Question from Lana
Dear Debra, I came across this line of baking pans made in the US called USA Pan. It says it has natural silicone non-stick coating, PTFE and PFOA free. Would this be a good choice since silicone is considered safe so far. Bed Bath and Beyond caries this line.
Thank you so much.
Lana
Debra’s Answer
I called USA Pan and all they would tell me was what you said. I asked if it was 100% silicone and the woman said she believed they were (she wasn’t in customer service). I asked if it was like a silicone baking mat and she said yes.
These sound interesting. I’m going to go to Bed Bath & Beyond and take a look at them.
Has anyone tried these? Apparently they have been around for a while because the woman who answered the phone has been using them for years and loves them. She is constantly giving them as gifts. I know I would love a muffin pan with a silicone finish.
Hi Debra. I’m wondering if you are still using USA Pan bakeware? I don’t see a silicone-coated product at bed Bath & Beyond, but they do have some bakeware by USA Pan with Americoat, “a clear, nonstick coating” that does not contain PTFEs or PFOAs. They say the metal is “aluminized steel”. My daughter has taken up muffin baking to sell at our farmer’s market and I want to make sure the pan is safe. Also thinking about parchment paper baking cups instead of a new pan…that would also eliminate sticking and make cleanup easy, and I think parchment paper is relatively safe…yes? http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/usa-pan-nonstick-12-cup-muffin-pan/1016941441
Yes, these are the pans I use and I still love them.
Debra, did you ever look further into these pans? I just saw them at Bed and Bath and was also curious about them!
Totally fine. No problem I can find. I have several and love them.
Thank you! How exciting
I am wondering what makes the silicone bakeware such fun colors? Obviously some type of dye. I realize “they” say the silicone itself is inert, but the dye? And if it is dyed can it be called 100% silicone? I want to use the little silicone cupcake liners in my sons bento box when he starts daycare. I worry if oranges and other acidic foods will cause some reaction with them. I can find nothing that talks about this.
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
On Q&A: Silicone Storage Containers I posted some information about how silicone is made. This comes from Rich Bergstrom, one of the founders of Ceramcor, which makes Xtrema Cookware. He has first-hand experience manufacturing storage containers and steamers made from colored silicone and is very conscious about health issues. He says:
These pans are made very near to where I live in Pittsburgh, PA. I called to find out how safe these pans are a while ago. The customer service person I spoke to said there is a solvent used to liquify the silicone but the solvent is then evaporated out once the pan is coated and set into a very hot oven to evaporate the rest of the solvent leaving just silicone coating. Customer Service rep said that most of the baked goods you buy in a store is cooked in their pans. They are the leader in the commercial line of bakeware and are now branching out into the consumer sector. I have several of the different types of pans and they are wonderful to bake with. Pans are nicely weighted (not flimsy). You need to be careful not to scratch the silicone.
These are expensive -but last a lifetime.
There may be a local person makes em cheaper.http://cookonclay.com/shop/
Silcone with high heat or once there is other (chips, cuts) damage is NOT safe. Only use silcone for low/med heat uses.
I know that many say that silicone is safe. However it just doesn’t feel so to me. Handles high temperature, but is still flexible, and stick/stain resistant doesn’t equal inert in my eyes. Getting a powder on it like cinnamon on it sticks like it’s oily. I got a ceramic coffee mug that has a silicone lid. It adds an odd taste to the coffee.
I’ll continue to pass on silicone. Stick with cast iron. Even stainless steel (although not perfect as Debra has shown us) is better than silicone as far as I’m concerned.