Many people around the world use stainless steel cookware in their home kitchens. Due to its versatility, a lot of restaurant owners also allow these pans to cook plenty of delicious dishes. An excellent piece of budget-friendly stainless steel cookware is durable and somewhat safe for your health.
Besides that, it has been gradually improving its quality. You will also see that today’s stainless steel cookware provides the users with a shiny appearance so that they can be attractive to the cookware. It’s also dent and stain-resistant, so you’ll be able to use it for years.
Now, plenty of people are feeling confused, whether they can use stainless steel pans in the oven or not. You may also be bewildered about this issue. That’s why we’re here to help you find out the fact. We hope you’ll be connected with us until the end of this article.
Types of Stainless Steel Pans
A variety of kitchen items, such as pans, pots, bowls, bakeware, and spoons, are made of stainless steel. It usually comes with a variety of types, for example, 200 series, 300 series, 400 series, etc. So, let’s have a look at these series below.
- 200 series
- 300 Series
- 400 Series
1. 200 Series
The 200 series stainless steel cookware is not a high-quality kitchen item because it can rust and also non-magnetic. In this series, manufacturers use manganese instead of nickel. That’s because it’s much cheaper. This series is considered as a safe option for the users, but not recommended for using in the oven.
2. 300 Series
There are two types of stainless steel pans in this series: 304 stainless steel and 316 stainless steel. Let’s check out them below.
304 Stainless Steel
304 stainless steel is one of the common types of stainless steel mostly used in the kitchen all over the world. It includes 18/8 and 18/10 numbers that you may have noticed on stainless steel cookware. You may also have wondered what those are, so let’s explain to you.
The first number means the amount of chromium. And the second number refers to the amount of nickel. For instance, 18/8 stainless steel represents the cookware has 18 percent of chromium and 8 percent of nickel in its main components.
316 Stainless Steel
Apart from chromium and nickel, the 316 stainless steel contains a small amount of molybdenum. It’s composed of around 16 to 18% chromium, 10 to 14% nickel, and 2% molybdenum. Although it’s more resistant to corrosion, it’s more expensive than other types of stainless steel.
The 316 stainless steel is also called marine stainless steel. Thanks to high exposure to extreme saltwater erosion, marine environments require a higher resistance to corrosion.
3. 400 Series
Now, we’re going to check out the 400 series. Most surprisingly, the 400 series stainless steel hardly consumes any nickel. It includes 18/0 stainless steel, which means it has 18% chromium and 0% nickel.
You may find some people who have allergies. Therefore, they’re looking for nickel-free cookware and flatware. But, remember that flatware made with 18/0 stainless steel won’t be corrosion-resistant and shiny for years.
You should keep one thing in mind that the 400 series is said that it doesn’t contain any nickel. But, the truth is you can find a negligible 0.75% of nickel in its components. So, you cannot consider it 100% nickel-free cookware.
What Happens If You Put a Stainless Steel Pan in the Oven?
Heating to 250-260 degrees, such dishes will withstand; higher, as a rule, is unnecessary. The only thing that needs to be considered is the so-called thermal shock – a sharp temperature drop. If you heat the oven and put dishes with cold contents in them, the container may deform. Besides, any dishes can quickly become covered with carbon deposits in the oven. You should take this into account.
Can Stainless Steel Pans Go in the Oven?
Yes, unless expressly stated or prohibited by the manufacturer, you can put stainless steel cookware in the oven. Stainless steel is a strong, heat-resistant, and chemically inert material. Of course, if there are plastic parts or rubber insulation, then you can’t put them.
However, you can put your pans in the oven in 500-degree F if the handles are made of stainless steel. But, if the handles have any parts made of phenolic or silicone, then your cookware can go in the oven up to 350-degree F.
How to Know if My Stainless Steel Pans are Oven Safe
When it comes to pans, you need to consider the pans can endure the higher temperature in the oven. We almost assume that most of your pans are good to go unless the manufacturer’s data explicitly says not to put it in the oven.
Besides, You want to be aware of any extraneous materials, such as rubber tops, at the end of your handle. If you are concerned, check your manufacturer’s data once again to see if any of these rubber handles wouldn’t be good to go into the oven.
Why Should You Use Stainless Steel cookware in Your Oven?
- Long service life: If we start from the performance characteristics, stainless steel is the most profitable material, so the pans made from it are preserved in excellent quality for many years.
- Corrosion resistance: High-quality stainless steel can resist the harmful effects of corrosion not only under normal atmospheric conditions but also in alkalis, acids, and other aggressive environments.
- Eco-friendly and hygienic: Stainless steel has long been used as the most suitable surface for cooking and processing food. The material has no pores or cracks where bacteria could enter. At the same time, stainless steel is easy to clean.
- Strength characteristics: Stainless steel cookware has less thickness, while the strength remains the same. Their strength is determined by the properties and characteristics of the material. For example, low temperatures will not affect the strength of duplex and austenitic steel grades.
- Aesthetic look: The cookware looks more modern and beautiful, as the stainless steel surface is shiny and bright. Stainless steel cookware doesn’t lose its glossy appearance even after long use.
When Is It Okay to Put Stainless Steel in the Oven?
Stainless steel cookware is generally oven-safe. As a general rule of thumb, most stainless steel frying pans can withstand 500-600°F, depending on the make and the model. But to cook with stainless steel cookware safely in the oven, you need to be aware of some precautions:
- The handle of stainless steel cookware is a crucial factor to notice. You can put stainless steel pans and pots in the oven, but cookware with wood or silicone handles is not oven-friendly. So, don’t buy stainless steel pans and pots with wooden handles because cooking vessels with wooden handles aren’t oven safe. You can only use them on the stove.
- The same can’t be said about baking silicone. Baking silicone is heat-resistant and oven-safe at temperatures up to 428°F (220°C). Cookware with baking silicone handles made of stainless steel can be used in the oven up to a specific temperature.
- It’s best to avoid low-grade stainless steel. Poor-grade stainless steel can leak heavy metals into your food because manufacturers employ cheap alloy combinations. Also, extreme heat could cause them to crack or bend.
How to Wipe Burnt Oil Off Stainless Steel Pan
In addition, if you use your frying pan in the oven, cooking oil or leftovers will likely burn on the surface. That means you have to extra clean the pan after cooking to get it spotless again.
Here are three simple and effective methods you can use today to clean burnt-on food or cooking oil from your stainless steel skillet.
Boil Water and Dish Soap for 5 Minutes
Pour tap water and a squirt of dish soap into your frying pan. The cleaning solution can be brought to a boil on the stovetop over medium heat.
Leave them in for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Try scrubbing the burns in your stainless steel pan with dish soap and a soft sponge.
Use Sea Salt
Fill your stainless steel pan with enough water to cover the cooking surface where burns occur. Put it on the stove and turn the heat up to medium-high so it may come to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add 3- tablespoons of sea salt crystals, allow to boil for 1-2 minutes, then turn off the heat.
Allow the pan to cool and rest in the salted water for about 2 hours. Afterward, empty the water from the pan and scrub the burns and stains with soapy water.
Use Baking Powder
Combine baking soda and water to form a paste for cleaning. Apply the paste to the cooking surface where there is a burn or stain and leave on for about 2 hours.
After the time has elapsed, you can remove the stains and burns by hand with a soft sponge and soapy water. Choosing the right pans and pots is just as important as choosing the right cooking method. And when it comes to cooking methods, stainless steel is one of the most versatile cookware in your cabinets.
Conclusion
High-quality pans usually come with oven-safe lids and handles. You only need to make sure that the handles are accurately attached with screws and rivets. However, if you want to make food in the oven, then you need to purchase such stainless steel pans that you can use in your oven at home.