Put A Lid On It
A lid for every pot? Today’s Grommet has it covered.
Made from food-grade silicone, UFO lids from Silikomart are reusable, dishwasher-safe alternatives to plastic wrap and aluminum foil. They’re the perfect splatter shields when you want to heat something in the oven or microwave. Need to keep a side dish hot or a picnic salad under wraps? A UFO lid can be used on any pot, container or dish -- metal, glass, ceramic or plastic. If you want to bring dinner to a friend or store leftovers in the fridge, simply push the center of the lid to create a seal.
The source of these eco-friendly lids is Silikomart, an Italian kitchenware company. The designer, Andrea Grossaade, was inspired by his wife, who wanted a universal lid that would fit all her pots and pans, so she could reclaim some space in her crowded kitchen cabinets. Andrea’s first prototypes looked like alien spaceships, and the UFO moniker stuck. Flying saucers in the kitchen? We’re all for it.
Dan
Hi, I’m Dan Tompkins with HIC.
We are a family owned company based in NJ that distributes products in the gourmet and housewares industry.
I am somewhat of an expert on all things UFO and I will be taking questions on Roswell, Area 51 and the silicone UFO lids.
I look forward to talking to everyone today.
Emily
1/12/2012 1:25 PMHi Dan, once an item is covered with these lids, can other items be stacked on top of them, like in a refrigerator, or would it break the seal or not be advisable for any other reason?
Dan – Special Guest
1/12/2012 1:40 PM@Emily: Hi Emily, i would advise against it. It might work in the short term depending on the weight and diameter of what you were stacking, but the weight of the container on top of the lid would most likely, at some point, break the seal.
LittleJam
1/12/2012 1:27 PMWill these lids create a seal on a plastic container, too?
Dan – Special Guest
1/12/2012 1:44 PM@LittleJam: Hi LJ, yes. A plastic container would be fine.
Diane
1/12/2012 1:44 PMHow does his product stack up against tomato based foods that tend to discolor most other plastic products?
Dan – Special Guest
1/12/2012 2:01 PM@Diane: Hi Diane, great question. Silicone is not porous like plastics and handles acidic foods like tomato sauce really well.
nancy cales
1/12/2012 2:09 PMCan you tell me if the silicone releases any toxins into the food when heated? TY.
Dan – Special Guest
1/12/2012 3:02 PM@nancy cales: Hi Nancy, silicone is inert, which means it is has little reactive properties. It is completely non-toxic and does not contain chemicals like BPA. They also conform to EC, FDA and H.A.C.C.P recommendations for safety. I don't know that there are any studies that exist to the contrary.
Eileen
1/12/2012 2:26 PMDo you have a cover that would work for reheating a plate of food? I'm guessing it would have to be dome shape though (which may not work with your model?)
Dan – Special Guest
1/12/2012 3:04 PM@Eileen: Hi Eileen, you can use these lids for reheating food. You just need to leave some space open so that the steam can vent.
Eileen
1/12/2012 3:43 PM@Dan Tompkins: I was thinking that a flat plate + one of the covers in the video would mean flattened food?
Dan – Special Guest
1/12/2012 4:20 PM@Eileen: Hi Eileen, i see what you are saying now. This is not the right product for reheating a full plate of food. You would definitely want something more dome-shaped...which is a great idea! Thanks for the suggestion.
Eileen
1/12/2012 7:34 PM@Dan Tompkins: No problem, I can be a tester for you too! ;) At the very least I'll have to subscribe to your newsletter so I can find out when it comes out!