If you’re cooking seared steaks, frittatas, skillet cookies or any other recipe that calls for cooking the dish in a frying pan on the stovetop and then finishing it off in the oven, then an ovenproof frying pan (like this one) is an extremely handy tool.
An ovenproof pan makes cooking and baking very convenient and comfortable. But putting a frying pan that is not ovenproof into the hot oven can damage the pan irreparably.
And, if you’re wondering whether your frying pan is safe to put into the oven, here are a few tips that can help you to determine if your pan is oven safe or not.
JUMP TO:
- Is It Safe To Put Frying Pans In The Oven?
- Can You Put Non-Stick Frying Pans In The Oven?
- How To Tell If Your Frying Pan Is Oven Safe?
- What Will Happen When You Put A Non-Oven-Safe Pan In The Oven?
- Which Pans Can Be Used In The Oven?
- Are The Handles Of Frying Pan Oven Safe?
- Are the Lids Of A Frying Pan Oven-Safe?
- The Final Word
Is It Safe To Put Frying Pans In The Oven?
Most frying pans are safe to be used in the oven up to 350°F at least, while many pans can withstand much higher temperatures. The oven safe temperature, however, varies by brand, type of pan and material.
For instance, frying pans made of cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel and copper have very high oven-safety ratings of around 500°F. On average, non-stick frying pans are safe to use in the oven at temperatures up to 450°F.
The oven-safe temperatures of pans with plastic or silicone handles are the lowest and pans having wooden handles are not oven safe at all and are suitable for only use on the stovetop.
But before you put your frying pan into the oven, do check the specs and determine if your frying pan can withstand the temperatures of the oven.
Can You Put Non-Stick Frying Pans In The Oven?
Typically, non-stick pans are oven-safe up to 350°F because, at higher temperatures, the non-stick Teflon (PTFE) coating can break down and release toxic fumes. And, exposure to these fumes for prolonged periods can have harmful effects.
The heat tolerance of non-stick frying pans varies by brand and material and so before you do use a non-stick pan in the oven, it is a good idea to check the maximum temperature resistance of the pan as recommended by the manufacturer.
How To Tell If Your Frying Pan Is Oven Safe?
The easiest and best way to determine if your frying pan is safe to put in the oven is to check the bottom of the pan. Usually, frying pans have a stamp on the bottom indicating the maximum temperature the pan can withstand.
If the pan does not have this information, then you can check the user manual, which will contain all the information about the pan. But if you have thrown away or lost the manual, you can look online for a digital version.
You can check the manufacturer’s website for the information or the brand’s FAQ page. If you’re not able to find the information, then you can call or write to the customer care department of the brand.
And, if you have tried all the above sources and are still unable to find any details about the frying pan and are unsure about the material, then it is best not to use it in the oven.
What Will Happen When You Put A Non-Oven-Safe Pan In The Oven?
When you put a non-oven-safe frying pan in the oven, when the pan gets heated, it can release fumes, which can be toxic and harmful.
If the pan’s handle is made of plastic, exposure to the heat can cause the plastic to melt and it may also release harmful fumes. At worst, using a non-oven-safe pan in the oven can damage the pan permanently.
Which Pans Can Be Used In The Oven?
Some of the best pans that can be used safely in the oven include:
Cast Iron
Made of metal entirely, typically, cast-iron pans are highly heat resistant and can be used safely in the oven. But cast-iron pans tend to rust and are quite difficult to clean. So, it is best to look for an enamel-coated cast iron frying pan, which is not only heat resistant but also very easy to clean and maintain.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel pans are among the best oven-safe pans that can tolerate very high heat. They are lighter than cast iron and easier to handle. Often, stainless-steel frying pans have an aluminum layer that enhances heat conduction and retention.
Copper
This is a very good material for safe oven use. But copper pans have a few limitations. They may react with acidic foods, causing the metal to leach into the food.
Furthermore, copper is quite expensive and difficult to maintain. It is best to look for a frying pan with a copper base as copper conducts and retains heat the best.
Ceramic
As long as they are fitted with ovenproof handles, ceramic frying pans are good options to use in the oven. Ceramic is a non-reactive material and can withstand high temperatures, which makes it a wonderful option for use on the stovetop, as well as in the oven.
Aluminum
Aluminum is a reactive metal and also does not retain heat very well. So, aluminum is often used along with special coating or other metals.
It is best to opt for ovenproof hard-anodized non-stick aluminum frying pans but these will not be able to withstand temperatures above 500°F because of the PTFE coating.
Are The Handles Of Frying Pan Oven Safe?
Frying pans with metal handles such as cast iron, stainless steel, aluminum, etc. plastic, rubber and wood can be used safely in the oven. But handles made of silicone and plastic have very low oven-safe temperatures and can melt at temperatures above 350°F.
Handles tend to get quite hot in the oven so, it is a good idea to use a dry towel or silicone mitts when grabbing the handle. Some frying pans have detachable handles that make them very convenient to use in the oven.
Are the Lids Of A Frying Pan Oven-Safe?
Typically, frying pan lids made from tempered glass and stainless steel are oven safe. Tempered glass lids can tolerate temperatures of up to 400°F. Exposure to any temperature higher than this can damage the lid irreparably.
Lids made of cast iron or stainless steel can withstand higher temperatures. Many cheaper brands tend to have plastic knobs on the lids. These cannot withstand the high temperatures of the oven and will melt.
You can either replace the plastic knob with a stainless steel one or you can remove the knob before placing the lid in the oven and then replace it later. Or, the best thing is to put the frying pan into the oven without the lid.
The Final Word
In conclusion, although most frying pans are safe to use in the oven, their oven-safe temperature differs by brand and material. And, there are many factors that you must consider before determining if your frying pan is oven safe or not.
With the information in this article, you can ensure the safe use of your frying pans in the oven and keep them safe from damage.
