When it comes to your everyday kitchen tools, you can find essentials made out of silicone, wood, plastic, stainless steel, and copper. We are partial to silicone, as it’s highly durable, heat-resistant, and stain-resistant. On top of all of that, silicone tools are flexible, easy to clean, and won’t mess up your precious pots and pans like metal utensils can with ceramic and nonstick cookware.
Spatulas might come to mind first when thinking about silicone utensils (yes, they are great for scooping out every last bit of batter for whatever baked good you’re making), but there are plenty of other silicone accessories worth adding to your kitchen. Along with researching the assortment of offerings on the market, we turned to Lexis Gonzalez, a private chef from Harlem, and Justin Gaspar, the founder of and head baker at Hommage Bakehouse in San Diego, for their expert suggestions and insights. Read on to learn about the best silicone kitchen tools and what makes them the cream of the crop.
Best Overall Set
GIR 10-Piece Ultimate Silicone Kitchen Tool Set
![GIR 10-Piece Ultimate Silicone Utensil Set](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/62toi5xFkHvlg4ULWlZw4ow9eoI=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GIR-10-piece-ultimate-silicone-utensil-set-62477ea040004244830137c487219e61.jpg)
Target
Silicone cooking utensils are a must-have in every kitchen, and this set from GIR has all the basics and more. If you’re familiar with the brand, then you know that its name stands for “Get It Right,” and there’s no doubt that they’ve managed to do that with this collection of kitchen essentials. They’re made from platinum-grade, non-toxic silicone that’s antimicrobial as well as stain- and odor-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about any lingering smells or discoloration from that last batch of bolognese. Plus, they’re heat-resistant up to 425 degrees, so they’re incredibly durable.
If you haven’t already fallen in love with their gorgeous array of colors, then you will once you see how useful they are in practice. Each utensil has small but impactful features that take them from good to great — like the embossed measurements inside the scoop of their ladle or their counterbalanced whisk handle that reduces wrist fatigue. Most of the tools are made from one piece of molded silicone. “This feature makes them last longer because the top of the spatula won’t detach from the handle with continued use, like some of the wood handle and silicone base combo,” says Gonzalez. “This means it’s great for the home cook as well as professionals.”
Best Value Set
Oannao Multicolor Silicone Spatula Set
![Oannao Multicolor Silicone Spatula Set](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/snRnpPuERVBItuff8BgX1YLVDws=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/multicolor-silicone-spatula-set-44231348428a474684f2d9fab13919f0.jpg)
Amazon
If you want to stock up on an assortment of silicone kitchen utensils but are working with a small budget, this is a great starter set. Its low price gets you nine different tools, including spatulas (in a range of shapes and sizes), a pastry brush, a whisk, and an egg separator. As affordable as the product may be, you don’t have to doubt its quality. The spatulas are made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone with stainless steel cores for extra strength. Go for the mixed colors set if you love having a rainbow of equipment in your kitchen, or stick to the all-black set if you want to keep a clean, matching look.
Best Splurge Set
Le Creuset Craft Series Utensil Set
![Le Creuset Craft Series 5-Piece Silicone Utensil Set with Crock](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/kCj6fNOyi0sIckgzdQnDVv7veD0=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/le-creuset-5-piece-silicone-utensil-set-with-crock-8e5ff84143ce4e63a83a61ff0c871f5a.jpg)
Le Creuset
For anyone willing to invest a little more money in their silicone kitchen utensils, this 5-piece Le Creuset set comes with four wood-handled utensils and a stoneware crock. Some of our absolute favorite kitchen products are from Le Creuset because of their excellent heirloom quality and durability, so it’s only natural that they should make their way onto this list.
The spatula spoon is great for stirring through dense batters in your favorite mixing bowl, while the two spatulas are perfect for everything from scrambling eggs to sauteeing vegetables, and a basting brush always comes in handy. But the best part of all is that you can choose from an array of Le Creuset’s signature colors, so now your cooking utensils can finally match your Dutch oven!
Best Spatulas
U-Taste Silicone Spatula Set
![u-taste-600f-heat-resistant-silicone-spatula-set](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/XaOgTMEPftli9iQF3vQUtBsK_KQ=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/u-taste-600f-heat-resistant-silicone-spatula-set-ce0b6e3c1e364550868d33c252a154f7.jpg)
Amazon
Out of all the silicone spatula sets out there, this one made from BPA-free premium silicone is a favorite for a few reasons. For starters, these spatulas can really take the heat without melting or warping, as they’re heat resistant up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re also comfortable to hold, so you won’t get hand fatigue while stirring your batter as you might with other products with less user-friendly designs.
The set is good for more than just mixing though since you get a large pointed spatula, a wide spoon spatula, a narrow jar spatula, and a mini pointed spatula. Spread, scoop, scrape… you can do it all. The attractive price and variety of fun color options, like teal, red, and midnight blue, are the cherries on top.
Best Oven Mitts
Food52 Five Two Silicone Oven Mitts
![Food52 Five Two Silicone Oven Mitts](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/8cwwuy1jMu85uX3f1_1ScIZfLvE=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/five-two-silicone-oven-mitts-0c009116365e4cde9a68be82545aec99.jpg)
Food52
On top of protecting you from hot surfaces, silicone oven mitts are great because they give you that extra secure grip and are easy to clean in case you have any splatters while cooking. Our testers loved these mitts in particular because they have a slim, flexible design and a plush, almost luxurious, terry interior that makes them easy and comfortable to use. Plus, you’ll notice they’re a bit longer to keep your forearms protected as well.
Thanks to the magnets inside and loops on the end, you can always hang them easily within reach. And that’s fine to do because they actually look nice with their cool window-pane pattern and tasteful colors like eucalyptus and rhubarb. No sacrificing style for function here!
Best Dish Drying Mat
Yamazaki Folding Dish Drainer Mat
![Yamakazi Folding Dish Drainer Mat](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/Ee0cWySN3L1t96yTQfAeu6Ywe2Q=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/yamazaki-home-tower-folding-dish-drainer-mat-ee8d9ec3f5874d558e80506817bedec3.jpg)
Williams Sonoma
If you don’t have room for a dish rack but still need a place to dry your dishes, then a dish drying mat might be the solution to your problem. This silicone one from Yamazaki is innovative in more ways than one: it has sloping ridges that allow water to easily drain directly into your sink, can fold up for compact storage, and can even double as a trivet. We love it for its practical and minimal design that can blend in with your countertops and the fact that it doesn’t hold onto water deposits that develop mold and unpleasant odors. But if you do ever need to give it a quick scrub, it’s easy enough to wipe clean with some dish soap and a soft sponge.
Best Muffin Pan
Silpat Muffin Mold
![Muffin Mold](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/vkR7_3WwFV-WIV8o_Jzy0v3lgFE=/fit-in/1500x1109/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Silpat-Muffin-Mold-5bef14b56b554cb6a2fabb958d009c01.jpg)
Silpat
Freshly baked muffins call for a reliable muffin pan, and instead of going with a metal tray, consider this silicone muffin mold. Since it’s lightweight, flexible, and nonstick, you can effortlessly remove your muffins once they’re done baking and cooled down. The silicone design also means there’s no need to grease or oil your muffin cups, no fussing with bits of baked goods stuck to the bottom, and a much easier cleanup when cooking is finished. We also appreciate the spacing between each muffin cup, which leaves enough room for any rising or expansion that may occur.
Best Ice Cube Tray
W&P Ice Tray
![Ice Tray](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/DMT0uuFYTeaqiTxTXggQvdxBK88=/fit-in/1500x459/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/WP-Ice-Tray-03493ef8aa4845799477f265fcc46e47.jpg)
W&P
With some ice cube trays, it can be a real pain trying to pop out a certain number of cubes, but that isn’t the case with this tray from W&P. Thanks to this product’s flexible, easy-release design, you can just push up from the bottom (each compartment is individually molded) to get your exact amount of ice. The tray’s frame is also made from silicone-wrapped steel for added strength and stability, so you don’t have to worry about spilling any water as you transfer it to the freezer.
Speaking of spillage, the dishwasher-safe tray has a slightly raised lip to prevent extra water from overflowing. It also comes with a removable, easy-to-open lid, so you can stack multiple trays on top of one another for space-saving in the freezer.
Best Baking Mat
Silpat Silicone Baking Mat
![Silpat Premium Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/AiwesoPJw-_d49eYTc5vwt-eV18=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/silpat-premium-non-stick-silicone-baking-mat-half-sheet-cream-1df2dde1758a4ed4b17093d6f67a42e0.jpg)
Amazon
For a silicone baking mat, it’s hard to beat Silpat, the original nonstick baking mat that’s made with food-grade silicone and fiberglass mesh and is oven-, microwave-, and freezer-safe. “Silpats have been the standard globally for professional silicone baking mats and although they tend to be the most expensive, they hold up the best time and time again,” Gaspar says. “I’ve used other brands and they work, but oftentimes they break down faster or can get permanently sticky.”
Gaspar uses Silpats daily for making Kouign Amann but says they’re great for all sorts of different pastries and eliminate the need for parchment paper in many cases. “The silicone baking liner is essentially a one-stop shop to make sure whatever you are baking does not stick to the baking tray.”
Best Baking Cups
OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups
![OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups, Multicolor 3 oz.(Pack of 12)](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/hXj_1sGdXarahlrnkCTwRs67hwQ=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/oxo-good-grips-silicone-baking-cups-multicolor-3-ozpack-of-12-139e19b01e9d471db5d714ff2867ec52.jpg)
Amazon
By choosing reusable silicone baking cups, you can cut down on waste, eliminating the need to use new paper liners each time you bake a new batch of cupcakes or muffins. They can also help you avoid those sticky messes created by any baked goods that just don’t want to leave the pan. Plus, you can even use them in the air fryer.
Not only do these silicone baking cups have a nonstick interior, but they also have little tabs on the sides so removing your baked goods is even easier. During cleanup, you can conveniently slip the cups inside out to get a thorough clean, or you can throw them in the dishwasher. The icing on the (cup)cake? The fill line inside each cup shows you exactly how high to go with the batter to make uniformly sized goods.
Best Measuring Cups
OXO 3 Piece Measuring Cup Set
![OXO Good Grips 3 Piece Squeeze and Pour](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/CoWshyZwVecrDB5qFOWTXz6Xl1Y=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/amazon-oxo-good-grips-3-piece-squeeze-pour-silicone-measuring-cup-set-84139edcd2ac4bc99f923cf07d518fee.jpg)
Amazon
You may have your go-to set of measuring cups with handles for your dry goods, but this silicone set is particularly useful for liquids. Given the cups’ flexibility, you can squeeze the opening to be narrower if necessary for a more precisely sized pour, but with a flat bottom, they’re sturdy enough to stand by themselves. They also have a soft, nonslip grip, lessening the chance that the cup itself goes right into whatever you’re cooking along with the liquid itself.
Another cool thing about these is that they’re microwave-safe, so if you need to melt butter or chocolate, for example, you can do it right in the measuring cup. While the contents inside will get hot, the honeycomb pattern on the outside of the cup is designed to dissipate heat, so you can still handle it comfortably.
Best Tongs
The Original Popco Tongs for Cooking
![The Original Popco Tongs for Cooking](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/6hokpfWGeSHqeBdVQaqSw25IUj0=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/The-Original-Popco-Tongs-for-Cooking-d5c9632db4704fb29a77aa5efcd8bcb3.jpg)
Amazon
From flipping meat on the barbecue to tossing vegetables in a marinade and transferring food from the pan to the plate, tongs are one of those kitchen tools that prove their usefulness in multiple cooking situations. With three sizes included, these lightweight tongs not only have silicone tips (which are heat-resistant up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit), but they also feature silicone pads on the handles, which offer an ergonomic grip.
We love how the tongs have scalloped edges, offering a better grip on food, and how the locking feature keeps the tongs fully closed for fuss-free storage. If you like hanging your kitchen utensils, you’ll also appreciate that the locking ring works for that too.
Best Sponge
Sur La Table Dual-Action Silicone Sponge
![Sur La Table Dual Sided Silicone Sponge](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/YKjMZlvJkMlSw_qihdpSRkzAWh8=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sur-la-table-dulal-sided-silicone-sponge-24809871da404fdbb8084861a3c0c184.jpg)
Sur La Table
If you’re looking to replace your old, smelly sponge, then silicone might be a good alternative. Although a silicone sponge might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to washing dishes, they’re actually great for dishes and cookware that require a little extra care. The nice thing about this sponge from Sur La Table is that it’s dual-sided: one side has thin, flexible bristles for gentle scrubbing, while the other is firmer for scraping dried or stuck on messes. And unlike regular sponges, which are a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, you can simply toss this one in the dishwasher, and it will come out squeaky clean.
Our Expertise
- Cindy Brzostowski is a freelance writer and avid home cook who has previous experience in cookbook publishing. Her writing has been featured in Allrecipes, Blue Apron, The Kitchn, and EatingWell among other publications.
- For further advice and recommendations about silicone kitchen tools, she consulted with Lexis Gonzalez, a private chef from Harlem, and Justin Gaspar, the founder of and head baker at Hommage Bakehouse in San Diego.