Calphalon · Non-Stick Baking Molds
Square Savarin Silicone Baking Mold
Lower PFAS concern; silicone baking molds don't typically contain PFAS.
Food-grade silicone is inherently PFAS-free and needs no nonstick coating or Teflon-family coating. Calphalon silicone baking molds skip these high-risk components entirely.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Food-grade silicone
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
Degradation and brittleness over time
Silicone can lose flexibility and develop cracks after prolonged exposure to heat, UV light, or repeated thermal cycling. Calphalon does not publish expected product lifespan; visible damage is the trigger for replacement.
Mold and bacterial colonization
Silicone's porous surface can trap moisture and food residue if not cleaned thoroughly or dried completely between uses, creating conditions for microbial growth. This is a maintenance issue, not an inherent material hazard.
Odor and flavor absorption
Silicone is known to absorb and retain strong odors and flavors (e.g., garlic, fish, turmeric) that may transfer to subsequent baked goods. This is a sensory issue rather than a toxicological hazard but can affect usability.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Silicone polymer leaching (oligomers/breakdown products)
Food-grade silicone is chemically inert at normal baking temperatures and has not been documented to release harmful monomers or oligomers into food. No recalls or safety studies show leaching from Calphalon silicone molds specifically.
Colorant or filler contaminants in silicone formulation
No reports of heavy metals, azo dyes, or other toxic additives in Calphalon silicone baking molds. Food-grade silicone typically meets FDA CFR 177.2600; Calphalon does not disclose batch testing or third-party verification.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Calphalon's Square Savarin mold is constructed from food-grade silicone, a synthetic polymer that does not contain BPA, phthalates, or other plasticizers commonly found in plastic bakeware. Silicone resists temperature swings (typically -40°F to 500°F), does not leach monomers when heated, and remains chemically inert during normal baking use. Unlike traditional non-stick cookware coatings (Teflon-type coating/Teflon-type coating analogs), silicone is not applied as a thin degradable layer but is the base material itself, eliminating peeling and fume risks.
The brand's record and disclosure
Calphalon does not publicly disclose PFAS testing data or comprehensive safety certifications for this product line. The brand maintains a general 'food-grade' claim but offers no third-party lab reports. No recalls or established safety complaints are on record for Calphalon silicone baking molds. The parent company (Groupe SEB) has not published a formal PFAS elimination commitment for kitchen silicone products.
How it compares in its category
Silicone baking molds are among the safest options in non-stick bakeware, avoiding both Teflon-type coating fume risk and metal-based leaching concerns that affect ceramic-coated or anodized aluminum molds. They underperform traditional metal molds in heat conductivity (slower, more even browning trade-off) but eliminate chemical-release hazards. Direct competitors (OXO, KitchenAid silicone molds) have similar material profiles and lack public safety disclosures.
If you buy it
Hand wash after each use or use gentle dishwasher cycles (silicone can retain odors and faint staining if exposed to bold flavors or high heat on repeat). Do not exceed 500°F; verify oven compatibility at your intended temperature. Silicone does not degrade rapidly, but inspect for cracks, discoloration, or sticky residue every 1-2 years; discard if structural integrity is compromised. Store away from direct sunlight to slow any long-term polymer aging.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Calphalon has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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.