Silicone is the ideal material for extreme temperatures because it withstands high and low temperatures far better due to its ability to be used continuously at 150°C (302° F) with virtually no change in its properties. Silicone is considered part of the rubber family and can be used to make malleable rubber-like items, hard resins, and spreadable fluids. It is considered “FDA approved as a food-safe substance” and is generally considered inert. Silicone bakeware is tolerant of both heat and cold, and can be used in the oven at temperatures up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit. It can go directly from the oven to the freezer, is microwave safe, and easy to clean. Silicone rubber is a silicon polymer with rubberized qualities. All silicone is inert, it does not react with other elements or compounds. There are no known health hazards of silicone. Silicone is not biodegradable, but it can be recycled easily – where facilities exist.
