Spatulas are the heartbeat of every kitchen nowadays. As the awareness of the cons of plastic spatulas is rising, most people are shifting towards either nylon or silicone spatulas in their kitchens. This is so because these are the only two materials that offer flexibility in spatulas. Even though, both of them are gentle to your pans, it is not exactly the same thing. Now the thing is, which one is better? Is it nylon or silicone spatulas?

So, according to me, I would always go for a silicone spatula. I think they are perfect in all aspects of all the spatulas. But let's get into details of why I would prefer or choose a silicone spatula over a nylon make. In this blog, I will be covering all the pros and cons of nylon as well as silicone spatulas.

Nylon Spatulas

Nylon spatulas are composed of nylon, a type of plastic that is commonly known for its durability and heat resistance. This means they can tolerate heat without melting or warping, which is perfect for high-temperature cooking. Below are some pros and cons of nylon spatulas

Pros of using Nylon Spatulas

Inexpensive:

A nylon spatula may just be the best for you if you are on a tight budget and can’t afford a good spatula. You can get a whole set of utensils for a fairly small amount of money. So, yeah, it’s a benefit.

Easy Meal Serving:

It is stick-resistant up to a point and withstand temperatures up to 400 °F. Thus, nylon utensils are best used to stir or serve ordinary meals and should not be used for cooking purposes. Because the temperature resistance is less.

Easy to Clean:

Although nylon spatulas are flexible, they are hard and sturdy this much to mix anything you bake or prepare. They work great on fish preparation as well. It means you can cook delicate food items with them very easily. Most importantly, they're easy to look after and wash. They can be safely washed in the dishwasher or by hand with regular dishwashing soap.

Cons of Using Nylon Spatulas

Some concerns about using silicone spatulas are:

Low-temperature resistance:

Although nylon is flexible it has low-temperature resistance i.e. 400°F, which is a barrier in high-heat cooking like frying or sautéing. These spatulas begin to melt or warp or even release harmful chemicals. Instead of your work getting better, it just gets worse. And who wants this?

Dangerous to Health:

It’s good that nylon spatulas are less expensive than silicone spatulas, but there should be no compromise on health. Nylon spatulas when exposed to high heat, release a chemical di-amino-di-phenylmethane (DMM). Because nylon kitchenware is prone to cracking, food particles can easily become trapped in the tiny gaps without your knowledge. Even after careful cleaning, trapped particles may rot and contaminate fresh foods. And these chemicals are consumed in with your food, which causes serious health issues from minor irritations to severe health concerns.

Not Hygienic – smoke production:

When exposed to extremely high temperatures, nylon utensils begin to smoke. If you are sensitive to environmental toxins or already have a respiratory condition such as asthma, you may feel the effects more strongly than others.

Not Easy to clean:

Nylon spatulas are flexible, but less than silicone spatulas. Nylon is a kind of material that absorbs food odor and most of the time, it sticks to food. All these things make it difficult to clean

Silicone Spatulas:

Silicone spatulas are made mainly of food-grade silicone, a flexible and heat-resistant material that is suitable for use in the kitchen. They usually have a handle and a flat, thin, flexible head.

Pros of using Silicone Spatulas

High Heat Resistant:

The chief advantage of using silicone spatulas is their high heat resistance. Even though they resemble plastic or rubber, they can withstand temperatures of up to 600°F. You can confidently use the best spatula in high-heat cooking tasks.

Safe to Use:

The best silicone spatula is 100% safe to use. It is BPA-free. Food-grade silicone spatula does not react negatively when exposed to liquids, food, or extreme temperatures. It does not emit any dangerous emissions or smoke and lasts longer than nylon spatulas.

Easy to clean:

Silicone cookware is easy to clean; some can even be washed in the dishwasher. They are also odorless and stain-resistant when used to prepare foods with dark colors. A collection of the best silicone spatulas mostly does not stick to food, except for a few in that shape, but they are also easy to clean.

Cons of Silicone Spatulas:

Some cons of silicone spatulas are

Expensive spatulas:

Silicone spatulas are normally more expensive than nylon spatulas. You can buy the whole set of nylon spatulas at the price of the best silicone spatula. But the safety of health and other benefits comes with silicone spatulas. So, it’s better to have a single safe spatula instead of having a complete non-hygienic spatula set.

Non-Biodegradable:

A silicone spatula set is a long-lasting set. It can be with you for years. However, silicone is a non-biodegradable material. So, I think it’s a serious drawback of a silicone spatula for the environment. Silicone must be processed and recycled at specialized recycling facilities. If you are environmentally conscious, a silicone spatula may not be the best option.

Flexibility:

Silicone spatulas are known for their flexibility. It also means that they may find difficulty in tasks that require rigid spatulas. Such as mixing dough or mixing bulk materials.  Then you need a stronger tool to scrape thick dough or lift heavier foods.

Chemical Emissions:

Depending on the quality, silicone products may contain chemical fillers. In general, the higher the silicone grade, the less likely it is to contain chemical fillers. You should prefer a high-quality silicone spatula. You should exercise caution when purchasing a silicone spatula because not all of them are safe to use.

Summary

Both silicone and nylon utensils have advantages and disadvantages. Before purchasing a specific cookware, familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of the material you have chosen. Both of these spatulas come in sharp colors. Although silicone is more expensive than nylon it’s fine. But when it comes to health safety, no compromises. Other food-safe material options include stainless steel, bamboo, and wooden utensils.

Are you looking for the best silicone spatula set? Have your own silicone spatula set and get the benefits of the best spatula.