Make a Food-Safe Silicone Mold from 3D Printed Object

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Using Smooth-On's Sorta Clear 37 silicone for mold-making from 3D printed objects presents challenges due to its thick consistency, making it difficult to measure and pour. The material typically requires a vacuum chamber and pump to eliminate gas bubbles effectively. There is interest in finding a food-safe silicone that is thinner and does not necessitate vacuuming, even if it means longer curing times or multiple components. Alternatives for hobbyists may exist that are thinner and could mitigate bubble issues. While a vacuum is beneficial, a strong one isn't essential; a cheap hand vacuum pump or a vacuum created by a venture valve may suffice. Safety considerations include ensuring the container used for vacuuming is robust enough to avoid implosion. Concerns about purchasing a vacuum chamber and pump are noted, as they may not have further applications after the initial use.
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Are certain materials possible?
I tried using Smooth-ons Sorta Clear 37 silicone material to try to make a mold from a 3D printed object. It is very difficult to work with. Super thick (thus hard to measure and pour) and really requires vacuum chamber and vacuum pump to remove gas bubbles. Is there any conceivable way to create a food safe silicone material that starts much thinner and doesn't require a vacuum? Personally don't care if it requires a much longer cure time or more than 2 parts.
 
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I don't know about food grade products, but you could shop around for other, thinner products that might fit your bill. There are lots of products for hobbyists. A sufficiently thin bunch of chemicals might not have the bubble problem.
A longer working might be helpful.

Being able to draw a vacuum on your materials is really helpful. But I don't think it has to be a very strong one. The lower pressure makes the bubbles larger so they float up and pop.
A cheap hand vacuum pump would probably suffice or a vacuum drawn by a venture valve.
You will need a container large enough for your product that won't implode. This is a safety issue.
 
You may be able to use a vacuum cleaner for initial trials.

(They even work great for collapsing inflatable beds and air mattresses. Just don't use them to maintain a vacuum, the motors burn up without the airflow.:doh:)
 
I absolutely do not want to buy a vacuum chamber and pump. There would be no other application afterwards for those things.
 

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