Are silicone ice cube trays better than plastic one？

Have you ever wondered whether ice cube trays made from silicone are actually a more sustainable choice than those made from plastic? And is using a silicone tray more energy-efficient than using your refrigerator’s built-in ice maker?

Ice trays made from silicone are a more sustainable choice than trays made from plastic, as silicone is a more durable material that will last longer than plastic, and the process of making silicone is less environmentally taxing than plastic production. Using silicone ice trays instead of your refrigerator’s ice maker is also less energy efficient, though a bit more labor intensive for you.

The problem with plastic trays for ice cubes

If you’ve ever owned a plastic ice cube tray (and we’re assuming you have) then you already know the problems they bring – the ice is hard to extract, they tend to crack as they age, and refilling them is a chore.

But did you know plastic ice trays are also not a great environmental choice? Plastic materials are notoriously deleterious to the environment because of their nonorganic materials (including BPA, a potentially hazardous material for health), the energy required to produce them, and because they do not decompose and therefore will not break down if sent to the landfill.

Is silicone ice cube trays safe?

Probably! Silicone doesn’t contain any BPA, so you’re good on that front if you choose silicone ice trays as an alternative to plastic. While plastic is a type of polymer, silicone is a flexible resin made with silica — better known as sand to the average beach junkie. Silicone ice cube trays are soft and pliable, and they don’t appear to leach any chemicals into food or water at cold temperatures. While there have been scattered reports of silicone leaching into foods at very high temperatures — think baking trays and muffin molds — this is inconclusive, and wouldn’t affect your ice making activities in the slightest. If it’s BPA you’re worried about, silicone ice cube trays are a safer choice than plastic ones.  

Why do silicone ice cube trays smell?

Read Manufacturer’s Instructions

Although experts have their own tricks for removing smells from silicone, they recommend starting by reading the instructions on the product you want to clean. “For some items hand washing is recommended, others allow dishwashing, sometimes with the top rack specified,” explains Mary Gagliardi, in-house scientist and cleaning expert at Clorox. She also says to read labels on all products before using them to clean your silicone kitchenware. “Using the proper dilution, following the recommended contact time, and rinsing as directed all help you use a product safely and ensure that it will perform as promised,” she adds.

Use Soap and Hot Water

Experts agree that using soap and hot water to get odors out of silicone is one of the best and safest methods for getting the job done. Peterson says you’ll need rubber gloves, dishwasher detergent, a non-abrasive sponge, and a microfiber cloth for this process. Start by putting on a pair of gloves to keep your hands free of grease and oil. Next, fill your sink with hot water and a few drops of detergent. “The hotter the water, the better,” Peterson notes. “Hot water can cut through tough messes. Just be careful not to make the water so hot that you’ll burn yourself.” Let the kitchenware sit for anywhere between 20 minutes and one hour depending on how pungent the smells are. After soaking, scrub with a nonabrasive sponge and rinse in hot water, then dry with a microfiber cloth.

To go the extra mile, Gagliardi likes to make a mixture of two teaspoons of bleach and two gallons of water and let the items soak in it for two minutes before rinsing. If one round of this method doesn’t work, repeat as necessary. Peterson says it’s better to stick to one method and give it multiple attempts rather than try a variety of different techniques. “If after so many attempts, the scent doesn’t seem to let up, it may be time to accept defeat and deal with the smell or replace the product,” the cleaning expert says.

Are silicone ice cube trays safe for baby food?

100% food-safe, FDA or LFGB silicone freezer tray helps avoid harmful chemicals—Made without petroleum materials, baby’s food touches only high-quality, hypoallergenic silicone without PVC, and hormone-disrupting BPA, BPS, BPF, BFDGE, NOGE, or BADGE additives for your baby’s health and safety.

Silicone ice cube tray as silicone chocolate mold?

Yes, it is the same for both. If you are still worried, you can go through the manual and confirm the temperature that their silicone molds can withstand, and they can both be used within their range.

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