Silicone Bakeware

[MarcusCAG]

So... I am cranky, and a little worried, but mostly irritated.

 

My husband, months ago now, bought a new baking tray with a silicone liner. He promised me up and down that it wasn't like Teflon and the parrots would be fine with us using it. Obviously, in our case he was right, no problems, the thing works great and our flock is fine. However. Today I made a little video about cooking for our flock because someone online requested one of me a little while ago. In the video, I mentioned how lethal Teflon can be for birds, and I said we use a silicone liner on our one pan instead (I showed it in the video, too).

 

While I was reviewing the video prior to posting it, I wanted to check some technical things about Teflon and so started looking up stuff on Google. I came across statements about how silicone bakeware doesn't offgas--and then I found some posts that claimed people have lost their parrots to it!! :(

 

So now I'm kind of disgruntled, but not really upset. We've been using this liner for forever now, and all I can find is that around 400-something degrees Farenheit (sp?) the silicone bakeware can melt. Does anyone else use anything like this? If it really is harmful and we've just been blessed so far, if I can convince my hubby to get rid of it (I see a fight coming!), what should I use to bake with instead as a cookie sheet? Stainless steel? I like the liner because when I make birdie cookies, I don't have to oil the tray or anything. But of course the safety of the flock comes first.

 

Does any of this make any sense? Thoughts???

 

PS--I took down the video again because I don't want to encourage silicone bakeware-ownership with people who have birds, if it really is a bad thing for a 'parrot household' to have.

Edited December 19, 2011 by MarcusCAG

[DawL]

From what I understand, there is no "scientific proof" that it does off gas, HOWEVER there are many people that claim to have lot their birds because of this cook ware, and even some vets say it is not safe. Even if it doesn't put off fumes before 500 degrees, all it would take is one time of forgetting about the pan, and you could really have a problem on your hands. If it were me and my flock, I would avoid it. You can never be too safe about these things, and if something did happen, you would be like me and blame yourself forever! Here is a link that I read before, not sure if you have read it yet or not:

 

http://aparrotforkeeps.blogspot.com/2009/01/warning-about-silicone-bake-cook-ware.html

 

Good luck with your hubby!

[Shelly Yokum]

I have bought stainless steal for my baking needs, and glass ware. I just didn't want to take a chance, or hurting my birdies.