Are silicone baking pans dishwasher safe?

Hundreds of thousands of home cooks use silicone baking pans because they're convenient. Firstly, the baked goods release easily, and secondly, they bake more evenly and don't stick. However, when a mountain of these dirty pans sits in the sink, waiting to be washed, it's hard to rewash them by hand. It's tempting to start washing silicone baking pans in the dishwasher, but it's a bit scary that the silicone surface might deteriorate and the baked goods might stick. It's important to research the situation before deciding to machine wash them.

Machine wash

There are no specific restrictions on washing silicone baking pans in the dishwasher. In fact, silicone cookware manufacturers often recommend washing their products in the dishwasher. Why is this?

First of all, because dishwashers clean molds using a jet of hot water and detergent. Mechanical stress is minimized, which is a good thing, as the silicone surface is resistant to cleaning chemicals and boiling water, but it is susceptible to brushes and sponges with abrasive pads. Some silicone mold manufacturers even provide recommendations regarding the choice of washing programs and the placement of molds in dish baskets.

1. Place the molds in the top basket or cutlery tray.
2. Load other dishes.
3. Place a portion of powder or tablet into the special compartment.

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

4. Close the washing chamber door and turn on the pre-soak program. This program will clean molds coated with oil or shortening best.
5. After pre-soaking, the machine will run a regular wash program and the molds will be as good as new again.

To prevent future damage to your molds, experts recommend always greasing them with oil or shortening before use. Oil prevents the silicone surface from deteriorating, but if you ignore this advice, the silicone molds will begin to ruin your baked goods. You might also be interested in... Can nickel silver be washed in the dishwasher?.

Hand wash

When washing silicone by hand, many people neglect basic cleaning procedures. Naturally, the products get damaged, and then housewives criticize manufacturers for producing poor-quality molds, plates, and other items. In general, always read the instructions before using anything new; don't be lazy—it's crucial. So, how do you properly clean silicone baking molds if you don't have a dishwasher?

1. Dissolve a small amount of gel detergent in a basin of warm water.
2. Stir the detergent into the water to create foam.
3. Place the silicone molds in the solution and keep them 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, rough cloths, or sponges with abrasive pads—anything that could scratch the soft, delicate silicone layer. If silicone molds become covered in micro-scratches, they will begin to stick to baked goods, and they will simply stop working. The same applies to all baking utensils made from this material. The more carefully you treat them, the longer they will last.

Finally, don't be afraid to wash silicone molds in the dishwasher; nothing bad will happen. Even if you run the longest wash cycle in very hot water, the molds won't lose any of their wonderful properties. So, feel free to load them into the dishwasher and wash them on any cycle you like, but it's best to use the pre-soak cycle. Good luck!

1 reader comment

1. November 10, 2023 at 8:32 PM

   Nina:

   After washing it in the dishwasher, my pan absorbed the smell of the detergent. I could still smell it while baking. How can I remove it?

   Answer