We all have broken a mug or two in the oven. Or even a pan or a pot. It is a natural process of learning and incidents like these make us better than before.
The knowledge of cookware is necessary while cooking with an oven. You cannot just put your food in any pot, pan, or bowl and start cooking it in the oven.
Not all materials are good for high temperatures. And an oven can get over 500°, on a good day. That is why cookware is made especially for the oven.
The cookware won’t break, shatter, melt or even develop cracks in the heat, which is essential for any oven cooking recipe. But what does oven-safe mean? Is it like a pro version for your cookware?
We are going to discuss that in this article.
What Does Oven Safe Mean on Cookware
Any cookware that is made for the oven, is called oven safe. They have a high heat tolerance level, making them ideal for cooking in the oven. Heat treatment is done to ensure their integrity. The cookware can be made out of glass, metal, ceramic, and porcelain. Whatever the material is, if it is oven safe, it can go in the oven. But there are instances you need to rely on your guts. Because although something is leveled oven safe can sometimes not be oven safe.
How to Tell Your Cookware Is Oven Safe
The usual sign to tell if your cookware is safe or not is the level. It will come out of the box saying it is oven safe. There might even be a sign on the bottom embedded on the cookware’s body indicating it is oven safe.
If there is no information about the cookware, you can always visit the product’s name and model on the internet to learn more about it.
One thing you have to keep in mind is that not all parts of your cookware can be oven-safe. For instance, the handles and lid knobs can be made out of bakelite, plastic or even wood. All of them are a big no for the oven.
So if you are going to put cookware in the oven which has any of those materials on them, make sure to take them off.
Which Materials Can Go in the Oven
Metals like stainless steel, steel, and cast iron are the best material to go in the oven. They don’t emit any odor, taste, or color into your food and perform great under heavy heat.
Cookwares made out of aluminum are another great alternative. It is a great heat conductor and works amazingly in the oven.
Heat-treated glassware, ceramics without coating or design, pyrex, and porcelain can go in the oven. But they can only be put under 350° heat. Otherwise, they might start to develop cracks and shatter.
The Cookwares You Should Avoid Putting in an Oven
Along with the cookwares you can put in the oven, you should also consider knowing the materials that you should avoid.
- Wooden cookwares are not at all friendly in the oven. They can not only be a bowl or a pan, but also the handle of your metal cookware. Avoid putting the wooden handles on cookware in the oven. Or you might end up with a burnt to ashes handle.
- Heat is always kryptonite for plastic. So plastic handles, and knobs on your cookware should be taken off if you are going to put it in the oven. If you don’t want your house filled with toxic fume, then it is better to avoid putting anything plastic in the oven. And oven-safe plastic containers will also alter the taste of your food.
- Bakelite is another unfriendly substance for your oven. The cookware might be oven safe and can take on some heat, but the bakelite won’t.
- Silicon on the other hand is good for any type of oven cooking. Mostly used as molds, some cookware has silicon handles, which is good to put in the oven. They won’t melt or catch on fire. But it will accumulate heat in the oven, so use safety measures while removing the cookware from the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is oven-safe?
Oven safe means your cookware is safe to use in the oven. Depending on the brand, material, and treatment, it can withstand different levels of heat. Although some cookwares claim they are oven-safe, they sometimes contain materials like wood, plastic, and bakelite on them. All of which are not oven safe. So make sure to remove them before putting your cookware in the oven.
How do you know if something is oven-safe?
Normally, oven-safe cookware will come with a level saying they are oven safe. The heat tolerance level will also be mentioned on the manual or level. If not, there is also a sign on the bottom of the cookware that will indicate if it is oven safe. And if both of the procedure fails, you can search on the internet for better information about it.
Can I put an oven-safe dish on the stove?
One of the perks of getting an oven-safe dish is they can be used both in the oven and on the stove. As oven-safe cookwares are a bit more expensive than normal cookware, it is a wise decision to invest in some. So you can have the best of both worlds at the same time.
What type of pots is oven-safe?
Metal pots like stainless steel, cast iron, and aluminum are oven safe. Even pots that have copper bottoms can go in the oven with ease. Heat-treated glass, ceramic, and stone pots can also go in the oven. But you have to know their highest heat resistance and use the heat accordingly. Otherwise, they might end up cracking.
Conclusion
Oven-safe cookware is a revolutionary in the cookware industry. You can not only put in metal-made cookwares, but also cookwares made out of glass, ceramic, and stone in the oven now. But remember, although oven-safe, not all of them can take on the highest temperature of the oven. Some metal cookware doesn’t do well at 500° in the oven. So reading the instructions before using them is the best way to go.
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