Yes, we get it! So many recipes want us to stick the skillet in the oven. Nonstick, being the home chef’s preferred choice for cooking on the stovetop, the question also arises should we put our nonstick pans in the oven?
Newly produced nonstick pans are mostly oven-safe, but the reality is not all nonstick pans are created equal. If by mistake you put a nonstick pan in an oven that was not oven-safe, you may end up with a melted handle, toxic fumes, or spoiled food.
You shouldn’t miss our tested recommendations for the best non stick pans without Teflon and our top picks for the best ceramic nonstick pans.
Are Nonstick Pans Oven Safe?
As a general rule, nonstick pans are not manufactured to bear the brunt of high temperature and things can get hot in the oven.
So, how to determine your nonstick oven’s safety?
Let’s simplify and break it into three factors that can determine if the pan is oven safe or not.
- Read the manufacturer’s label
- Check its temperature endurance (An important point that shouldn’t be missed).
- Check the pan’s handle
Read the Manufacturer’s Label
The first and foremost step is to check the manufacturer’s label for oven safety. You can either find the oven-safe symbol at the bottom of the pan or check it on the user manual. If the pan is old or you can’t find the manual, then check on Amazon or the brand’s website.
Check its Temperature Endurance
As mentioned above, nonstick pans are not designed for high-heat cooking. You can cook on low, medium, or medium-high heat in nonstick pans.
Usually, you can find the pan’s temperature endurance on the user manual. Most oven-safe nonstick pans can withstand 325-500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why is it important to check the temperature?
If you just see the label “oven-safe” and shove it in the oven at a temperature higher than the recommended setting by the manufacturer, you are making a blunder. It can result in toxic fumes, ruined pan, or worse, ruined food. (Yes, a foodie’s worst nightmare!).
Things get interesting here:
- 325- 350 degrees Fahrenheit is considered moderately slow heat. (With 325 degrees considered warm and 350 degrees considered moderate)
- 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit is a moderate oven temperature.
- 375 – 400 degrees Fahrenheit is moderate hot
- 400 – 500 degrees Fahrenheit is hot.
Now, if your recipe calls for medium or high heat, a pan that can withstand 325 or 350 degrees is useless. Or we can say it is not oven safe for that particular recipe. The lowest temperature 325-350 degrees Fahrenheit is either to keep your food warm or for slow roasting, braising.
So, we recommend you to always buy the best non stick pan for high heat unless you don’t ever put a nonstick pan in the oven.
Check the Pan’s Handle
Another decisive factor in evaluating the pan’s oven safety is its handle. Stainless steel or Aluminum handles can go in the oven without any problem.
Silicone handles or covering can withstand up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also buy a removable silicone handle covering that can fit various pans. Bakelite handles can endure up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
But let’s list down some handle material that can’t be put into the oven.
- Plastic
- Rubber
- Wood
Some new models now offer detachable handles to make it microwave oven safe, which is a huge plus point and beneficial for home chefs. You can simply detach the handle, place the nonstick in the oven and attach handles again once you are done cooking.
Don’t Forget Pan’s Lid
Another thing to keep in mind is to check the lid and all its parts. Usually, a lid accompanied by a pan is oven-proof unless it doesn’t have a knob that is not oven-proof such as a plastic knob that can melt in the oven.
As opposed to plastic ones, phenolic knobs can resist heat up to 375°F. Above that temperature, the knob can melt or warp.
A stainless steel knob is oven-safe, and you can replace the plastic part with a stainless steel knob to make it safe to use in the oven.
Nonstick Pan Safety ANSWERS
FAQs
Are Teflon Pans Oven Safe?
The nonstick coating is usually of two types ceramic or Teflon. Teflon coating starts to disintegrate at 500°F and can release toxic fumes. So, care should be taken when you put the Teflon pans in the oven and keep an eye on the temperature that shouldn’t exceed its limit. You may also like to check out our recommendations for the oven safe and the best non stick pan without Teflon.
Can I Use a Nonstick Pan on Broiler Setting?
No nonstick pan can ever be used on broiler settings, even if it’s marked as “oven-safe.” Broiler means high heat cooking near the heating element of the oven (usually at the top).
Now the interesting part is,
The broiler functions at 100% power, and the heating element’s temperature can reach up to 1300 degrees Fahrenheit. Since, we place the food near the heating element so the pan can also get exceedingly hot, way above the safe temperature range determined by the pan’s manufacturer. It’s the reason you can’t use a broiler setting to cook food in a nonstick pan.
How Do You Know If Your Pan is Oven-Safe?
The pan’s material determines its oven safety. Stainless steel, cast iron skillets, copper, aluminum are oven-safe unless otherwise mentioned in the manual. Nonstick pots and pans have their oven-safe marking mentioned, along with their maximum heat-resistant temperature in the manual.
All the pan’s components, including the lid and the handle, should also be oven safe.
Are Calphalon Nonstick Pans Oven-safe?
Yes, Calphalon nonstick pans are oven-safe. Their maximum temperature endurance depends on the model of the non-stick pan. Calphalon pans come with glass lids that are also oven safe. However, if the pan’s lid can resist temperature up to 400°F whereas the pan is mentioned to withstand temperature up to 450°F degrees, you should use the pan on low 400°F.
What Happens if You Put a Non-oven-Safe Pan in the Oven?
If you put a non-oven-safe pan in the oven, it can warp, or the handle can melt. Also, the pan can emit toxic fumes that can be lethal. In the case of a nonstick pan, if it’s not oven safe, the coating can disintegrate in the oven and the chemicals can leach into the food, contaminating it.
Wrapping Up!
Nonstick pans require more care than cast iron or stainless skillets. Just like dishwasher-safe nonstick pans, oven-safe nonstick skillets also require watchful observance. Don’t exceed the temperature limit mentioned by the manufacturer, and don’t use them on broiler settings. Also, check all its components to ensure their oven safety, and you are good to go to transfer your food from stove tops to the oven.
