Can You Microwave Silicone?

Almost every kitchen has a microwave, and for good reason! Microwaves offer a super-quick way to cook and heat up food, without having to use the oven or the stovetop.

When using a microwave, you would need a suitable, heat-resistant plate, bowl, or container to hold your food while it is warming in the microwave. One option is silicone.

Can you microwave silicone? You can microwave silicone, but you do have to be careful with the type of silicone you use in the microwave. Ideally, you should use food-grade silicone since it is resistant to higher temperatures and is safer to use with food under high heat.

Keep reading to find out more about using silicone in the microwave, when it is safe, and what the risks might be with microwaving silicone.

What Is Silicone?

Silicone, used for baking and cooking, is a synthetic polymer that contains various bonded chemicals, which after some processing, creates a flexible, rubber-like plastic that can be made food-grade and safe to use in the kitchen.

Silicone is a popular choice for bakeware and cookware as it has a high heat resistance and low toxicity, so it can be used in many different ways while still being safe.

Can You Microwave Silicone Items?

Silicone can be used in the microwave — most types of silicone bakeware and cookware are considered microwave-safe, but it is important to remember that some are not. Always check when in doubt.

Almost all silicone bakeware and cookware can be used in the oven, the freezer, and the microwave.

Made from food-grade silicone, there is no worry that a fluctuation in temperature will cause the silicone to leach into your food.

Food-grade silicone is very heat resistant and was made to withstand high temperatures. For this reason, you can use silicone bakeware and cookware in the microwave. 

Other than resisting high temperatures, food-grade silicone can also withstand temperature fluctuations.

This means you can take the silicone bakeware or cookware straight from the oven or microwave and place it directly into the freezer with no damage!

While you might get away with using any type of silicone in the microwave, we only advise using food-grade silicone in the microwave — this would be the safest option as it was made to hold food at high temperatures.

Are All Silicone Items Fine To Microwave?

Silicone can be used in the microwave, but you do have to be selective with the type of silicone products you use to heat food in the microwave, as well as the silicone products you use in the oven and freezer.

The only types of silicone bakeware and cookware you should use in the microwave should be verified food-grade silicone.

Food-grade silicone is a type of silicone that was made to be safe to use at high heat and is safe to hold food without the risk of any chemicals leaching into the food.

It is important to remember that food-grade silicone is different from normal silicone.

You need to be aware of the silicone products you have in the kitchen, and make sure that the silicone products you are using for high-heat cooking are food-grade.

The best way to determine whether or not your silicone bakeware or cookware is food-grade is to check for a food-grade label or to read the packaging that the silicone product came in.

Some food-grade silicone products will also have a symbol indicating that it is safe to use in the oven, freezer, and microwave.

Always look for the food-grade symbol on silicone bakeware or cookware before using it under high heat.

What Temperature Is Silicone Safe At?

Food-grade silicone is made to be much more resistant than normal silicone — it can withstand temperatures up to 480°F, and all the way down to -100°F.

This means that you can use it safely in your microwave, oven, and freezer without much concern.

Going beyond these temperatures can cause some problems with the silicone cookware — past this point, the silicone will lose some of its structure and will become brittle.

However, you should not have to use silicone above this temperature if you are just using it for everyday cooking in the microwave and oven.

What Are The Risks Of Microwaving Silicone?

Food-grade silicone is safe to use in the microwave, but there are some risks and cons that come with it too.

This will not have anything to do with the safety of your food or the ability of the silicone to be used in the microwave, but they are worth taking note of.

Loss Of Shape

Silicone can be used at high and low temperatures, but if you use silicone bakeware or cookware often and at high heat, then there is a chance that it could lose its shape over time.

This should not be an issue if you care for the silicone product properly and don’t use it at high heat too often and for prolonged periods of time.

Floppy Structure

One issue you might face with using silicone cookware, both in the oven and the microwave, is that it does not have a rigid structure.

This means you might not feel as though it offers enough support when placing food in the microwave or removing it from the microwave or oven.

One way to get around this is to place the silicone container onto a microwave-safe plate in the microwave, then use this plate to put the silicone in the microwave and when taking it out.

However, this might defeat the purpose as you would be using two dishes instead of one.

Hot To Touch

Silicone cookware and bakeware will be hot when placed into the heat of the oven or microwave, so it is something you need to be wary of when removing them from the microwave.

It is best to use a dishcloth or glove to grab hold of the silicone container once it is done in the microwave to prevent yourself from burning your hands.

Poor Heat Conductor

Silicone is a poor heat conductor, which means that it does not do such a great job of browning baked goods in the oven — they often turn out a lighter color.

However, this should not be a problem in the microwave, other than it taking a little longer for the food to heat evenly throughout.

Is Silicone Safer Than Plastic?

Another popular material used to heat food in the microwave is plastic containers, and you might be stuck choosing which would be the better option for you.

Plastic containers might seem more convenient to use to heat food in a microwave, as they are more rigid and you likely have the food stored in the plastic container already, but it is best to use silicone where possible.

You definitely do get microwave-safe plastic containers, but there is more chance of chemicals leaching into food from plastic containers than from silicone containers.

Silicone is also more heat-resistant, and will therefore last longer than plastic when used in the microwave. It also is more resistant to lower temperatures.

If you have the option, use food-grade silicone in the microwave in place of plastic when possible, but you should still be fine using a high-quality, food-safe plastic if that is all you have, or if that is what’s easier for you.

Can You Use A Silicone Muffin Pan In The Microwave?

Did you know that you can cook muffins in the microwave in just a few minutes? This cuts out so much time compared to using an oven! However, you might not have the right muffin pan to use to cook muffins in the microwave.

The good news is that you can use a silicone muffin pan in the microwave — it is a great way to cook some muffins in the microwave!

The only issue is that muffin pans can be slightly bigger than the inside of your microwave, so this would only work if you have a larger microwave, a smaller muffin pan, or individual muffin holders to use.

Just remember that silicone is quite floppy — take care when putting the muffin pan into the microwave, and when removing it, to prevent the batter and the cooked muffins from falling all over the place.

Is Silicone Dishwasher Safe?

One of the many benefits of using silicone cookware and bakeware is that it is dishwasher-safe, too! As it is heat-resistant, it can be successfully cleaned in the dishwasher time and time again with little-to-no wear and tear.

There are so many ways that silicone can be used in the kitchen, from the microwave to the freezer, and the oven to the dishwasher, so even just one piece of silicone bakeware and cookware can meet so many different needs.

Is Silicone Safe For Food?

Some people are worried that silicone might leach chemicals into food when exposed to heat, such as in the microwave, and while these concerns are valid, this is not a worry with food-grade silicone.

High-quality, food-grade silicone will not contain any fillers, and these fillers are what cause worry in silicone, as they can expel an odor that can sometimes transfer to the food it is cooking or which it contains.

As long as you choose high-quality and food-grade silicone, there should be no problem using it at high heat with food — it should be completely safe to do so.

Always check the label of the silicone product you are purchasing to check the heat resistance and whether it is safe to use in the microwave, oven, and freezer!

Can You Place Silicone Directly Onto A Heat Source?

Silicone can be used on various heat sources, but there are various precautions you need to take when using silicone in different appliances.

Cooking in the oven is very different from cooking in the microwave — therefore, there are some changes you need to make when using silicone bakeware or cookware in the various appliances.

In The Microwave

When using silicone in the microwave, it is a good idea to place the silicone bakeware or cookware onto a microwave-safe plate, as it will offer more stability when placing the food in the microwave and removing it.

Silicone can be quite floppy — maneuvering silicone into the small space of the microwave can be tricky without the support that a base plate might offer.

A plate will also be easier to use as a base if you are using a few small silicone containers, so you can place them into the microwave, and remove them, all in one go.

In The Oven

It is not a good idea to place silicone bakeware directly onto the oven rack, as once again it is floppy and is not too easy to maneuver around.

Rather, place the silicone bakeware or cookware onto a baking pan and then place it into the oven. This gives it good support so that nothing is spilled and it is easier for you when cooking or baking.

In The Freezer

Silicone can be placed into the freezer, but you do need to use a little bit of judgment when placing the silicone container into the freezer.

If it is a silicone container that seals airtight and offers good protection to the food, then it can be placed directly into the freezer as is.

However, if it is a silicone tray or muffin pan, and some of the food is left exposed, then there are some extra steps.

If there is food left exposed, it would be best to wrap the silicone container in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer-safe sealable bag to offer the food better protection and allow it to retain its best quality.

On the Stove

Even though silicone is resistant to high heat, it should not be placed directly onto the stovetop.

The only time you would be able to use silicone on the stovetop is if you are placing it into a pot to steam food or to poach some eggs, as the pot and the water will give it a barrier from the high heat of the stove.

Final Thoughts

Silicone can successfully be used in the microwave, but you do have to be careful with the type of silicone you use.

When using silicone for baking and cooking, whether in the oven or the microwave, it needs to be food-grade silicone and it needs to be heat-resistant.

Food-grade silicone is safe to use in the microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher, and good quality options will not contain fillers that might leach into your food.

Always read the label of the silicone cookware you have purchased just to double-check that it is safe to use, and it might be best to use a plate under the silicone product in the microwave to give it some stability.

Related Questions

Now that we’ve learned all about silicone and how to use it, plus when it’s safe to use, here are some additional questions we thought you might have.

Does silicone melt in the microwave?

Food-grade silicone will not melt in the microwave, but it will get hot in the microwave, so you must be cautious when removing it.

Is it better to use silicone or metal for baking?

There are benefits to using silicone for baking, just as there are benefits to using metal.

Silicone has high heat resistance and it is non-stick. However, it does not brown baked goods as well as metal baking goods do, so you will have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself to see which one suits your needs best.

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