstand temperatures as low as -67 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 572 degrees Fahrenheit.
A Handy Tip: Air fryers produce temperatures as high as 500 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning silicone items can survive in them.
Silicone items’ impressive temperature resistance makes them ideal for cooking. For instance, you can leave your silicone turners in the pot for a long period, and it won’t melt, whereas other turners would melt and make your food uneatable.
Interesting, you will even find silicone potholders that do a great job in helping you to grab and remove hot pots or a dish from an oven.
The potholders would protect your hands from getting burnt.
2. Longer shelf-life
The long shelf-life of silicone cooking utensils and tools has also made them a must-have in the kitchen. If used appropriately, silicone items can last more than 10 years.
A Handy Tip: Understand that silicone melts. But its melting point is 2577 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Stain resistant
Let’s be sincere; this is one of the properties that set silicone apart. Now, think about this. Have you ever used a rubber spatula to stir a spaghetti sauce? Was the stain easy or difficult to get rid of from the rubber spatula? Well, that’s always going to be the case.
Excitingly, silicone spatulas won’t get stained even if you use them to stir dark foods. Additionally, they are super easy to clean and can retain their colors for a long while.
So, how are silicone spatulas able to resist stains? It is because they are non-porous. Thus, it doesn’t absorb any color from food. They are also scentless and don’t absorb odor from food too.
Can you wash silicone utensils in a dishwasher? Yes, you can.
4. Silicone is an anti-bacteria material
Silicone items won’t kill off bacteria. That isn’t the reason they’re anti-bacterial. It is because they are non-porous. Thus, unlike wooden utensils where bacteria can inhabit and grow in their spore, they can’t do the same on silicone utensils
5. Silicone is anti-slip
The anti-slip property of silicone makes it ideal for diverse tasks such as grilling, cooking, baking, and serving. You can even use them to hold your hot plate to ensure it doesn’t fall off your hands.
Silicone’s anti-slip properties make it useful for a range of tasks. For instance, they are used as jar openers.
Have you tried drying your glasses and cups in a silicone trivet? Give it a try, and you’ll be glad you did. Why? Your glass and cups won’t slip off and shatter. Using the silicone trivet is a simple way to safeguard your favorite kitchenware.
Can You Use Silicone Molds in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can put silicone molds in your air fryer and cook or reheat your foods safely. Firstly, silicone is made of silica (sand). Thus, there is no way harmful chemicals would leech into your food, even when cooking at extremely high temperatures.
Furthermore, if you have concerns about foods sticking to your metal cookware’s surface, silicone molds would make a wise choice. Interestingly, these molds can handle any temperature range an air fryer throws at them.
What If You Don’t Have Silicone Molds?
Well, if you don’t have silicone molds to use in the air fryer, you can seek other alternatives. Just ensure any silicone mold alternatives you plan to use are oven-proof. Otherwise, you might not get the result you so desire.
Here are some air fryer-safe silicone molds alternatives you can use:
1. Ceramic containers
These containers imply ceramic cookeries such as bowls, plates, and even cups. You’ll also find them in different forms, such as ceramic containers with metallic coating and ones without metallic coatings.
Interestingly, both types of ceramic containers are ideal for use in an air fryer. They tend to keep their properties, structure, and shape under high temperatures.
However, ensure the ceramic container doesn’t have any artwork or painting.
Furthermore, you can use ceramic cookery in your air fryer.
2. Glass containers
Glass containers’ “see-through” design makes using them for cooking easier. You can check up on your food at intervals and ensure you get the desired doneness.
Glass containers don’t hold on to past flavors. Thus, your foods won’t end up with flavors from past foods cooked in the same glass container.
However, ensure the glass is oven safe and endeavor to cook slowly.
3. Cast iron skillets and pans
You can use these in your air fryer safely. Just ensure the lid you’re using is also oven-safe.
4. Stainless steel pots, bowls, and pans
You can comfortably put stainless steel cookware in your air fryer. Why? They are oven-safe. But ensure your stainless pots, pans, or bowls don’t have plastic handles or any other attachment that cannot withstand high heat.
5. Non-stick Teflon containers
Yes, you can throw Teflon containers in your air fryer, and it would come out the same way it went into the appliance.
Interestingly, Teflon’s non-stick property means your food won’t stick to the container. Your muffin will come off once it’s ready for consumption.
Tips For Using Silicone Molds
Using silicone molds makes cooking interesting. Why? Silicone boasts numerous properties that help you prepare healthy and delicious meals.
However, there are tips to help you use silicone molds properly. Let’s share some here.
1. Always consider temperature
You need to understand the temperature your silicone mold bakeware can handle before you start using it. Normally, silicone can endure high temperatures, up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. But bear in mind that all bakeware isn’t equal.
2. Grease can be helpful
Greasing or using a cooking spray can make baking or cooking in a silicone mold a breeze. Washing will be a breeze too.
3. Consider the quality
Only buy silicone molds made of 100 percent silicone with no added fillers.
4. Consider silicone mold sizes
Regular-shaped molds that boast average sizes are quite ideal. They will make so much difference if you plan to cook for many individuals at once.
What To Look For When Buying Silicone For an Air Fryer?
The market is awash with various silicone molds. Thus, you’ll find some quite thin silicone utensils, with some looking a bit fragile.
These types of silicone aren’t the best option to use in an air fryer, given the high amount of heat the appliance produces. Instead, go for silicone much thicker and sturdier.
In a nutshell, before you buy any silicone kitchenware, ensure it is 100 percent silicone. In other words, it shouldn’t have any filler.
Conclusion: Can silicone molds be used in an air fryer?
Yes, they can. However, using silicone molds is considered oven-safe if you’re unsure.
In general, silicone boasts remarkable properties that make it a must-have in the kitchen. They are stain-resistant, would tolerate temperature changes impressively, and boast a longer lifespan.
However, we also discussed other alternatives you can use in the absence of silicone molds. These include glass containers, ceramic containers, Teflon, and cast iron skillet.
