If you have ever wondered if it is safe to put your frying pan in the oven, then this article is for you. The quick answer of this question is yes, you can.
However, not every frying pan (skillet) is safe for oven use. It depends on the type of material. Also, different materials can withstand different oven temperatures. Moreover, brands also play their part.
Non-stick cookware, in particular, Teflon coated, has certain temperature restrictions.
If you are curious about the oven temperature, then the least many frying pans can handle is 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is an oven safe frying pan?
An oven safe frying pan is a type of cookware that has been designed for use in an oven. But, you can also use them on top of the stove.
Ovenproof skillets come in a variety of materials and styles. The type of material determines how the cookware can be used, as well as the temperature at which it is safe to use.
The other components of these frying pans (handles and lids) are also created by keeping the word ovenproof in mind.
These special handles can withstand high temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, long enough to cook your dish. A good ovenproof skillet also includes a heat-resistant glass lid with a silicone seal.
What types of frying pans are ideal for oven use?
Read below to learn about the pans that are suitable for oven use.
Are cast iron skillets oven safe?
The answer is yes. Cast iron frying pans are known for their durability, versatility, and ability to cook food evenly. Most cast iron skillets are oven safe up to temperatures of 600 degrees Fahrenheit. They take a long time to heat up, but they keep the heat well once they are up to high temperatures.
They have been around for a long time. As cast iron is durable, cast iron pans have lasted generations and are still being used today. They are relatively inexpensive that makes them a great choice for home use.
However, cast iron needs a little bit more care because it requires special seasoning oils, but once seasoned properly; it can be used in both ovens and stovetops for cooking or baking at high heat. These skillets are also heavy because of their heavy-duty construction.
Are stainless steel pans ovenproof?
Over time, a good-quality stainless steel pan will not corrode or rust at all, and it can be heated to higher temperatures. Some stainless steel skillets are resistant to heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. At the same time, some can handle up to 600 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures.
The best stainless steel frying pans are sturdy and thick, but this is no guarantee that they will not take on stains over time. The thicker the pan, however, the better the heat distribution and the faster food will cook.
Keep in mind that stainless steel itself is not a good conductor of heat, but stainless steel pans are made using bonding layers of copper and aluminum, which are highly conductive metals. The layers of these highly conductive metals make stainless steel pans a good conductor of heat.
While these pans are immune from corrosion, they are still susceptible to scratching or denting through heavy use without proper care.
Can I use carbon steel pans inside the oven?
Carbon steel is also the safest material to use inside the oven for cooking or baking.
Carbon steel frying pans are very easy to care for, but keep in mind that they are not non-stick. You can use a cooking spray or oil of some kind to create a non-stick surface similar to cast iron skillets.
These pans can be very affordable and are extremely durable. Some people say that they are not as efficient at conducting heat as something like an aluminum or copper pan, but you don’t have to worry about your carbon steel frying pan getting hot spots (unless you use it without oil or cooking spray). These pans won’t get hot spots and can be used on high heat.
As they can resist high heat, they are ideal to use inside ovens. Some of these pans can bear 800 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit temperature, whereas others can withstand up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do copper pans safe for oven use?
Copper skillets are also ovenproof. On average, they can handle high heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Copper is one of the most conductive metals out there, and that means it is great at transferring heat quickly to whatever is cooking in it. Your frying pan won’t have hot spots because it will distribute heat evenly over its surface. The transfer of heat can be a benefit in some ways, but it also means that your food will cook much more quickly in a copper frying pan.
However, copper is reactive, which means it will get stained or tainted by the food being cooked in it. This is not usually a problem for your average meal, but some people don’t like that their food comes into contact with metal while cooking. To overcome this problem, many copper pans are lined with other non-reactive metals to protect the pan, and the most common is stainless steel.
Are Aluminum pans oven safe?
The frying pans made out of aluminum are an excellent conductor of heat. This material provides even heating across the entire cooking surface that can help avoid hot spots in your cooking. Also, since aluminum is a lightweight metal, it is very easy to handle compared to cast iron or steel pans.
Natural aluminum is reactive with specific acidic foods. That means you can experience a metallic taste. To handle this, aluminum pans are always lined with non-reactive metals (mainly stainless steel) or anodized to make them useful inside the ovens under high heat.
They are also very easy to use and clean. The hard anodized surface is non-stick, so there will be no need to add extra oils or fats into your food when cooking with this quality aluminum frying pan.
Do all non-stick pans oven safe?
Most of the non-stick fry pans are oven safe too. Some are ovenproof up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas some can only resist heat up to 350 degrees.
Teflon-coated non-stick pans should not be heated at more than 500 degrees. Make sure the handle of your Teflon-coated pan is not plastic. It must be stainless steel or aluminum.
If the handle has a silicone covering, then these non-stick skillets can handle up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures.
What should I look for when checking if my pan is ovenproof?
You can easily find out whether your frying pan is oven safe or not. First, check the material of the pan. If it is made with cast iron, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, or carbon steel, it is safe and sound to use inside the oven. Along with the material of the pan, check the material of the handle. Make sure it is not wood or plastic.
Next, you can check the bottom of your skillet to find the ovenproof symbol. Also, the maximum temperature the pan can handle will be mentioned there. If there is no symbol, go through the user instructions to ensure your product is suitable for oven use.
Another option is to look for details of the specific product on the website of the manufacturer.
You can also call the manufacturer of your pan if you are unsure whether it is ovenproof. They will let you know if their product has been designed for this type of heat intensity.
Are lids of the frying pans oven safe?
Lids made of tempered glass or stainless steel are perfect for oven use. Glass lids can easily bear high heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, stainless steel can resist more heat.
One thing to check is the knob of the lid. It should not be made with plastic. If it is, either change the knob or change the lid.
Are handles of the pans safe for oven use?
Avoid plastic handles if you are going to heat your pan at higher temperatures. The plastic handle can melt and cause the metal disc within the handle to fly out of the pan. It is not advisable to eat food that has been cooked with a flying metal disc in it anyway. Also, if your frying pan has a wooden handle, do not put that into an oven either; the wood will probably catch fire.
If we talk about silicone, then silicone handle covers can resist heat up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Some silicone-made handles are removable as well. Rubber handles are also usually safe to use. But it is better to have a handle made with cast iron or stainless steel as they have the ability to bear high temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. But avoid getting your hands directly in contact with these handles as they tend to get extremely hot. For this, silicone oven mitts are advisable.
What will happen if you use a non-oven-safe pan inside the oven?
A pan that is not designated as an oven-safe pan should never be used in the oven. Many people don’t realize it until too late, but placing a non-oven safe pan in the oven will cause it to warp from the extreme heat of the cooking process. This can make it very difficult to use or clean with time and may decrease its lifespan. The longer it sits at high temperature inside the oven, the more likely it is that the plastic or wood handle will catch on fire.
It will also cause an uneven distribution of heat, leading to burns or undercooked food on one side.
Other than this, the material could cause toxic fumes to form when heating up, which pose health concerns.
Precautions to take while cooking with a frying pan in the oven
Here are some valuable tips on how to keep your frying pan safe while using it in the oven.
- Never trust the oven safe temperature mentioned on your product. Always heat it lower than that for the safety of your pan.
- Teflon-coated non-stick pans can only handle medium-high temperatures. Therefore, it is suggested to always heat them at lower temperatures to avoid damaging the coating. Also, it will keep you safe from harmful chemicals that can emit during the heating process.
- Always make sure your oven is set at the right temperature before placing food inside.
- Check the material of the handle. It should not be made with plastic or wood.
- Keep your eyes peeled for oil popping out from the pan while cooking. If you see that happening, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool down. Oil popping out from the pan is a sign that your pan isn’t durable enough for cooking within high heat conditions, as it can cause fires to break out.
- Make sure not to lose track of time when checking food – this way, you’ll be able to remove the frying pan from the oven before it overheats.
- Finally, make sure not to place anything flammable on top of the pan when using it for baking purposes.
Conclusion
Many frying pans are suited for oven use. However, the highest temperature they can withstand depends on the material and the brand. Non-stick pans are also oven safe, but it is advisable to heat them below 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The lids and handles of the frying pans are also ovenproof but always avoid handles made with wood or plastic.
