One of the best ways to check if your frying pan is suitable to use in an oven is to look at the pan’s user guide, packaging, catalog, or sleeve.
This will provide you with more detailed information on what temperatures each type of pan can withstand in the oven.
If you don’t have this information anymore, another way is to look at its base. Some oven-proof frying pans might have an oven symbol or text that indicates that it is oven-proof.
But not all.
So, in this article, we’ll look at whether you can use all the parts of a frying pan in the oven.
We’ll also go over the different types of oven-safe frying pans and answer any questions you might have.
How To Tell If a Frying Pan Is Oven-Safe?
You can use most skillets and frying pans in the oven.
The highest temperature of an oven you can use varies depending on the brand of the frying pan. The type of metal a frying pan is made of makes a difference in whether or not it is oven-safe.
Pan Oven Safe Comparison Chart
| Product | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Cast Iron |  | | ||
| Seasoned Cast Iron | | | ||
| Enamled Cast Iron | | | ||
| Stainless Steel | | | ||
| Carbon Steel | | | ||
| Copper | | | If stainless steel lined, 500 to 600°F | |
| Hard-Anodized Aluminum | |  | If Teflon coating, up to 500°F | |
| Ceramic Coating | | | ||
| Teflon Coating | | | ||
| Silicone Handles | | | ||
| Metal Handles | | | ||
| Wooden Handles | | | ||
| Phenolic Resin Handles | | | ||
| Bakelite Handles | | | ||
| Tempered Glass | | |
Things to Consider When Determining If a Frying Pan Is Oven-Safe
To see if a frying pan is completely oven-safe, be sure to check if all of the frying pan’s parts can endure an oven’s high temperatures.
The materials used to make the frying pan, the coating on the frying pan’s surface, the frying pan’s handles, and the lid are all parts to check.
1. What Is the Material of the Pan?
The first thing to consider when selecting a frying pan is whether or not the materials of the pan are oven safe. Carbon steel, cast iron, stainless steel, and copper are common materials for oven-safe cookware. Hard anodized aluminum on the other hand needs more clarification.
Let’s look at the overall heat resistance of the various types of pans now that we’ve gone over the key components that make up a pan.
Is it Safe to Use Cast Iron Pans and Skillets in the Oven?
A cast iron pan or skillet is safe to use in the oven:
- Bare cast iron skillets can endure temperatures higher than 500 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven.
- On the other hand, enamel cast-iron cookware can reach temperatures of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.(1)
Plus, cast iron is excellent at heat retention because it’s made thick. This is the reason why cast iron is frequently used to bake apples pies or cornbread for instance.
Is it Safe to Use Stainless Steel Frying Pans in the Oven?
The stainless steel pan is oven-safe.
Depending on the brand of stainless steel frying pan you buy, oven temperatures can range between 500 degrees Fahrenheit to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
So if you want to finish your mac & cheese in the oven, stainless steel is the perfect pan.
Stainless steel pans are also broiler safe.
Is it Safe to Use Carbon Steel Frying Pans in the Oven?
Yes, it’s perfectly safe to use a carbon steel pan in the oven.
A carbon steel pan can move from the oven to the stovetop to the broiler to the grill without causing damage. This means you can use it to sear steak or chicken on the stovetop before transferring it to the oven.
Plus, in the oven, as the temperature varies, the carbon frying pan adjusts quickly to the heat, allowing you to cook or bake with precision.
For high heat temperatures, carbon steel combined with cast iron is the ideal choice. An impressive carbon steel frying pan is from Made in Cookware. This frying pan is oven-safe up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is it Safe to Use Copper Frying Pans in the Oven?
Like any other all-metal pan, you can use your copper pan in the oven.
However, you may want to check its lining. If lined with tin, you should know that tin can melt if heated at 425°F or higher. If this happens, the pan must be retinned.(2)
If your copper pan is lined with stainless steel, you won’t have any problems since stainless steel is high heat resistant.
Is it Safe to Use Hard Anodized Aluminum Frying Pans in the Oven?
Yes, it’s safe but only up to a certain temperature.
Almost all hard-anodized aluminum pans have a non-stick coating made from either Teflon (PTFE) or ceramic.
So oven-safe temperatures for anodized aluminum pans will vary from pan to pan, depending on the coating or the brand.
So, let’s study the temperatures that can withstand both Teflon or ceramic coating.
2. What is The Coating of The Pan?
The two most common types of non-stick coating are Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) and ceramic.
Is it Safe to Use Teflon Non Stick Frying Pans in the Oven?
You can usually use Teflon frying pans in the oven, but not for oven temperatures higher than 500 degrees Fahrenheit(3).
At these temperatures, Teflon begins to deteriorate and emit toxic fumes in temperatures higher than specified(4). These fumes are harmful for both animals and humans and can cause the Teflon flu.
Is it Safe to Use Ceramic Frying Pans in the Oven?
Ceramic frying pans are non-stick metal pans that have been coated with sol-gel. Unlike Teflon pans, ceramic pans’ non-stick properties begin to deteriorate above 662°F.
So most all ceramic cookware can go in the oven. Caraway, for example, is oven-safe up to 550°Fahrenheit
One thing to keep in mind is that ceramic-coated cookware should never go from hot to cold. Sudden temperature changes can result in your ceramic frying pan warping or the coating cracking.
3. Are Frying Pan Handles Oven-Proof?
The handles of a frying pan are usually responsible for their inability to be used in the oven.
- Most silicone food-grade utensils can carry heat well, so they’re suitable for oven cookware. This includes silicone handles as well as silicone rubber. However, they’re oven-safe up to a medium-high heat setting between 380 degrees Fahrenheit to 428 degrees Fahrenheit. Above this temperature, the silicone can melt (5). Plus they tend to discolor and become damaged after enduring high oven temperatures. Though, some brands allow the use of silicone rubber in the oven up to 450°F.
- Metal handles are ideal for frying pans. Oven-safe metal handles include cast-iron and stainless steel. These handles can tolerate high heat temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Don’t put wooden-handled pans in the oven—they can splinter and make the pan dangerous to handle. A wooden handle begins to warp when it reaches 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Wood begins to decompose between 380 Fahrenheit and 400 Fahrenheit. Toxic combustion gases are released as the pyrolysis process progresses (6). Plus it can create a fire hazard.(7)
- Phenolic resin handles keep cool while cooking on the stove. Depending on the brand, you can use them in the oven up to 350°F.
- You can use a pan with plastic bakelite handles in the oven. Simply make sure they haven’t any added trims. And do not exceed a temperature of 350°F and a maximum period of time of one hour.
Are Frying Pan Handles Detachable?
Many new frying pans include detachable handles that allow you to move your cooking from the stove to the oven. This is a clever and handy option since you can easily detach the handle before you close the oven to make your metal frying pan oven-safe.
Amazon has a wide range of cookware from various brands that have detachable handles and replacement handles.
4. Are Frying Pan Lids Oven-Proof?
When baking in a frying pan, the last thing you want is for the glass lid to break. Always check to see if you can use the glass lid in the oven.
Tempered glass lids can withstand temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. But beware! Many frying pan lids include knobs, which make them less heat resistant depending on their materials.
Always, check with the manufacturer to see if the pan lids are oven safe.
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FAQs
Are All Frying Pans and Skillets Broiler Safe?
No, not all frying pans can be used in the broiler. In an oven broiler, cast iron skillets, carbon steel frying pans, and some stainless steel pans are safe to use.
Always check the manufacturer’s manual or website to ensure your frying pan and handle are oven-broiler safe.
Why Is My Stainless Steel Pan Discolored After Using It in the Oven?
This is because of the chromium in the alloy of stainless steel. The protective layer on the pan forms when chromium reacts with air. The oxidized layer thickens and makes the pan discolored as it is heated up.
But the performance of your pan will not be affected. Vinegar or a stainless steel cleaner, such as Bar Keeper’s Friend, will easily remove it.
How it All Pans Out in the End
The simplest way to tell if your pan is oven safe is to look in the pan’s user guide.
In an oven, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, cast iron pans, and carbon steel frying pans are all safe. If any of these pans contain silicone or wooden handles, you should not use them in the oven. Plus, most pan lids are made from tempered glass and are safe to use in the oven up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
There is some non-stick and ceramic cookware that you should not use in the oven above 500°F.
Simply keep in mind that oven temperatures vary depending on the brand. And of course, always check the manufacturer’s guidelines to see if you may use your frying pan in the oven.
About the Author
Since always, I am passionate about food; I enjoy writing and want to share my passion and offer quality articles to my readers. On Homekitchenland, I like to research, review, and compare kitchen appliances, write product reviews, and develop recipes.
