Heat Resistant Silicone Becomes Cloudy

[John DePaula]

I recently purchased a Zyliss Heat Resistant Silicone Spatula.

I’ve noticed that after it sits for several days, a cloudy film appears on the surface.

Has anyone else noticed this? What’s going on here? I know it’s clean so what could it be?

[Kerry Beal]

I recently purchased a Zyliss Heat Resistant Silicone Spatula. 

I’ve noticed that after it sits for several days, a cloudy film appears on the surface. 

Has anyone else noticed this?  What’s going on here?  I know it’s clean so what could it be?

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I've got about a million cheap silicone spatulas and I have noticed this a lot. A greasy film. The dishwasher takes it off well, so does a quick wipe.

I think it might be cocoa butter around my house.

[John DePaula]

I recently purchased a Zyliss Heat Resistant Silicone Spatula. 

I’ve noticed that after it sits for several days, a cloudy film appears on the surface. 

Has anyone else noticed this?  What’s going on here?  I know it’s clean so what could it be?

←

I've got about a million cheap silicone spatulas and I have noticed this a lot. A greasy film. The dishwasher takes it off well, so does a quick wipe.

I think it might be cocoa butter around my house.

←

Hi Kerry, thanks for replying. I work with chocolate as well, but I'm pretty sure I've noticed this before I opened my business. It's curious...

[Kerry Beal]

Ok, it says something about what eGullet does to your brain. I've just come back from the lab where I had a look at the stuff scraped off my silicone spatula under the microscope.

It is definately lipid, in a needle like crystalline structure. I compared it to some cocoa butter, it was not exactly the same. Unfortunately I don't have the ability to take a photo on that microscope.

I have noticed that it isn't on my spatulas that I have been using for boiled sweets lately, and would normally be if I had been doing chocolate work.

So, not really further ahead except to say it is fat.

The mystery continues.

[John DePaula]

Ok, it says something about what eGullet does to your brain.  I've just come back from the lab where I had a look at the stuff scraped off my silicone spatula under the microscope.

It is definately lipid, in a needle like crystalline structure.  I compared it to some cocoa butter, it was not exactly the same.  Unfortunately I don't have the ability to take a photo on that microscope. 

I have noticed that it isn't on my spatulas that I have been using for boiled sweets lately, and would normally be if I had been doing chocolate work. 

So, not really further ahead except to say it is fat.

The mystery continues.

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Kerry, you're amazing! What I don't understand is why this is happening. I know that I'm cleaning the spatulas well, in soapy water then through the dishwasher. They should be completely clear of any fat from chocolate work. Hmmm...

[etalanian]

I've noticed the same thing here! I keep washing them and they keep getting greasy again, just sitting in the crock I keep them in. I use a lot of butter, and kept thinking I wasn't getting them clean enough; wasn't washing off all of the butter.

I would also love to know what the story is. Thanks for starting this thread.

Eileen

[Fernwood]

Old topic but persistent problem.  I have been throwing out some older silicone spatulas because they come out of the sink or the automatic dishwasher clean, then develop a greasy surface film while they sit in the drawer for a few days.  I think it's mostly cheaper ones that get really icky.  Some brands--I can identify Mastrad specifically--seem to hold up better.  

I can clean it off before use but I can't help thinking that something is absorbed into the material and then leaches out again and presumably this is also happening while the spatula is in contact with the food (ick).  

I have been wondering for years whether everyone sees this or if it is promoted by something in my kitchen (water? cooking fats? detergent? karma?).  

Anyway, I would love recommendations from people who have experienced this for brands that are more resistant.  I think the Mastrad items are very good quality but I would love a couple of smaller spatulas with thinner edges; the Mastrad ones are rather sturdy.  

 

ETA I'm looking at a Di Oro set online but it's hard to tell anything about the edge profile.

Edited February 9, 2023 by Fernwood
Add info (log)

[blue_dolphin]

On 2/9/2023 at 10:48 AM, Fernwood said:

Anyway, I would love recommendations from people who have experienced this for brands that are more resistant.  I think the Mastrad items are very good quality but I would love a couple of smaller spatulas with thinner edges; the Mastrad ones are rather sturdy.  

 

Late reply here.  I know what you mean about the icky silicone. I ordered one of the Mastrad spatulas and I see what you mean about it being sturdy.  

 

I really liked the iSi slim spatulas (eG-friendly Amazon.com link) but they have disappeared from the market. RIP.

I've had one of these Tovolo spatulas with a stainless steel handle (eG-friendly Amazon.com link) for about 3 years and it's been OK.  Like the iSi, the blade is very thin but it has a bit of curve.  They also have an all silicone one (eG-friendly Amazon.com link) that is cheaper but looks otherwise similar and wooden-handle versions. 

 

The downside of those very thin blades is that they get nicks in them easily if someone (aka cat sitter) uses them to scoop stuff out of pull-top cans of the sort that leave a sharp inside edge.  

[TdeV]

@Fernwood, I don't think I currently have greasy silicone items but I'm sure I have in the past.

 

Like @blue_dolphin, I really liked those iSi slim spatulas, alas.

 

Thermoworks has some high temp spatulas. https://www.thermoworks.com/shop/products/hi-temp-silicone-tools/

I particularly recommend the mini spatula/spoon sets. I have them in many colours and use them for multiple purposes. Once or twice per year Thermoworks has a sale which usually include silicone products; twice I have purchased these mini spatulas on sale.