Designed for Kitchen Heat – ThermoWorks

By Chef David

Working in the kitchen exposes both you and your utensils to extreme heat. Are your tools up to the challenge? From stirring boiling soups to searing on cast iron or flipping on an open grill, food preparation demands a lot from your gear. Most cooks instinctively reach for their go-to utensils without a second thought, but not all materials are designed to be used in high heat.

Understanding Heat Thresholds

• Standard Plastic: Designed for temperatures below 212°F (the boiling point of water). Plastic can easily melt or leach chemicals at higher temperatures.
• Nylon: Heat-resistant up to 400°F, making it suitable for light sautéing but risky for high-heat searing.
• Wood: Handles temperatures above 450°F without melting, though it may char over time with sustained direct heat. Wooden utensils are safe and reliable for general stirring and simmering.
• Metal: Withstands extreme heat, but conducts it rapidly, and handles can become hot to the touch.
• High-End Silicone: Capable of handling temperatures up to 600°F without melting, warping, or conducting heat to the handle.

These thresholds matter most when compared to actual cooking surfaces. Sauces simmer at around 225°F, but when pan-searing and browning, the surface temperatures can be between 400°F and 450°F, and backyard grills frequently hit 600°F.

ThermoWorks Hi-Temp Silicone Series

We tested the Hi-Temp Silicone from ThermoWorks, which includes a Spatula, a Turner, and a Spoonula. Constructed from a single molded piece of  FDA-approved and PFAS-free silicone, these tools are built to withstand temperatures up to 600°F.

Because they are molded seamlessly, there are no crevices to trap food particles. They are stain- and odor-resistant (holding up easily against heavy tomato dishes without discoloring), dishwasher-safe, and feature a textured, ergonomic grip with a hanging loop. They are available in 10 vibrant colors, which is ideal for kosher kitchens.

Spoonula (12.5″) scoops like a spoon, scrapes like a spatula. Its smooth concave surface makes for easy scooping. Edges are smoothly tapered to a sharp point for scraping.

Turner, the wide 3.25” × 3.7” head provides the support you need for flipping everything from burgers to grilled cheese. They are built firm enough for heavy lifting, yet flexible. The thin, tapered edge slips easily under eggs, without scratching non-stick surfaces.

Spatula comes in three sizes: 10”, 12.5”, and 14.5”. Features a squared corner designed to reach into tight pan edges and jar bottoms, paired with a tapered scraping side.

You can confidently reach for these kitchen staples, no matter what task is at hand, because they can handle the heat.

A Versatile Cover

Cookware surfaces often get much hotter than the food inside them (a cast-iron skillet used for stovetop searing can easily reach 650°F). While standard silicone lids degrade above 450°F, ThermoWorks Universal Hi-Temp Silicone Lids are rated from -40°F up to 600°F.

These lids create an airtight suction seal when placed over smooth rims. The low grip on the central handle allows for easy placement across a wide variety of tasks, from steeping tea to braising inside the oven. Because of their relatively flat profile, they are good for storing leftovers in the refrigerator directly in the pots or serving bowls.  They do not require the additional clearance needed for pot covers and are easy to store. 

The set includes 8 lids ranging from 4.5″ to 12″ in diameter, and is currently only available in black.

The Hi-Temp Silicone Series has you covered from stove to refrigerator to freezer.