Can You Put a Frying Pan in the Oven? (Here’s Why)

Yes, you can put a frying pan in the oven, but it must be made of ovenproof materials without any components that can melt or break at high temperatures.

Key Highlights:

• You can put some frying pans in the oven if they’re made of the right materials.
• Check for an oven-safe symbol or text on the pan’s bottom.
• Look out for handles and lids that can handle oven heat.
• Ceramic and metal pans are usually safe for the oven.
• Nonstick coatings may have temperature limits, so check them.

When you’re using the same cookware to prepare food on the stove and in the oven, a question arises in our mind, is it safe to put a regular frying pan in the oven?

Can You Put a Frying Pan in the Oven?

Yes, you can, but not for all types of frying pans. It’s because there are a variety of construction materials for frying pans. You may find some cookware that cannot go into the oven, while others can endure the oven temperatures up to 500-degrees Fahrenheit or even more.

Before putting your pan in the oven, you need to ensure that you’re using an oven-safe frying pan. To make sure it is whether ovenproof or not, check a symbol or text at the bottom of the pan.

You’ll know either you can use the cookware in the oven, or you need to consult the experts to identify the maximum tolerable temperature.

You’ll find a lot of options made of a variety of materials while choosing a good quality frying pan in the market.

Typically, ceramic and metal pans are oven safe. If they have nonstick coatings, then it may be either safe or unsafe. In this article, we’re going to talk about this topic below to clear all your confusions.

What kind of frying pan can go in the oven?

Stainless steel, cast iron, copper, and carbon steel frying pans are oven-safe up to 500°F, while non-stick pans are generally safe up to 450°F, but avoid using PTFE-coated pans above 500°F.

What Makes a Frying Pan Oven-Safe?

Everybody knows that some cookware is oven-safe and some aren’t. To check yours, look at it, stroke the handle, and lick the lining. Have you found anything which may melt, burn, crackle, or peel off? If no, then your cookware is oven-safe.

1. Ovenproof Cookware Materials

The frying pans made of cast iron, copper, ceramic, aluminum, stainless steel, or a combination of two materials are ovenproof. But, the tolerable temperature might be different from one another. If you want to use your cookware safely in an oven, all components of your pan must be oven-safe.

The oven-safe frying pan shouldn’t have a knob, handle, or any other components that could break or melt when it comes in contact with high temperatures in an oven.

2. Ovenproof Coatings

Teflon nonstick coatings can release toxic fumes when exposed to a temperature higher than 500-degrees Fahrenheit. So, you shouldn’t use the cookware made of Teflon coating in the oven. Besides, you can use other types of coatings, but within the recommended temperature.

Ceramic nonstick coatings are oven-safe between 420 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, while most of the enameled cookware can tolerate oven temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

The layer of seasoning in a cast iron pan and all-clad cookware with the nonstick coating is oven-safe up to 500 degrees.

3. Ovenproof Handles

Handles are one of the parts that usually limits its exposure to high oven temperatures. If the handle of your frying pan has a protective coating, you can comfortably use it in the oven. But, if the handle is made of plastic, wood, or other intolerable materials, you should avoid using your frying pan in the oven.

Silicone insulated handles can resist temperatures from 350 to 482 degrees Fahrenheit. Some silicone handles may have rubber-made sleeves. Therefore, when you’re going to put the pan into the oven, you have to take the cover off. Keep in mind that you can purchase these covers separately, and one cover can fit plenty of frying pans.

Using a bakelite handle is safe under 350 degrees Fahrenheit, while cast iron and stainless steel withstand the oven heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you have a frying pan that comes with a detachable handle, you can cook in the oven without worrying about damaging it.

4. Ovenproof Lids

If you want to put your frying pan with the lid, you need to know how much temperature the lids resist. A glass lid can withstand in the oven up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. But, you have to make sure that there are no other questionable components that may melt or break.

Some lids have plastic knobs, and their use in the oven is not safe. When you’re cooking on the cookstove, plastic knobs ensure protection from burning your hands. But, when it comes to using in the oven, they get melted and don’t provide you with enough safety.

To make your lid oven-safe, you need to buy a lid that comes with stainless steel knobs. Although they get hot during cooking, they make sure protection when you’re cooking something in the oven. For additional safety, use a potholder or oven mitt to protect your hands from burning.

How do I know if my frying pan is oven safe?

Before putting a frying pan into an oven, it is essential to make sure that your pan is cable of withstanding the temperature that is usually created in an oven or not. Hence, you can easily ensure this fact by checking the sticker on your pan’s body or reading the user manual of that pan.

If you have already torn off the stickers or have lost your pan’s manual, then go to the internet and search for your specific pan model. You’ll get digital manuals of your pan. Even if your pan belongs to older models, you’ll easily find them on the internet or can ask the manufacturer for product details and specifications on their website.

Is Cast Iron Frying Pan Oven Safe?

Yes, cast iron frying pans are oven safe. They can withstand the oven temperature. But non-enameled cast iron pan can react with acidic food, which may sometimes prove harmful to us. So, to be safe, it’s best to use an enameled frying pan for the oven.

Is Stainless Steel Frying Pan Oven Safe?

Yes, frying pans made of stainless steel are oven safe. Cookware made of stainless steel is among the best option, which is convenient to use in an oven. Stainless steel pans are lighter than cast iron pans and can distribute heat more evenly and firmly.

Is Non-Stick Frying Pan Oven Safe?

Yes, non-stick frying pans are oven safe. They come with heat safety features that make them withstand high temperatures. But some not-stick frying pan comes with a plastic handle and PTFE lid knob, which can get affected by oven temperature. So, before putting your non-stick frying pan in the oven, check the materials of your panhandle and lid knob.

Is Aluminum Frying Pan Oven Safe?

It depends. Usually, Aluminum is a reactive material with less heat retention capability than stainless steel. Therefore, frying pans made of Aluminum usually come with a composition of Aluminum with other metals or special coatings. Besides, they can also be made of hard-anodized Aluminum.

Frying pans made of hard anodized Aluminum with non-stick coatings are oven safe. But if they have PTFE covering, you can’t put them into the oven for heated up over 570 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is Copper Frying Pan Oven Safe?

Copper frying pans are oven safe, but they can also react with acidic food. However, copper frying pans conduct and retain heat firmly. So, you can use them for both oven and stove. As copper frying pans seem a little pricey, you can use the frying that only comes with a copper bottom.

Is Ceramic Frying Pan Oven Safe?

Since ceramic is a nonreactive metal and can withstand high temperatures, ceramic frying pans are always oven safe. They are optimal for both ovens and stoves.

Final Words

Ovenproof frying pans are suitable for recipes that require slow, long cooking, such as braised meat and pot roasts.

As these recipes need even cooking, you have to use the frying pan in the oven rather than placing it on the stovetop.

You may also find some other recipes that are started on the burner and completed in the oven. Hence, it’s important to check that your frying pan is ovenproof.