No, filtering is more or less just a cosmetic thing when the run is imperfect and you get metal particles or dust in the glass or what-have-you.
Silicone is heat resistant. I use a silicone tube to extend the nozzle of my distiller down into the glassware, so that's close to boiling temperature. No issues. There's silicone oven mats.
Correct, thanks. I had forgotten about the oven mats, we cook our chips on one.