Silicone for Baking and Storage

[KLS52]

I'm trying to get away from using so many plastic storage bags like Glad and Zip Loc. We go through way too many, mostly because they are so convenient. I do have a lot of glass containers and jars, but sometimes they just don't do the trick for something like a leftover onion or other things that just fit better in plastic bags. And glass is so clunky and takes up so much room sometimes.

I was thinking of investing in some reusable silicone items. I did some research but I'm not convinced they are actually safer than plastic. I have a silicone sling for baking my sourdough bread and some people comment that they don't use them because they still leach chemicals. And as a side note, I'm also seeing that tin foil and parchment paper is bad to use in cooking/baking.

Wondering what some of you think about it all. At 74, part of me is saying it doesn’t matter anymore, lol, but technically, I could still have another 20 years left in me!

 

[PTree15]

I haven’t researched the silicone baking items, but my inclination is to avoid them. I, too, have been trying to reduce my plastic use.

I have heard about the tin foil issues, but I wasn’t aware of issues with parchment paper. I will have to look into that, as I use it quite often.

 

[shyvas]

I use greaseproof paper when baking or making nut roast. It doesn't contain any chemicals. I suppose that parchment paper may be different.

 

[Emma JC]

I use ziploc bags all the time, however, I wash them and so haven't bought any new ones in a long time other than buying the larger ones with the zip top as they are wonderful for my various frozen veggies. I also use (and reuse) tin foil and if I am baking a garlic bulb, for example, I put the parchment paper inside the tinfoil so my food doesn't touch the tinfoil.

Emma JC
Find your vegan soulmate or just a friend. www.spiritualmatchmaking.com

 

[KLS52]

I found this with regard to parchment vs greaseproof paper.

What’s the Difference Between Baking Paper and Greaseproof Paper?

Understand the what's difference between baking paper and greaseproof paper—uses, heat resistance, safety, and when to use each one.

www.jotamachinery.com

 

[KLS52]

So parchment paper has a thin coating of silicone. Interesting.

 

[secondmayfly]

I'm trying to get away from using so many plastic storage bags like Glad and Zip Loc. We go through way too many, mostly because they are so convenient. I do have a lot of glass containers and jars, but sometimes they just don't do the trick for something like a leftover onion or other things that just fit better in plastic bags. And glass is so clunky and takes up so much room sometimes.

I was thinking of investing in some reusable silicone items. I did some research but I'm not convinced they are actually safer than plastic. I have a silicone sling for baking my sourdough bread and some people comment that they don't use them because they still leach chemicals. And as a side note, I'm also seeing that tin foil and parchment paper is bad to use in cooking/baking.

Wondering what some of you think about it all. At 74, part of me is saying it doesn’t matter anymore, lol, but technically, I could still have another 20 years left in me!

I haven't done much research, but I have a feeling that disposable plastic bags, designed to be as cheap to produce as possible, are probably going to leach a lot more that silicone bags built to be reused over time. Also, if both leach chemicals, I'd at least prefer a storage medium that doesn't contribute to the vast amount of plastic waste we already create. That being said, I don't know if the chemicals leached by plastic are more unsafe than those leached by silicone, or vice versa.

 

[silva]

I mostly use glass or stainless steel for storage but do reuse ziplok bags, and the bags I get from produce for things like a half an onion or pepper.
I still use Rubbermaid plastic containers a lot for work. Last I heard Dr Greger is okay with silicone for storage and baking.
My cookware is either stainless steel or cast iron
I use parchment a lot
I used to obsess about this, now I just try and stay practical. I went through a time of breaking glass

 

[KLS52]

I'm think I'm going to get a couple of the silicone containers but just for storage, not for reheating or baking/cooking. I keep seeing these sandwich size containers that will be good for when I have a leftover veggie burger or even when I have leftover veggies or something like soy curls.

 

[1956]

It’s interesting that you brought this subject up @KLS52 because I have recently been wondering about the health implications of using silicone products as well as the Environmental impact of it…
I’ve recently bought some of the resealable silicone bags for storing leftovers etc and I have been using silicone baking sheets and muffin tins for a few years now… They are So easy to clean! The only plastic I use are old containers I’ve had for years and I don’t use them in the microwave… I do reuse the biodegradable plastic bags I get from some of the Organic produce… I haven’t used tin foil in Years because of the aluminium health risk @Emma JC what you are doing sounds like a good idea using baking paper inside the foil to avoid contact with it…

 

[Emma JC]

I did try a silicon baking sheet once and it smoked and smelled so badly that I took it back to the store. I just use the non-bleached parchment paper or muffin cups wherever needed, however, I do not bake as much as many people here.

That was an interesting article and I think what the UK calls greaseproof paper we, here in Canada, call wax paper. I haven't used any of this for years and would never use it for baking or cooking.

Emma JC
Find your vegan soulmate or just a friend. www.spiritualmatchmaking.com

 

[1956]

I did try a silicon baking sheet once and it smoked and smelled so badly that I took it back to the store. I just use the non-bleached parchment paper or muffin cups wherever needed, however, I do not bake as much as many people here.

That was an interesting article and I think what the UK calls greaseproof paper we, here in Canada, call wax paper. I haven't used any of this for years and would never use it for baking or cooking.

Emma JC
Find your vegan soulmate or just a friend. www.spiritualmatchmaking.com

Hmm, that’s strange about the smell and smoke from the silicone baking sheet… I’ve never had an issue with the silicone products I have used…