Can you put stainless steel in the oven?

In this article, we will answer the question “Can you put stainless steel in the oven?”, and how to bake in stainless steel bowls?

Can you put stainless steel in the oven?

Yes, you can put stainless steel in the oven. However, there are a number of safety precautions that you must take before doing so. 

First of all, you need to pay attention to the material of the handle of stainless steel pans. These are often made of wood to make them safe for stovetop. The wood will break when subjected to high temperatures of the oven.

The second important thing is the lid, which is often made of tempered glass which can withstand oven temperature If the label says so and that too below 450℉ only. High-quality pans made entirely of stainless steel are oven safe up to 500℉ in the oven.

Stainless steel pan advantages

  • Well-maintained and high-quality stainless steel pans can last a lifetime. While non-stick pans might be a better choice for cooking delicate foods including eggs and fish, they are highly vulnerable to scratches, dents, and chips.
  • Unlike aluminum and copper, stainless steel is inert which means It won’t react If you simmer something acidic in it or subject it to high heat.
  • Stainless steel can withstand high temperatures as compared to non-stick cookware whose coating doe not have a high-temperature tolerance.

Ovenproof pan options 

Always refer to the recommendations of the manufacturer before using stainless steel in the oven. Otherwise, cast iron and copper cookware are safe to be used in home ovens.

How to bake in stainless steel bowls?

Bake in stainless steel pans like you would in other pans. First, grease the bowl generously with shortening, oil, or butter followed by dusting it with some flour. 

Add the batter or dough and bake at temperatures lower than 500℉. Add 5 minutes extra cooking time to the time directed in the recipe.

For cooking vegetables, toss them in the stainless steel bowl with shortening, oil, or butter and bake till crispy at 350℉.

What kind of bowls is oven-safe?

All-Clad Stainless Steel Bowls

All-clad cookware manufactures shiny and sturdy stainless steel bowls that are oven-safe.

Vollrath Stainless Steel Bowls

These solid, concave-bottomed stainless steel bowls are oven-safe and are available in a variety of sizes.

Pyrex bowls

These low-thermal expansion bowls are made to withstand high temperatures and are perfect for making casseroles.

Crockery bowls

Some ceramic bowls are labeled oven-safe and can be used to hold soups and stews.

Can you put a stainless steel bowl in the microwave?

No, stainless steel bowls should not go in the oven. They can damage your microwave or the microwaves will damage them instead. It also poses a threat to start a fire. Moreover, the microwaves will only heat the food at the top as It won’t pass through the sides of the bowl.

Can you put a stainless steel bowl in the freezer?

Yes, stainless steel bowls are safe to be used in the freezer unless it says otherwise. Do not fill the bowl to the mouth. Leave space to allow the contents to expand without overflowing. If you made cookie dough in a stainless steel bowl, you can always store it in the freezer as-is.

Are stainless steel mixing bowls dishwasher-safe?

Yes, stainless steel mixing bowls are oven-safe. However, If the label says otherwise, do not risk it as It may result in scratching and pitting over especially If the bowl is low quality.

Things you should never do with your stainless steel pans

Don’t let the pan sit empty on the burner for too long

Preheating an empty stainless steel pan or bowl will result in stubborn yellow, brown, bluish, or rainbow hues. While It may sound tempting to put oil in a heated pan, It is not a good idea to do so.

Don’t use it on a grill or in a microwave 

Microwaves can create an electric current coming in contact with the metal. This can lead to fire or sparks. Grill pans are generally hotter than the tolerance limit of most stainless steel pans. This will cause warping of the metal.

Don’t use cooking sprays 

Other than oil, cooking sprays contain emulsifiers, propellants, and anti-foaming agents. The emulsifiers in particular can stick to the pan forming a sticky coating. Your best bet is to use butter or oil.

Don’t let fats heta past their smoke point

Fats when heated past their smoke point break down into free fatty acids which form insoluble resins upon polymerization which you might have observed as yellow and sticky coating If you ever deep-fried in a stainless pan.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question “Can you put stainless steel in the oven?”, and how to bake in stainless steel bowls?

References

https://www.hunker.com/13408520/is-stainless-steel-ovenproof
https://www.thekitchn.com/stainless-steel-pans-tips-things-to-avoid-22997775