Silicone Kitchen Utensils – Are They Any Good?
There is a growing consumer awareness and acceptance of silicone products in areas traditionally dominated by other products, like steel, aluminum, plastic and stainless steel. Silicone products tend to be more colorful and unique just as the silicone itself is unique. Skip the next paragraph if you are not into science! Silicon is made from silica, a non-metallic chemical element in the carbon family and makes up 27% of the earth’s crust. It is the second most abundant element in the crust, only exceeded by oxygen. Silica is found in almost all rocks, clay, sand and soils. Silicone is a polymer in which silicon and oxygen alternate in a chain and are bound to various organic radicals, such as phenyl and methyl. Enough of the science! It was discovered in the early 1800s, but not used commercially until the 1940s. However in 2004, the introduction of silicone brushes and subsequent bakeware and other kitchen products has made silicone a household name in some parts of the world. Nevert
