3-Piece Utensil Rest Set

By “greasing up” we mean that a silicone product feels greasy or shows oily residues. As already described, silicone sometimes acts like a sponge for fats – it stores fat molecules on the surface. After washing, when the part dries, these molecules can come out again, which explains the greasy film. This behaviour is known especially with silicone baking moulds: after a few baking and washing cycles they feel sticky on the outside. This is because baking oils or butter get into micropores of the surface and slowly come out again. With our Kochblume lids or utensils, the surface is very smooth, so this “sweating” occurs less strongly – but it is not impossible, especially after long use.

Yes, all our silicone kitchen utensils are dishwasher-safe. You can put them in the dishwasher without hesitation. The colours are retained, the material takes no harm. Only at very high washing temperatures (intensive programme above 70 °C) can the colour intensity diminish minimally over time – but this is barely noticeable. If you wash by hand, use normal washing-up liquid and soft sponges or cloths. Thanks to the non-stick property of silicone, food residues come off easily

One advantage: silicone utensils do not scratch your cookware. So you can stir in coated pans with peace of mind too. Thanks to the internal stainless steel core, our spatulas & co. are nevertheless dimensionally stable and do not bend.

Not much – they are made for everyday use. A few tips:

• Heat sources: Do not leave the utensils in the open flame or on the hot hotplate. Briefly resting them in the pot or pan is okay (heat resistance up to 260 °C).
• Sharp edges: Although silicone is robust, avoid hitting very sharp or rough surfaces with the utensils. For example, a silicone spatula should not be used as a substitute for a cleaver 😉. Mechanical force can, as mentioned, weaken the material over a long time.
• Discolouration: On contact with colour-intensive foods, the utensils could take on a slight colour tinge (see the Discolouration section). This is normal and no cause for concern. It is best to clean them soon after use, then nothing remains.
• Storage: Ideally hang up the kitchen helpers or place them in a spacious drawer. If they are squeezed between sharp metal cutlery, the silicone could get unnecessary pressure marks. Many of our utensils have a hole at the end of the handle for hanging.

Our silicone items are very easy to care for. They are dishwasher-safe, but can also simply be cleaned by hand with warm water and a little washing-up liquid. As a rule, nothing sticks: “No sticking, no discolouring” – the material is hygienic and easy to clean. Note that sharp objects (knives, etc.) could mechanically affect the silicone – so do not cut directly on a silicone mat, for example, to avoid cuts. Otherwise you need no special treatment. 💡 Tip: If you let silicone items air-dry after washing, you can then rinse them briefly with clear water – this removes any limescale spots and the parts stay nice and attractive.

When normal washing-up liquid is no longer enough, there are a few tried-and-tested methods:

• Vinegar-essence bath: (As recommended above) Soak the silicone for a few minutes in vinegar water. This dissolves grease effectively.
• Baking soda/detergent: What dissolves grease in the kitchen helps here too. A paste of baking soda and water rubbed onto the silicone, left to work and rinsed off, can work wonders.

❗ Caution: Do not use solvents such as acetone or petrol! These could attack the silicone. Stick to food-safe cleaners.

Some users notice a sticky coating on silicone after a longer time. This is not a material defect, but is caused by cooking or cleaning residues that can deposit on the surface during use. Especially with 100% silicone without a coating, this is typical of the material – the same phenomenon is known from high-quality silicone baking moulds, which can act like “grease sponges”. After washing they appear clean, but during storage a grease film from earlier baking emerges again. In our case this means: our products do not release any components such as plasticisers (because none are contained), but what you feel are the finest grease or soap residues from previous use. Especially when the kitchen helpers are rarely used or lie in the drawer for a long time, such a greasy film can form. This is unsightly, but can be remedied.

💡 Tip:
A vinegar-essence solution has proven effective for cleaning sticky silicone surfaces. Place the silicone product in a mixture of vinegar essence and water (e.g. 1 part 25% vinegar essence to 3–4 parts water) and let it work for a few minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with clear water and let it dry well. Alternatively, you can also wipe the silicone with the solution. This natural method reliably removes grease residues and the product feels like new again. Carry out this cleaning occasionally – especially for large parts such as lids – then your silicone helpers stay hygienically clean and ready for immediate use.

❗ Note:
Do not use abrasive cleaners or hard brushes on silicone to remove the film – this is usually not necessary at all (vinegar is enough) and could roughen the surface. Should the coating be very stubborn, you can resort to special plastic cleaners or a mix of baking soda and water if needed. But normally this is not necessary.