Silicone vs Plastic Ice Cube Trays: Which Should You Buy?

The short answer: silicone ice cube trays are usually the better buy because they flex for easy release, stay flexible in the freezer, and handle dishwasher heat. Plastic trays win on price and sometimes on shape variety, but they crack and stick more often.

That does not mean plastic is always wrong. This guide compares the two materials on the things that actually matter: release, durability, food safety, cleaning, and price.

Release: where the real difference shows

Silicone trays twist, bend, and pop cubes out from the bottom. That flexibility is why frozen food rarely sticks, and it is also why they work for baby puree, herbs, and broth, not just water.

Plastic trays are rigid. You twist them hard, run hot water over them, or bang them on the counter to free the ice. All three habits eventually crack the tray or crack the cubes.

Durability in the freezer

Silicone stays flexible down to freezer temperatures, so hundreds of freeze-thaw cycles do not weaken it. Food-grade silicone also tolerates dishwasher heat without warping.

Plastic becomes more brittle as it gets cold. Thin plastic trays crack after months of use, and some cheap trays warp in the dishwasher. Thick, well-made plastic lasts longer, but it still does not flex.

Food safety and taste

Look for BPA-free labeling on either material. Food-grade silicone is generally inert and does not leach into ice, and most brands are certified for food contact. Plastic varies more: some food-safe plastics are fine, while low-quality ones can absorb odors or contain additives you would rather avoid.

Taste is a practical signal. Silicone rarely transfers flavor, while plastic trays can make ice taste like the freezer if the plastic absorbs smells over time. If your ice tastes like plastic, the tray is usually the culprit.

Cleaning

Most silicone trays are dishwasher safe and rinse clean because nothing sticks to the surface. Plastic trays can often go in the dishwasher too, but repeated heat cycles age them faster, and residues from colored drinks can stain light plastic.

When plastic still makes sense

• You need a very cheap tray for occasional use
• You found a thick, BPA-free plastic tray with a shape silicone does not offer
• You only freeze plain water and do not mind twisting to release
• You want stackable trays with built-in lids, where plastic lids seal better in some designs

Shape variety is plastic's quiet advantage. Because plastic can be molded into rigid frames, you will find more stackable systems, trays with bins, and multi-layer sets than in silicone alone. If freezer space is tight and you need several trays in one column, a rigid set with a lid can be the better fit despite the material's downsides.

Price also matters at scale. A single silicone tray costs two or three times as much as a basic plastic one, so a household that wants five trays for weekly batch freezing may prefer plastic frames with silicone bottoms, a hybrid that gives flexibility where it counts.

Common questions

Is silicone ice cube tray safe for food?

Food-grade silicone is generally safe and inert, but buy from brands that state food-grade certification. BPA-free is not the same as silicone; silicone itself contains no BPA.

Why does my plastic tray crack in the freezer?

Plastic becomes brittle at low temperatures. Twisting a rigid tray while the plastic is cold is the fastest way to crack it.

Do silicone trays hold water better?

A silicone tray holds water fine when it sits level, but it is flexible, so moving a full tray requires care. A tray with a lid or a stiff frame solves that.

Can I put silicone trays in the dishwasher?

Most food-grade silicone is dishwasher safe. Check the label, and keep the tray on the top rack if the instructions are unclear.

Do plastic trays make ice taste different?

Cheap or heavily used plastic can absorb odors and make ice taste like the freezer. High-quality food-grade plastic usually does not, but silicone is the safer bet if you have noticed a taste.

Cost over two years

A plastic tray costs a few dollars and often needs replacing once a year as it cracks or warps. A silicone tray costs two or three times as much and usually lasts through hundreds of batches. Over two years of daily ice, silicone is typically the cheaper choice despite the higher sticker price.

The math flips only for occasional use. If your trays sit in a drawer for months between parties, cheap plastic is fine, because it will fail from age, not use.

For baby food and purees

Freezing puree makes the material choice easier: silicone releases frozen portions cleanly and rinses free of residue, which matters when you are popping out sweet potato cubes one-handed. Plastic trays that need twisting or hot water turn a simple step into a mess. Choose food-grade silicone and skip the BPA question entirely.

Lids and frames change the trade-off

A rigid frame with a silicone base combines the best of both materials, and a sealing lid removes silicone's main weakness, which is carrying a full flexible tray. If your kitchen is small and you need to stack, look for that hybrid design before settling on either single-material option.

For everyday use, silicone costs a little more and earns it back in release, durability, and cleaner-tasting ice. Buy plastic only when price or a specific shape matters more than convenience.