There are many situations where you might want to transfer a pot or pan from the stovetop to the oven. Unfortunately, not all cookware that’s suitable for a stove can be used in an oven safely.
There are many advantages to having stainless steel cookware in your kitchen, but you may be wondering “Can I put a stainless steel pan in the oven?”
The answer isn’t as straightforward as it would seem. And, making a mistake could ruin your oven, set off the fire alarm, or just spoil your dinner.
Luckily, the more you know about which cookware is oven safe, the more you can relax in the kitchen. So, keep reading to learn what you need to know about stainless steel pans and ovens.
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Advantages Of Using Stainless Steel Pans
Stainless steel pots and pans are favored among chefs all over the world, especially as they are highly durable. Unlike most nonstick pans, stainless steel pans can last for years if they are well cared for.
Although nonstick is particularly helpful when it comes to cooking delicate foods like eggs, they don’t seem to be as long-lasting.
Stainless steel pans are also exceptional at handling high heat. Nonstick pans in comparison don’t even come close, as the coating on nonstick pans isn’t suited for high heat situations.
This is especially noticeable on stainless steel pans that have heavy bottoms, as the heat is distributed evenly and quickly, which helps maintain the high temperatures.
This makes stainless steel pans perfect for searing meats like steak.
The ability of stainless steel cookware to be able handle high heat makes it a likely candidate for oven use. But there are a few things you need to know before moving your stainless steel pan to the oven.
Stainless Steel And Oven Safety
If you’re only talking about the stainless steel itself, then stainless steel cookware is perfectly safe to put in the oven thanks to its high heat capabilities. However, some stainless steel cookware includes other elements besides the steel.
First, you need to check the handles of your steel pots and pans. Quite often their handles will be made from a variety of different handles, such as wood or plastic.
Although these materials are convenient when it comes to cooking on a stove top, they shouldn’t be placed in the oven. Plastic handles will melt from the high heat, and the extreme temperatures can cause wooden handles to split.
Second, you need to inspect the lid. Some stainless steel pans come with tempered glass lids. Depending on the manufacturer, these lids are usually oven safe, but at limited temperatures. So, it’s important to check before you put them in the oven. Glass lids will often have maximum temperatures that fall below 400 degrees.
In contrast, cookware which is made entirely from stainless steel is generally safe to use in the oven for temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you’re using high quality stainless steel, these pans are usually thicker, which makes them even better at handling heat.
What Are Some Ovenproof Pan Options?
It’s always best to check manufacturer recommendations before using any of your cookware in the oven. However, if you are unable to find the packaging, or you do not know the exact model to look up what the manufacturer recommends, you can always use different cookware.
For instance, copper and cast iron are both oven safe materials. Although they require more specialized care in comparison to stainless steel, they are able to safely handle oven temperatures.
As noted, stainless steel pans are perfectly safe to use – unless they have wooden or plastic handles. Other ovenproof materials include ceramics (but not glazed ceramics), oven safe glass, and silicone.
Some plastics may also be able to withstand the heat of an oven, however, it can be difficult to identify which plastics can and they usually can’t be placed in the oven.
Similarly, wood shouldn’t be used in the oven as it’s likely to warp, burn, and crack.
What Happens If You Place The Wrong Pan In The Oven?
The answer to this question entirely depends on whether or not your pan is oven safe or not.
If you use a frying pan that isn’t able to withstand the heat from an oven, then there is a high chance that the pan will become damaged, and your food will be inedible.
Most commonly, people mistake stainless steel pans with plastic handles as oven safe. When exposed to the intense heat of the oven, the handles melt.
If a pan is oven safe, then there’s no need to worry about ruining your food or pan (or oven). As noted, most oven-safe pans are made from cast iron or stainless steel, and will usually have bare metal handles.
Because of this, it’s important that you watch out for the heat when removing your pan from the oven.
Most chefs will use a pot holder, kitchen towel, or similar tool to move their pans in and out of the oven, or when using them on the stove top. This avoids burning your hand on the metal handle.
Final Thoughts
As long as your stainless steel pans have bare metal handles – as in the handles aren’t made from wood or plastic – your pan should be perfectly safe to place in the oven.
However, it is important that you check the manufacturer’s advice before doing so.
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