Silicone plates are an important member of the tableware family and are often used by babies for eating. So, can dinner plates made of silicone be put in the microwave? What cautions?
The answer is yes.
silicone plates go in the microwave safe. However, it should be noted that not all silicone products are suitable for cooking in the microwave. Low-quality silicone may contain some cheap fillers that can release toxic substances during high-temperature heating. Only silicone products with food-grade silicone and clearly marked "microwave safe" can be used.
What is silicone?
Silicone is a synthetic compound containing fixed silicon, oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and the elements required for performance. Since silicone is an inert and soft rubber-like material, ithas many unique properties such as low toxicity, lightweight, high heat resistance, and easy cleaning, making it ideal for baby tableware.
Advantages of silicone
Designing any interesting shape
Excellent temperature resistance
Meeting all colors
Easy to disinfect and clean
Excellent wear resistance
High tear resistance and very durable
Resistant to bending and easy to carry
Superior non-stick quality compared to other plastic alternatives
Are silicone plates safe for babies?
Silicone plates made from 100% food-grade silicone have superior chemical inertness and high temperature resistance and will not release or leak chemicals harmful to babies including latex, phthalates, BPA, lead, cadmium, and PVC. This means that the silicone plates will not react with food during the entire heating process in the oven or microwave, and there will be no odor or by-products. So far, experts and authoritative organizations in many countries agree that silicone tableware and cookware are safe to use. Health Canada stated: "There are no known health hazards associated with use of silicone cookware. Silicone rubber does not react with food or beverages, or produce any hazardous fumes." These ensure safe use for babies. Food silicone also has excellent flexibility and is hypoallergenic, even if it comes into contact with the baby's tender skin for a long time during feeding, it will not cause tissue inflammation. Silicone also has very good mechanical properties and will not break even if dropped on the floor.
Can silicone plates go in the microwave?
Silicone plates can withstand very high heat and can be placed in a microwave or oven. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved silicone in 1979 as safe for general use and cooking without causing harmful chemical contamination of food.
What precautions should be taken when silicone plates go in the microwave?
Safety label: Before use, make sure that the instructions provided by the manufacturer or the outer packaging have a mark indicating that it is safe to use in a microwave oven.
Material compatibility: Before heating, confirm whether the material is 100% silicone. It cannot be used with some substances (metal, bamboo, plastic) that are not marked as microwave-safe.
Proper placement: Plates containing food should be placed on a special plate for the microwave, not directly inside the microwave. The position of silicone products should be in the center of the microwave oven to avoid burns.
Safety inspection: Check whether there are cracks or other damages immediately after purchase or before use. If there are defects, they should not be used in the microwave oven. The presence of any cracks, wear, or deformation may lead to a decrease in the performance of the silicone and even reduce the safety of the microwave oven. If products with these problems are found, it is recommended to replace or discard them.
Disinfection before use: For first-time use, the silicone plates can be steamed in a boiling pot for about 5-10 minutes to thoroughly sterilize them.
Operating temperature: Please pay attention to check whether the required temperature is reached during the heating process. When taking out the plates, please use special gloves to avoid burning your hands.
How to clean baby silicone plates？
If you find foreign objects or smells accumulating on the surface of the plate, please don’t worry too much. Here are a few ways to clear it.
Apply the juice of a lime or fresh lemon to the silicone and let it sit for about 15 minutes, then rinse manually with warm water using non-based soap or clean in the dishwasher (top rack).
For stubborn stains, you can use white vinegar to soak for more than 30 minutes to completely remove the oil stains.
For food fragments or odors that still remain on the silicone surface, the most common solution is to place the dinner plate in the oven and heat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-10 minutes, and finally soak it in hot water to help the food come off or Odor remove.
Final conclusion
Silicone plates are generally considered safe to go in the microwave, but some silicones containing fillings may be unstable at high temperatures and emit harmful by-products, Therefore they should be excluded.
