Kitchen

[Kay SD]

Hey, folks, I need some info. I have several silicone pieces that I use in the microwave, mostly to steam veggies, sometimes to reheat things. They are by different manufacturers, some bought here at Q and some elsewhere. Orka, LeKue, etc. major brands.

After I've been using them for some time, they begin to have a greasy-feeling, smeary surface on them. It's not really oily--I do wash them every time I use them!--but it's icky, sort of sticky, and I can't seem to wash it off no matter what I use, so I end up tossing them even though they still function.

Is there something that acts as a sort of solvent and damages the surface of these types of materials? Maybe dishwasher soap? Some kind of food...If I knew what did this, I could avoid it.

Thanks!

[RedTop]

What you've described is the natural property of the silicone. That is the way your pieces are supposed to be. Even after they have been washed and rinsed well, your fingertips will make a greasy type smear---that is why your foods don't stick. Many people like yourself see this as there being something wrong with the product, and cannot deal with the thoughts their cookware is unclean, so they toss perfectly good pieces, simply because they do not understand silicone. You absolutely do not want your silicone bakeware or cookware to be dry and smudge free, as it would no longer have the natural property of being non-stick.

[chickenbutt]

RedTop - I never knew that. I have numerous silicone pieces and none of mine have ever gotten sticky at all. They are exactly as they were brand new.

Kay - I've been trying to figure out in my mind how to fix that but I have a feeling, particularly since it sounds like you use them primarily in the microwave, that it is just a minor breakdown of the silicone that would naturally occur from extensive microwave use.

Most of the silicone stuff I have has only been used in the oven, or stove top such as with utensils, and they don't get sticky at all, or even change.

[sixteencharacter]

I think I know exactly what you're talking about. I use Dawn Direct Foam Dishwashing Foam. It's in a dark blue bottle (at least mine is...but this may have changed). One warning, just use a pea-sized drop because it is soooo concentrated. I usually don't even use a cloth or sponge (just my hands) to keep from having to rinse out everything because if you use too much you'll never get it rinsed out. It has a squirt top, but if you used a whole squirt on something, you could clean your whole house! I've had my bottle for a long, long time because it doesn't take much. I use it every time I reheat or cook in my silicone and sometimes in my Sistema bowls. I can't stand that greasy feeling. That same type "film" gets on my teflon pan I fry eggs in and a drop of this takes care of it. Also if you've used a pot/pan with something really greasy, this takes care of it. I use regular blue Dawn for my dishes, but sometimes the Direct Foam is necessary. Hope this helps.

[forrestwolf]

I know exactly what you are talking about, and my spatulas are the worst.....and yes, I read that this is to be expected, and normal...... This was happening if I hand washed, or washed in the dishwasher, and now I ignore it, and it actually feels like my grannies prosthetic breast after her mastectomy, and she was the best cook in the world.....so as crazy as it sounds, every time I use my utensils and such, I recall her cooking in the kitchen......

[Mrsq2022]

I'm glad that someone asked about this. I don't have many silicone kitchen products, but the spatula and cupcake pan I have both have that stickiness. I thought that it was old oil that had hardened on there. I'm glad that I don't need to toss them.

[Kay SD]

Wow, have I ever learned a lot from all your answers! Thanks, everyone.

Red Top, so interesting, and you're right, I had no idea. So, what you are saying is that over time, the pieces are simply becoming more nonstick than they were even to begin with? In any case it's reassuring that this is normal (if a bit skeevy), not dangerous, and not a sign of damage.

Chickenbutt, I have the problem with my spatulas like some of the others, and they don't go in the 'wave or the dishwasher. Like CAshopper, figured it was oil and I was doing something "wrong," but couldn't figure out what.

Forrestwolf, makes me smile to think of you, thinking of your grannies!

I haven't had the stickiness thing with my Sistema pot, which is a smooth plastic rather than silicone. I've got that multicookor pot with the inside lid, and it makes an amazing steamer with a silicone rack thingy in the bottom.

You guys are great!

[CWS22]

I thought I had heard before that if you spray your silicone pan with Pam it'll develop a sticky glaze. At least that's what I recall - that you should never use Pam on nonstick surfaces or it'll leave a residue. Anyone else hear that?

[Kay SD]

I heard the rule as no Pam on teflon/other nonstick skillets and cookware, not silicone. Anyway, silicone doesn't stick, so you would probably never need to oil it or spray it.

[CWS22]

On 2/7/2015 Kay SD said:

I heard the rule as no Pam on teflon/other nonstick skillets and cookware, not silicone. Anyway, silicone doesn't stick, so you would probably never need to oil it or spray it.

Well Teflon & nonstick aren't supposed to stick either but some people still spray Pam on those surfaces.