Are silicone baking dishes dishwasher safe?

Hundreds of thousands of housewives use silicone baking molds because they are convenient. Firstly, the products come off very well, and secondly, they bake more evenly and do not burn. However, when you have a mountain of those dirty ramekins sitting in the sink waiting to be washed, you don't really want to wash them by hand. There is a great desire to start washing silicone baking dishes in the dishwasher, but it’s somehow scary that the silicone surface will deteriorate and the baked goods will start to stick to it. You need to find out everything first, and only then decide to go for a machine wash.

Machine wash

There are no special restrictions for washing silicone baking dishes in the dishwasher. Moreover, manufacturers of silicone cookware often recommend washing their products in the dishwasher. Why is that?

First of all, because in a dishwasher the molds are washed under the influence of hot water and detergents. The mechanical impact on them will be minimized and this is very good, because the silicone surface is not afraid of cleaning chemicals and boiling water, but is afraid of brushes and sponges with abrasive pads. Some manufacturers of silicone molds even provide recommendations regarding the choice of washing programs and placement of molds in dish baskets.

1. Place the ramekins in the upper dish basket or cutlery tray.
2. Load other dishes.
3. Place a dose of powder or tablet in the special compartment.

Don't forget to check for salt and rinse aid.

4. Close the wash chamber door and start the pre-soak programme.It is in this program that molds coated with oil or cooking oil will be washed in the best possible way.
5. After pre-soaking, the machine will run the normal washing program and the molds will be like new again.

To avoid damaging the molds in the future, experts recommend always lubricating them with oil or cooking oil before use. The oil prevents the silicone surface from degrading, but if you ignore the advice, the silicone molds will begin to spoil the baked goods. You might also be interested in, Can cupronickel be washed in the dishwasher?.

Hand wash

When washing silicone by hand, many people neglect basic rules. The products, naturally, deteriorate, and then housewives scold the manufacturers for low-quality molds, plates, etc. In general, before using something new, always read the instructions first, don’t be lazy, this is very important. So, how to properly clean silicone baking dishes if you don’t have a dishwasher at home.

1. Dissolve a small amount of gel detergent in a bowl of warm water.
2. Shake the detergent in the water until foam forms.
3. Place the silicone molds into the solution and leave there for about 10 minutes.
4. Take a soft cloth or sponge and wash each mold right there in the basin.
5. Rinse the molds with clean warm water, dry with a soft towel and put away until next use.

It is strongly recommended not to use brushes, pipe cleaners, rags made of rough fabric, or sponges with abrasive pads - nothing that can scratch the soft and delicate silicone layer. Once covered with micro-scratches, the silicone molds will begin to stick strongly to the baked goods, and they will simply stop turning out.The same requirements apply to all utensils made from this material. The more carefully you treat it, the longer it will please you.

In conclusion, we note that you should not be afraid to wash silicone molds in the dishwasher; nothing bad will happen to them. Even if you turn on the longest washing program in very hot water, the molds will not lose any of their wonderful properties. So feel free to load the forms into the machine and wash them using any program you like, but it’s better to include pre-soaking. Good luck!

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