Things have just gone a lot easier with oven-proof pans. They can make your life comfortable and seamless. Apart from baking using your oven-proof pan, you can also use the same pan for cooking your food on the stove before transferring it to your oven.
However, it would help if you ascertained that your pan can safely go into the oven before you can do anything. Check the bottom of your pan to see if it indicates that it is oven-proof. You should find a mark showing the same and how the pan should be used in an oven.
Additionally, you can also go through the instructions that came with the pan and see what temperatures the pan can sustain. Most pans will sustain up to a maximum of 350 degrees while others will go as far as 500 degrees, or even sometimes higher.
In case you have lost the user manual that came with the pan, be sure to call the manufacturer or try browsing their site if you could find any related information. Let the manufacturer tell you whether your pan is oven-safe and the amount of heat it can sustain. Once you know this, you should be able to tell whether or not your pan is oven-safe.
Factors to Consider To Decide if a Pan is Oven-Safe
Before letting out your pan to the oven, it is essential that you confirm if all the components can accommodate high temperatures. For example, you need to check the material used to make the pan, the pan’s coating, and its handles.
Additionally, you should be sure that your pan’s lid is resistant to heat, especially if you have plans to bake with the pan. To help you understand better, we have discussed each of these factors below. Please check them out.
1. The Material
The first thing you need to check to make sure that your pan is oven-safe is the material used in making the pan. Oven-safe pans should be made of aluminum, copper, ceramic, stainless steel, or cast iron. If your pan is made of materials other than the above, be sure to confirm with the manufacturer if the pan is oven-safe.
You will find out that your pan is made of the materials listed or a combination of the materials above in some cases. However, before you start using your pan in the oven, you need to make sure that all parts of your pan are oven-safe, and not only one component. This will help you avoid any damages that might be caused by high temperatures.
2. Check If the Coating Is Heat-Resistant
The next feature you want to check is whether or not your pan’s coating is heat-resistant. Non-stick coatings are excellent and can make your life comfortable. However, the non-stick coatings, especially Teflon, have many restrictions on the amount of temperatures they can sustain, so keep an eye on that.
Pan coating can always make your cooking experience a lot better, but it could be a hindrance in terms of heat resistance. Be sure to read the instructions or user manuals carefully before taking any step to put your pan in the oven.
Pans with Teflon non-stick coatings will most likely deteriorate in quality if exposed to higher temperatures, say, 500 degrees. Teflon non-stick pans will begin to wear out when you expose them to extreme temperatures like 500 degrees.
Even worse, these kinds of pans could release toxic gases into the air when exposed to higher temperatures. In other words, you should refrain from using pans with a Teflon non-stick coating for baking activities.
On the contrary, ceramic and enameled coated pans are very safe for use in the oven, with temperatures up to 500 degrees. However, you still need to make sure that every component of your pan is oven-safe before you choose to put it in the oven.
In summary, you need to read the user manuals and instructions that come with the pan to ensure that everything is okay before using the pan for baking purposes. Reading the manuals will always give you insight into using your pan, among other sensitive issues. In any case, you cannot find your user manual, reach out to the manufacturer, or browse the manufacturer’s website to find out more.
3. Check If The Handles are Oven-Proof
The handles also are an essential element of your pan, and as such, you need to make sure that it is also oven-proof. Pan handles are always very sensitive, and that’s why it’s recommended that you make sure that they are also oven-proof.
Oven-proof handles usually have a protective coating to make it more risk-free to handle. Sadly, the handles of most pans are usually made of wood, plastic, or any other sensitive materials that aren’t suitable for the oven.
If you want an oven-proof handle, be sure to check out pans with handles made of silicone. Silicone handles can sustain between 350 and 482 degrees heat. The grip will indeed lose its color due to the high temperatures in the oven, but this shouldn’t worry you because it has nothing to do with its functionality.
Handles are a critical element of the pan, and they dictate whether or not a pan is oven-safe. As we said, most pans come with handles made from insulating materials, which is comfortable to handle but won’t sustain the heat in the oven. That is why you always need to be wary not to put pans with such handles into the oven.
Instead, go with only silicone panhandles, which are capable of sustaining up to 475 degrees. These handle types are safe for the oven and can be comfortably used to bake. Rubber handles can also be an excellent substitute for silicone panhandles. You will most likely see your rubber handle fade in color, but this shouldn’t worry you at all.
Finally, feel free to use pans with metallic or stainless steel handles in the oven. These materials are sturdy and can sustain temperatures as high as 500 degrees. However, you will need to be extra careful when holding the handle because it will be really hot when you finish baking. You could use a thick piece of cloth to hold it while still hot.
4. Check if the Pan Handles are Detachable
Now, we talked about the handles being an essential element in your pan, and they dictate whether or not you can safely use your pan in the oven. We talked about the material used to make the panhandles and gave a few suggestions. Now, what if you have the recommended handle types, but they can get just too hot to handle when you finish baking?
You need a detachable handle. A detachable handle will improve the tolerance of your pan to high temperatures. Additionally, detachable pan handles will make your work easier, especially when you have a stainless or metallic panhandle that gets too hot by the time you finish baking. You can always replace the handle whenever you want to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Today, many frying pan models come with detachable handles to make your cooking from the stove to the oven seamless. This is very convincing because you can always remove and fix the handle with just a button’s simple push. In a nutshell, detachable handles improve heat resistance, making them safe for oven use.
5. Check if the Lids are Oven-Proof
Lastly, you will need to ascertain that your pan lid is oven-safe. It can be frustrating to see the lid of your pan shatter when you are just about to finish baking. Make sure that you are maintaining a temperature that is safe for your pan lid. Pan lids made from glass will usually sustain up to 400 degrees.
Some pans come with plastic lids, which are excellent in preventing you from getting burnt. However, plastic knobs are not safe to use in the oven and should be avoided by all means. This is because plastic lids will start melting when the temperatures get too hot to handle. And when they start melting, you stand a risk of getting burnt.
Phenolic knobs are better than plastic knobs. Phenolic knobs are thermally-resistant and can sustain up to 375 degrees. However, it is essential to note that phenolic knobs shouldn’t be exposed to more than 375 degrees.
In summary, you need to make sure that the pan you are purchasing has a phenolic knob, especially if you will use the pan for baking. Avoid pans with plastic lids because they will quickly melt, and you stand a risk of getting burnt when exposed to high oven temperatures.
Which Type of Pans Can be Put in the Oven?
So far we have told you which factors to consider while choosing a pan. Let’s now discuss the other type of pans and if they are Oven-Safe or not.
Are Non-Stick Pans Oven-Safe?
NO, non-stick pans aren’t suitable for oven use because they can’t sustain high temperatures. It doesn’t matter whether you remove the glass lids and plastic handles from the non-stick pans; they will still wear out due to the high temperatures.
Additionally, Teflon non-stick coating usually releases toxic fumes, which can be dangerous to you and your entire neighborhood. These toxic fumes could also get into your food, which can put you at more risk. In a nutshell, avoid using a non-stick pan for baking.
Are Cast Iron Pans Oven-Safe?
YES, cast iron pans are considered one of the safest for use in the oven because they are entirely made from metals, which can always sustain too high temperatures.
While it is very rare to find cast iron pans with plastic handles, you still need to confirm whether the pan you are purchasing has a plastic handle. Plastic handles aren’t great and will quickly melt when exposed to too high temperatures.
Are Aluminum Pans Oven-Safe?
YES, aluminum pans are oven-safe because they are anodized, making them non-reactive and suitable for handling too high temperatures. Aluminum is a good material for oven use, so yes, aluminum pans are oven-safe.
Because of the higher conductivity of aluminum pans, rest assured that your pan will absorb heat quickly and meet the high-temperature demands by the oven. Additionally, aluminum pans will evenly distribute heat to ensure that your baking is a success.
Are Farberware Pans Oven-Safe?
YES, Farberware pans are oven-safe because they come with many types of oven-safe handles. They usually come in phenolic handles, which can sustain up to 350 degrees. Additionally, these pans also come with silicone handles, which can support up to 400 degrees. Other handles, such as cast iron and stainless steel, will go as far as 500 degrees.
Farberware is a reputable brand that has been in the cookware industry for more than 7 years. The brand features some of the best ceramic cookware you need to check out. The best of all is that their cookware is free from PTFE, PFOA, and cadmium. Their cookware also comes with a ceramic non-stick coating, making the cookware easy to wash and clean.
Are Stainless Steel Pans Oven-Safe?
YES, stainless steel pans are oven-safe. They are durable and can withstand high temperatures without getting damaged. However, stainless steel offers low conductivity, so they are not commonly used for baking purposes.
However, stainless steel pans are oven-safe compared to non-stick bakeware because they can sustain up to 500 degrees.
If you buy a stainless steel pan, be sure to check the handles of the pan. Now, stainless steel pans will come with different handles, some with wooden handles, some with metal handles, etc. Wooden or plastic handles are not good enough to go into the oven. Rubber handles are safe but will fade in color over time, which is not a cause of alarm.
Are Copper Pans Oven-Safe?
YES, copper pans are oven-safe because they conduct heat well. In other words, copper can adjust and respond positively to heat demands. This is why most people prefer to use copper pans for baking purposes.
It is essential to note that copper is very reactive. That means that acids, such as tomatoes and vinegar, are capable of leaching copper into your food. When this happens, you can suffer severe conditions due to the ingestion of copper. And this is why you will find that many copper cookware is lined.
Finally, copper can conduct up to very high heat, so it is safe for use in the oven. It can sustain fluctuating temperatures, unlike glass, which have different temperature requirements. Copper is one of the best materials recommended for cooking, so feel comfortable using it for your baking purposes.
Are Ceramic Pans Oven-Safe?
YES, ceramic pans are oven-safe. Most ceramic pans will either be entirely ceramic or be made of metal but coated with silicone. The coating is usually done to avoid sticking to food when baking. That said, ceramic pans are excellent for baking.
Many ceramic pans are almost similar to glass because they can also sustain up to very high temperatures (in the oven and stovetop). Pans made entirely from ceramic are very safe for use in the oven.
However, ceramic pans with wooden or plastic handles may not be suitable for use in the oven. Instead of wooden or plastic ceramic panhandles, opt for rubber handles because they don’t get damaged in the oven.