AWC Update #12 - A Note On Food And Fire Safety

Food Safety

Using 3D prints in the kitchen can make it easy to produce amazing effects and enchant your guests. However, there are certain considerations that need to be taken into account such as bacteria build up, print lifespan and difficulties with cleaning.

We have put together links to set of great resources that are worth a read before heading into the kitchen with your prints.

Form labs' well researched guide is referenced on a number of other online articles. It has a great summary of the problems that could be encountered and even links to a few food safe coatings and sealants available. 

All 3DP is another good article and even has a short section on cookie cutters and “limited food contact time”

Here are a handful of other useful articles our team have been looking through and you may find their contents interesting. 

Sprint Ray - Is Resin Toxic?

Stack Exchange - SLA Printers: Food-safe resin parts

Art Resin - Epoxy Resin Passes Food Safety Tests

Fargo 3D Printing - Cookie Cutters and Food Safety

3D Printerly - What 3D Printing Material is Food Safe?

ID Zone - A Guide for Food-Safe 3D Printing

Scultpteo - Food safe 3D printing

Although we feel these articles are extremely useful and detailed each country will have its own varying guidelines on what is classed as food safe and they should be consulted if you have any questions.

We have also been given the idea to wrap the cookie cutters in tinfoil as a way to be extra safe and the help the cutters last a little bit longer.

If you have some experience or professional advice that would help the community get their prints into the kitchen then please feel free to share them in the Facebook group.

Fire Safety

Christmas is a time of early nights, twinkling lights and candles. So, despite how obvious it may seem we want to take a minute to make it clear that fire does not, and should not, mix with your resin or plastic 3D prints.

The various types of plastic filament and resins will react to fire slightly differently, some holding a flame while others just melt, however they all give off powerfully toxic fumes which should be avoided.

For this reason, we strongly recommend that if you want to use any 3D prints with lighting that you use a LED lights. We have seen that LED tea lights can work very well, however always follow the safety instructions for the lights you use.