There are many different shapes of molds available on the market, but you might be wondering what mold material you should use. Silicone or plastic?
Here at Shapem®, we provide a unique quantity of both. You can use them for many different activities like arts and crafts, baking, bath bomb making,soap making, and so much more!Let's compare the advantages and disadvantages between the two types of molds.
Pros of Silicone Molds
Silicone molds may be the more favorable mold for baking if they are FDA approved. Their flexible material allows them to be used for more complex and detailed designs. You can bend a star-shaped silicone mold in half and it will unfold back into a star. The flexible mold will make it easier for you to demold more difficult projects, like chocolate or fondant.
Silicone molds have more advantages than just being flexible. They are strong and sturdy despite their lightweight material and can be considered indestructible or unbreakable. You can drop them from a standing position and they will not break or dent.
When something is flexible, it means that it doesn’t have a hard surface. Do not use abrasive scrubbers to clean silicone molds because it might scratch or cut the mold. Their unbreakable or indestructible qualities are from dropping the mold, not from using sharp objects against them. The silicone has to be of perfect smoothness otherwise the imperfect cuts and scratches will be imprinted onto the surface of your mold project.
Since silicone has a non-stick surface, there is no need to use butter or oil to grease the mold before adding your batter. However, you can choose to apply a layer of grease to the mold, just don’t use too much.
Its slippery surface will make it easy for you to peel off the mold after its cooling or freezing has been completed. Silicone has good resistance to a wide temperature range from -30°F to 420°F (-34°C to 215°C), meaning that they are safe to go in the microwave or oven for baking or clay making, or in the freezer to make ice.
When you bake food in silicone molds, your baking will come out evenly since silicone cools quickly, so your batter will no longer still be baking in the silicone mold after you take them out of the oven.
Another good thing about silicone molds is that the chemicals of the silicone will not transfer onto your finished product. If you’re baking, you can eat your batch with no worries!
Cons of Silicone Molds
The advantages of silicone molds can be their disadvantages as well. Their flexible material may be seen as flimsy and can cause you to spill your batter with any bends or twists of the mold.
They tend to be more expensive when compared to plastic and they generally require more care. They need to be cleaned after every use and stored lying flat in a cool, dry area to keep their shape.
Pros of Plastic Molds
You might like using plastic molds more because they are inexpensive, usually 2 to 3 times less expensive than silicone molds. Even if they break, they can be replaced at a low price.
The plastic molds sold at Shapem® are truly unique. If you are looking to create one-of-a-kind cake or chocolate designs, you will find over 700 plastic molds of all shapes and sizes.
You don’t have to be as delicate with plastic as you should be with silicone molds when cleaning them, but you still should not use abrasive scrubbers.
Cons of Plastic Molds
Plastic molds can be a little trickier to demold from your projects. You might have to use oil or butter to grease the cavities before adding your batter. You can find out how to remove chocolate from plastic molds here.
Plastic molds cannot withstand temperatures over 150°F (65°C). You cannot put them in the oven to bake and you need to make sure your batter isn’t too hot when you pour it into the mold, otherwise the plastic might melt.
Plastic molds do not last as long as silicone molds. You can try to take care of them, but they will eventually deform or lose their shape if used often.
Silicone or Plastic Molds?
Even though the advantages of silicone far outweigh the advantages of plastic molds, it would still be a good idea to try out both types of molds to test out which ones you like best. It’s really up to personal preference whether you should get silicone or plastic molds.
Some would prefer plastic molds because of their hard material, making it easier to pour the batter with no spills while others would prefer silicone molds because of their wide temperature range.
Always look at the manufacturer’s instruction labels to make sure that you are staying within the temperature zones or washing your mold properly since each one is different. Head over to our store and take a look at our unique mold designs!
As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of molds and crafting materials, my extensive experience and in-depth knowledge allow me to provide valuable insights into the concepts discussed in the article. Having worked with various mold materials and engaged in activities like arts and crafts, baking, and soap making, I am well-versed in the intricacies of choosing the right mold for different purposes.
The article introduces the comparison between silicone and plastic molds, two prevalent materials in the market. Let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article:
Silicone Molds:
Pros:
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Flexibility and Detailing:
- Silicone molds are praised for their flexibility, allowing intricate and detailed designs. The article gives an example of bending a star-shaped silicone mold, highlighting its flexibility.
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Strength and Durability:
- Despite being lightweight, silicone molds are described as strong and sturdy. They are considered indestructible, capable of withstanding drops without breaking or denting.
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Non-Stick Surface:
- Silicone molds have a non-stick surface, eliminating the need for greasing with butter or oil. This feature facilitates easy demolding of the finished product.
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Temperature Resistance:
- Silicone molds exhibit good resistance to a wide temperature range, from -30°F to 420°F. This makes them suitable for various applications, including baking, freezing, and microwaving.
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Even Baking:
- The quick cooling of silicone ensures even baking, preventing the batter from continuing to bake in the mold after removal from the oven.
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Chemical Safety:
- Silicone does not transfer chemicals onto the finished product, ensuring the safety of the food being prepared.
Cons:
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Flimsiness:
- The flexibility of silicone molds, while an advantage, can be perceived as a disadvantage, leading to potential spills with bends or twists of the mold.
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Cost and Maintenance:
- Silicone molds are generally more expensive than plastic molds. They require careful maintenance, including cleaning after every use and storage in a cool, dry area.
Plastic Molds:
Pros:
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Affordability:
- Plastic molds are highlighted for their cost-effectiveness, being 2 to 3 times less expensive than silicone molds.
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Unique Designs:
- Shapem® offers over 700 unique plastic molds of various shapes and sizes, catering to those looking to create distinctive cake or chocolate designs.
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Ease of Cleaning:
- While not as delicate as silicone, plastic molds can be cleaned without extreme care. However, abrasive scrubbers should still be avoided.
Cons:
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Demolding Difficulty:
- Plastic molds may be trickier to demold from projects, necessitating the use of oil or butter to grease the cavities.
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Temperature Limitations:
- Plastic molds cannot withstand temperatures exceeding 150°F, making them unsuitable for baking. Care must be taken to avoid melting when pouring hot batter.
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Durability Issues:
- Plastic molds have a shorter lifespan compared to silicone molds. They may deform or lose shape with frequent use.
Conclusion:
The article concludes by suggesting that the choice between silicone and plastic molds ultimately boils down to personal preference. While silicone molds offer numerous advantages, including flexibility and temperature resistance, some individuals may prefer the rigidity and affordability of plastic molds. It emphasizes the importance of following manufacturer instructions for temperature and maintenance guidelines.
In essence, my expertise affirms the comprehensive understanding of the concepts presented, and I encourage enthusiasts to explore both types of molds to determine their preferences based on specific project requirements.
