The Easy Way to Tell if Your Stainless Steel Cookware Can Go in the Oven, According to Chefs
Stainless steel is one of the most common forms of cookware in both home and professional kitchens. One of its biggest perks is its versatility; its heavy-duty nature and can’t-beat way of distributing heat make it an easy go-to for crafting delicious meals. Preheat it on the stovetop, drop your ingredients in, and watch the food transform into a mouth-watering dish.
This cookware may be a stovetop staple, but what if your recipe calls for baking or roasting? Can stainless steel go in the oven, or do you need to transfer your food to a different oven-safe dish, like Pyrex, before baking? Is the oven one of the things you should avoid while using stainless steel pans?
So many questions, but luckily the answer is pretty clear — I talked to some professional chefs to get the scoop, and they also shared some interesting insights and tips everyone should keep in mind while cooking with stainless steel.
Yes, stainless steel cookware can generally be used in the oven, as long as it’s high-quality and oven-safe.
Can Stainless Steel Go in the Oven?
Yes, stainless steel cookware can generally be used in the oven, as long as it’s high-quality and oven-safe. However, it’s important to do your research and understand your pan’s composition before placing it in the oven.
“Every brand of stainless steel is unique, and not all handle heat the same,” says Chef Steve Chiappetti, who oversees culinary at theWit Hotel, including the hotel’s State and Lake Chicago Tavern.
Examples of high-quality stainless steel cookware include 18/10 pieces, made with 18% chromium and 10% nickel, a combination that helps keep the cookware tough and durable in high temperatures. Stainless steel cookware within the 300 series (like 304) is also a solid oven-safe choice, while pans in the 400 series (like 430) are usually oven-safe and budget-friendly, but might not handle high heat as well and are more susceptible to corrosion.
Speaking of high heat, you need to know how much heat your stainless steel cookware can safely withstand before putting it in the oven. The maximum temperature a piece can cook at depends on its brand and makeup. Lower-grade pans can typically cook up to 350 or 400 degrees safely, while some higher-end pieces can cook at up to 500 degrees or more.
Why Should You Use Stainless Steel in the Oven?
Stainless steel cookware is great to use in the oven because it’s durable, has great heat resistance, and evenly distributes heat, which helps your food cook more efficiently.
Chef Gabriel Kreuther, founder and executive chef of his eponymous NYC restaurant, uses stainless steel in the oven every day (his go-to brand is Cristel) and sings its praises. “Stainless steel resists warping and damage at high temperatures, making it ideal for oven use,” says Kreuther. “Its excellent heat distribution ensures consistent cooking and baking results. Plus, it transitions seamlessly from stovetop to oven, allowing for versatile cooking techniques.”
Chiappetti echoes Kreuther’s sentiments about stainless steel; an All-Clad pan is his go-to for oven-baking because of its effectiveness and adaptability, especially when he’s preparing dishes like braised chicken. “The pan is functional for cooking on a stove and in an oven, then presenting on the table,” says Chiappetti. “No extra pans or serving dishes to clean!”
How Can You Tell If Stainless Steel Is Oven-Safe?
If you’ve looked at your stainless steel pan and you’re still not sure if it can go in the oven or not, don’t worry — these are a few simple ways you can tell.
The manufacturer’s guide says it’s oven-safe. The best way to tell if your stainless steel piece is oven-safe is to look at the manufacturer’s guide for confirmation. It will tell you not only if the piece is OK to put in the oven, but also what the highest temperature it can withstand is. The guide also has other great nuggets of information, like how to care for your cookware. If you’ve tossed it, you can likely find it available online.
The cookware has oven-safe symbols on it. Check the bottom of your stainless steel pieces for symbols indicating they’re oven-safe. If you see a square symbol with a small oven in it, that means it’s OK to pop in the oven. Some brands may forego the symbol altogether, though, simply adding “oven-safe” on the bottom of the pans.
Its handles are also oven-safe. “Before you put stainless steel in the oven, check the handles and ensure they are also oven-safe,” says Kreuther. If it has handles made of plastic, rubber, wood, or other non-heat-resistant materials, it might not be good to pop in the oven — even if you use it on the stovetop. Look at the manufacturer’s guide to confirm before transferring your dish to the oven.
Its lid is also oven-safe. If your pan comes with a lid, make sure the lid is also oven-safe before you use it for baking. An oven-safe lid will have glass or steel that can withstand the heat you’re cooking at, and will not have components that could melt, like plastic or rubber. When in doubt, check the manufacturer’s manual for the answer.
How to Keep Your Stainless Steel Cookware in Good Condition
In order to get the most out of your stainless steel cookware — they can last for decades when properly cared for — you should aim to keep it in good shape. Kreuther provided these three tips for keeping your pieces in peak condition.
Clean it quickly. Just got done cooking dinner and noticed a mess in the pan? Clean it ASAP. Use warm, soapy water as soon as you finish cooking, and avoid abrasive scrubbers and prevent scratching.
Polish it regularly. Polishing your stainless steel consistently can help keep it in tip-top shape. Buff the surface of your pots and pans with cleaner to keep it shiny and looking great. (The Kitchn editors tested five of the most effective methods to clean stainless steel, and this is the winner.)
Use high-smoke-point oil when using high heat. If you’re baking at 400 degrees or higher, use oil that has a high smoke point, like sunflower oil or avocado oil, in the pan to help prevent discoloration and sticking.
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