Can ceramic pans go in the oven? Great question! Many fry pans are oven-safe, to an extent. There is not a specific degree of heat that all fry pans can handle.
For example, Teflon fry pans (or fry pans with PTFE) are not oven-safe. They can not even handle high temperatures on the stovetop because they may release harmful fumes.
You may have heard that ceramic fry pans should not be used on high heat on the stovetop, and you are right! If you shouldn’t use your ceramic at a high temperature, how can you use it in your oven? So, are ceramic pans oven safe?
Ceramic pans vary on their oven-safeness. It depends on many variables to determine if your ceramic pan can go in the oven. Keep reading to learn which ceramic pans are oven-safe and what makes them that way! Also, learn how to determine if your ceramic pans can go in the oven!
Which Ceramic Pans are Oven Safe and Why?
Oven-Safe Brands and Materials
Most newer ceramic designs are oven-safe. Each brand of ceramic cookware has a different temperature threshold because of varying materials, accessories, and durability.
The following ceramic pans are the most common oven-safe ceramic pans:
- Bialetti Ceramic Pro Hard Anodized: 440 F
- GreenPan: temperature varies depending on the collection
- Caraway Ceramic Fry Pan: 550 F
- Xtrema 100% Ceramic: 2500 F
- Vesuvio by DaTerra: 440 F
- T-Fal Initiatives Aluminum/Ceramic Nonstick Cookware: 350 F
- Farberware Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan: 350 F
- Blue Diamond Ceramic Fry Pan: 600 F
- Neoflam Midas Ceramic Nonstick: 455 F
Why Are They Oven Safe?
The reason that so many ceramic fry pans are oven-safe is because of their materials. The internal material can make a nonstick ceramic pan oven-safe. With internal materials, such as stainless steel, copper, cast iron, and aluminum. The best oven-safe ceramic pan by far is the ceramic pans made of 100% ceramic. One hundred percent ceramic fry pans can withstand temperatures up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Not only does the internal structure determine a pan’s ability to be used in the oven, but also the accessories. The glass lid, panhandles, and design can affect the temperatures it can withstand.
Ceramic pans with glass lids can withstand oven temperatures; however, they can not handle extreme temperature changes. Moving from a hot oven to a cold refrigerator or from cold water to an oven can cause long-lasting damages. Extreme temperature changes can crack or shatter your glass lid, and it can deteriorate the nonstick properties of your ceramic fry pan.
Why are Some Ceramic Pans Not Oven Safe?
The Design
Each ceramic pan is made to look different and to provide different outcomes. Some ceramic fry pans come in many different colors or they are decorated with designs and patterns. While a decorative fry pan can be pleasing to look at, it can affect the pan’s temperature capabilities.
Ceramic pans decorated with adhesive patterns may be ruined by the high temperatures of the oven. After being used in the oven, these decorative designs may peel and make your ceramic pan look weathered and damaged.
Likewise, ceramic pans glazed with colors and decorations will fade over time if used in the oven improperly. The oven temperatures can discolor your ceramic pan.
Many fry pans come accompanied with handles. Depending on the handle’s material, it may not be able to handle the oven’s temperatures. Ceramic pans with wooden handles can experience warp and split, especially if the handle is attached via glue.
The Surface
The newer models and designs of ceramic pans are typically oven-safe; however, many older ceramic pans are not oven-safe. The nonstick surface is more likely to deteriorate faster on an older pan.
As with the stovetop, the high temperature of the oven weakens the nonstick surface. Over time, your ceramic pan will lose its nonstick surface (even if you take care of it). Putting a ceramic pan in the oven for a prolonged time can shorten its lifespan.
How to Know If Your Ceramic Pan is Oven Safe?
Consider the Material
Ceramic pans that are made of 100% ceramic can go in the oven at both high temperatures and low temperatures. Pans that consist of only ceramic material can handle up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because ceramics are created by using molds, fire, and a kiln. By firing ceramic pots and pans at high heat, workers can create all-natural, toxin-free cookware. If you know for a fact that your pan is one hundred percent all-ceramic, it is oven-safe.
Look for Clues
Oftentimes, you can do some deducing to know if your ceramic pan is oven-safe. First and foremost, look for an oven-safe symbol. An oven-safe symbol is usually found on the bottom of the pan. It is a picture that depicts a bowl in a square surrounded by waves (to imitate the oven heat). There are also freezer-safe, dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and food-safe symbols that can be found as well.
If your ceramic pan does not have any specialty symbols, try to find your instruction manual. Manuals should have care instructions, cleaning instructions, stovetop restrictions, and oven safety.
You can also find this information on the ceramic pan’s cookware website and through customer service. As long as you know the brand name, you can call and have someone directly tell you!
Consider the Additional Features
However, there may be parts of your ceramic pan that are not oven-safe. For example, the internal structure of your ceramic pan may be oven-safe but the additional features may not be oven-safe.
Look at the handles, surface, knobs, and lids. Handles can be made of plastic, silicone, Bakelite, wood, or stainless steel. Each of these materials endures a different level of heat. Your pan may be able to withstand up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, but your handles only up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. So, your pan would only be oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is crucial to use the lowest temperature.
In Summary
Most modern ceramic pans are oven-safe; however, they often differ in temperature tolerance. It is best to always check the cookware companies instructions before using your ceramic pan in the oven.
Many variables determine if your ceramic pan is oven-safe. Variables such as decorations, glazes, materials, and additional features. You can check your ceramic pan’s materials through the cookware website, instruction manual, or customer service.
If you are planning on using your ceramic pan in the oven often, then you have two major choices. Choose a 100% ceramic pan or choose a modern ceramic pan with stainless steel handles.
Did this article help you? Do you use your ceramic pan in the oven? Let us know what you think!
