Cuisinart · Non-Stick Baking Molds
Silpat Nonstick Silicone Perfect Brownie Baking Mold
Silicone baking mold, likely lower PFAS concern, but coating details unclear.
Silpat silicone baking molds are typically pure silicone without Teflon-type coating or Teflon-family coating. Cuisinart does not disclose PFAS status, so independent verification is lacking.
The safe swap
Calphalon
Square Savarin Silicone Baking Mold
80/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
silicone elastomer, nonstick type unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Non-stick, chemistry undisclosed
Marketed non-stick without stating the coating chemistry.
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is a silicone elastomer baking mold, not traditional nonstick cookware like Teflon-type coating or ceramic-coated metal. Silicone polymers are synthetic rubbers that do not off-gas Teflon-type coating fumes or leach metals the way metal cookware can. The "nonstick" property comes from the silicone surface itself rather than an applied coating, which reduces degradation risk. However, the product listing does not specify if any primer or release agent is applied to the silicone, which could affect chemical safety profile.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cuisinart does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or PFAS-free certification for this product line. The brand has no major documented safety recalls specific to silicone baking molds. Cuisinart is a kitchen-product mainstream brand with standard third-party certifications (FDA food-contact compliance), but transparency about fluorinated coatings on silicone products is limited across the industry. No independent safety controversy is on record for this specific mold model.
How it compares in its category
Silicone baking molds are generally considered lower-risk than Teflon-type coating nonstick cookware or glazed ceramic baking dishes because the material does not require fluorinated coatings to achieve nonstick properties. Metal baking pans risk aluminum leaching and rust; silicone avoids both. The trade-off is that silicone is less rigid and may retain odors or stains over time, but this does not indicate a chemical safety deficit. Compared to typical nonstick cake pans, this product sits in the safer material class.
If you buy it
Use this mold on oven racks or baking sheets, not directly on heating elements. Silicone is rated for temperatures up to 400-500 degrees F depending on grade; confirm your product label and do not exceed it. Inspect annually for visible cracks, tears, or permanent discoloration that could indicate polymer degradation. Hand wash or place on top rack of dishwasher; aggressive scouring can thin the material. Replace if surface becomes sticky or tacky (sign of breakdown), or if it absorbs persistent odors that affect food taste.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Silicone polymer degradation and leaching
Silicone can break down if overheated or exposed to sharp temperature swings, potentially releasing oligomers or residual uncrosslinked polymers into food. No specific leachate contaminants are well-characterized for food-grade silicone at normal use temperatures, but degradation risk rises above 500 degrees F.
Residual primer or release agents
The product specification does not disclose whether this mold has any applied primer or release agent coating. If present but not disclosed, these coatings could potentially contain fluorinated compounds or other additives. No recalls or complaints on this point are documented.
Odor and flavor absorption
Silicone elastomers can retain cooking odors and colors from foods, especially from fats and spices. While this is not a direct chemical hazard, it indicates porous surface porosity that could in principle harbor microorganisms if not dried thoroughly after washing.
Thermal stability and fume risk
Unlike Teflon-type coating (Teflon), silicone does not release toxic fumes at normal baking temperatures. No documented cases of harmful volatilization from food-grade silicone molds exist in public safety records.
Lead and cadmium in colorants
Cuisinart silicone molds typically use FDA-approved colorants, but product documentation does not explicitly rule out heavy metals in pigments. No recalls or safety warnings specific to this product are on record.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Non-Stick Baking Molds
Calphalon
Square Savarin Silicone Baking Mold
Food-grade silicone
Lower PFAS concern; silicone baking molds don't typically contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Calphalon
Silicone Baking Mold (Alphabet)
Silicone (food-grade)
Lower concern. Silicone baking molds rarely contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Calphalon
Cobblestone Pan Silicone Baking & Freezing Mold
food-grade silicone
Lower PFAS concern; silicone molds rarely contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
More non-stick baking molds grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.