Not all Frying Pans are not made of the same material and are meant to go in the oven. It is not because of the material itself but because of the construction of the pan.
The next important thing to consider before going to put your frying pan in over is the maximum temperature that particular pan can withstand.
As a person experienced in Culinary Arts, and a home chef for as long as I can remember I often get this question from friends and family.
The answer is not as simple as it may seem and there are a few things you need to know in order to make an informed decision.
Read on to find out if can you put a pan in the oven.
What pans can go in the oven?
Any type of pan can go in the oven, as long as it is oven-safe. The most important thing to consider when putting a pan in the oven is the material it is made from.
Stainless steel, carbon steel, cast iron, and copper frying pans are the safest for oven use with an average maximum temperature of 500°F. Non-stick pans can be used in the oven up to 450°F temperature on average.
However, avoid putting pans that have materials made from plastic or wood in the oven, as they can melt or catch fire. If you’re unsure whether a pan is safe to put in the oven, check the manufacturer’s instructions or ask a professional.
How to Know if your pan is oven safe or not?
The best way to know if your pan is oven-safe or not is to check the manufacturer’s instruction manual. These days digital versions of newer and older models are also available on the brand’s or any retailer’s website.
Some skillets have icons on the bottom that show you which type of burners it is safe for and if the skillet can also go in the oven and the maximum temperature it can tolerate. But there is no standard oven-safe symbol.
Another resource for finding this information is online forums like Amazon, eBay, Quora, or Reddit. The FAQs section on the brand’s website is also a great option.
If all fails you can always call the customer support department of the brand to find this information.
Mostly you’ll find manufacturers state the following for cookware with these features:
Can Cast Iron Pans go in the Oven?
Yes, cast iron pans can be used in ovens. In fact, My Le Creuset cast iron frying pan which I frequently use on the stovetop and in the oven is oven-safe to 500°F.
Cast iron frying pans are one of the best choices for searing on the stovetop and finishing cooking in the oven, as they conduct heat evenly and can withstand high temperatures.
Can Non-Stick Pans go in the Oven?
Many non-stick pans are oven-safe up to a certain temperature, but there are a few exceptions. If you’re baking at a temperature higher than 400 F, you’ll want to avoid using a non-stick pan.
Non-stick pans are coated with a chemical called Teflon which helps to prevent food from sticking.
However, this coating can begin to break down at high temperatures, releasing harmful chemicals into the food.
Some non-stick pans with plastic wrapped around the handle can only handle temperatures up to 350°F.
In addition, the non-stick coating can also make it difficult for the pan to reach the desired temperature, resulting in uneven cooking.
Few non-stick frying pans like Cuisinart Chef’s Classic and Swiss Diamond XD can tolerate 500°F
Pro Tip: Wrap a fat wet layer of paper towels and then a double layer of aluminum foil on the plastic handle. In this way, you can keep a non-stick pan with a plastic handle in the oven at 425°F for about an hour
Can Aluminum Pans go in the Oven?
Yes, aluminum pans are safe to use in the oven. Aluminum is a good conductor of heat, so it heats up evenly. It’s also lightweight and durable, making it a good choice for bakeware.
However, it’s better to use anodized aluminum pans, as they are non-reactive and less likely to cause problems with food.
Can Copper Pans go in the Oven?
Yes, copper pans are safe to use in the oven. Copper is an excellent conductor of heat and heats up very quickly. However, copper pans can be expensive and require more care than other types of bakeware.
Copper is also very reactive, so avoid making acidic foods in copper pans. Modern copper pans are made with a lining of stainless steel or tin to avoid this problem.
However, check the manufacturer’s guidelines on how much temperature the lining can safely handle. e.g Tin has a low melting point of 450°F and shouldn’t be used at higher temperatures.
Can Stainless Steel Pans go in the Oven?
Yes, stainless steel pans are oven-safe. However Stainless steel is not a very good conductor of heat so it’s not ideal for baking. Having said that, Stainless Steel pans with multi-clad construction (layers of stainless steel and aluminum) are better conductors of heat and can be used for baking efficiently.
For context, All-Clad D3 and Made In Stainless Steel frying pans are oven temperature tolerant up to 600°F and 800°F
Pro Tip: If there is a disaster in the kitchen and you get a burned, or sticky mess on the stainless steel pan, simply soak it in the dishwasher to clean it.
Can Carbon Steel Pans go in the Oven?
Yes, carbon steel pans can go in the oven. Carbon steel is one of the best conductors of heat and is often used in professional kitchens. It’s also less expensive than copper. However, like copper, carbon steel is very reactive and can react with acidic food.
Some brands like Made In and Misen make carbon Steel pans that are oven-safe up to 1200°F and 900°F respectively.
Safety tip: Always use pot holders when removing hot pans from the oven.
Can Ceramic Pans go in the Oven?
Yes, ceramic pans can be safely used in the oven. The core material of ceramic cookware is Aluminum which is a good conductor of heat and heats up evenly.
Ceramic coating is non-reactive, so it won’t affect the taste of food. However, ceramic pans can be fragile and require more care than other types of bakeware.
Caraway Cookware Claim that their Ceramic Non-stick pan can be safely used in the oven up to 550 F
Can I Put a frying Pan in the Oven? – Features to Consider
Examine the handles, knobs, and surfaces of your cookware to see if there are any temperature restrictions when trying to determine if a pan is oven-safe:
What Material Is The Cookware Made Of?
If the pan is made of aluminum, ceramic, copper, or carbon steel, it is most likely oven-safe. Stainless steel pans can be used in the oven though it’s better to use those with a multi-clad construction.
On the other hand, if the pan is made of non-stick material, it is not recommended to use it in the oven at a high temperature unless specifically mentioned in the user manual.
Is the Coating on the Pan Heat Resistant?
The Teflon non-stick coating can start to break down at 500°F and release harmful chemicals into the food. The average safe temperature of Teflon pans is between 350°F to 400°F
Some cookware, like enameled pans and ceramic-coated pans, can be used in the oven at a temperature of up to 500°F without any damage.
Anodized aluminum pans have a heat-resistant coating.
Always Check which coating your pan is made up of and the maximum temperature it can tolerate.
Are the Handles of the Pan Oven-Proof or Removable?
The handles of the pan are usually made of plastic or wood. These materials are not oven-safe and can melt or catch fire when exposed to high temperatures.
Some manufacturers use heat-resistant materials like silicone for the handles of their pans. Some handles are detachable, which makes it easier to put the pan in the oven. If the handles are not removable, make sure they are made of heat-resistant material. Always check their maximum temperature tolerance.
Are the Lids of the Cookware Oven-Proof?
The lids of the cookware are usually made of glass or metal. Glass lids can usually withstand average temperatures up to 350°F. Metal lids can handle higher temperatures, but it depends on the type of metal. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure.
Pro Tip: you can always cover your pan with Aluminium foil instead of using the lid if you are not sure. As the Aluminum Foil can handle very high temperatures up to 1220°F. which is unlikely to be reached in any cooking applications.
Conclusion
So the conclusion is, most of the time you can put a frying pan in the oven. However, it is important to note that not all frying pans are oven-safe.
In order to ensure that your frying pan is safe to use in the oven, check the manufacturer’s instructions or look for a symbol on the pan itself that indicates it is oven-safe.
Most pans can be used in the oven at a temperature of 350°F without any problems. Others can safely tolerate temperatures up to 800°F. However, some pans with wooden or plastic handles might not be safe to use at high temperatures.
