Casseroles are not the only cookware that can be placed inside the oven. Certain baked dishes require a skillet placed directly in the oven after initial cooking was done on the stovetop. This puts the following questions on the line: What kind of skillet is oven-safe? How can I know if my skillet can be placed inside an oven?
To identify if your skillet is oven-safe, your need first to figure out if your pan’s components can withstand high-temperature cooking. The following components are as follows: the cookware’s overall material, the coating used on the pan’s surface, and the pan’s handle.
How Do You Know If A Skillet Is Oven Safe?
Placing a pan that is not oven-safe may result in melted handles, a warped pan, ruined food, and toxic fumes. The simplest way to identify if your skillet is oven-safe is through quick inspection. Check if the bottom of your skillet is labeled “oven-safe” text or symbol.
If there’s none, you may search on the manufacturer’s official website or reviews to see if your item can be deemed oven-safe. Another method of classifying if your skillet can be used inside the oven is by identifying the materials used on your skillet.
- Cookware made with ceramic is oven-safe. Ceramic is a type of material that can withstand high-temperature cooking.
- Cast iron skillet is oven safe. Most cast iron cookware uses a single material in creating the cookware (pan and handle).
- Some nonstick coatings found on metal and ceramic pans are not oven safe. These materials produce toxic fumes once placed inside a heated oven.
- Polymer and plastic compounds used in some ceramic cookware may be heat-resistant, but they still cannot be used in the oven. The high temperatures will melt the material quickly.
With the conditions abovementioned, the best material to consider is a cast-iron skillet. Since the entire pan is made with pure cast iron, it can withstand such extreme temperatures with cracking and warping. Most skillet pans are also coated with a specialized nonstick coating that is oven-safe.
Using a cast-iron skillet pan can provide efficiency and convenience. After cooking your dishes inside a skillet, you can finish cooking your food without transferring it inside a baking dish or casserole. Choosing an ovenproof pan is a good outlay for your kitchen.
Are All Skillets Oven Proof?
A skillet is a variant of a frying pan with a deeper basin. It also comes with a lid that can be useful when braising thick sauces, curries, and soups. A skillet can be more versatile cookware than a frying pan since it can provide the same task done inside a frying pan.
Since skillets are used for long-hour cooking, it is commonly made with cast iron. Frying pans are produced on numerous materials: stainless steel, aluminum, ceramic, or a combination of metals.
Although frying pans are considered indispensable cookware for sauteing and frying, skillets can provide a better job on high-temperature cooking. This is why oven-safe skillets and casseroles are produced.
Skillets made with pure cast iron are all ovenproof and considered the popular variant of this cookware. Since skillets are made with pure iron, it requires to proper seasoning to prevent food from sticking. If done correctly, your seasoned cast iron skillet will have a protective coating that is rustproof and nonstick.
Seasoning is a process of applying oils to your skillet until it produces a protective nonstick layer at the top of the metal. It is highly-suggested to season your skillet before using it for daily cooking. Listed below are the easy-to-follow steps to season your skillet.
- Scrub your skillet on hot water mixed with dish soap. Make sure that the rust and dirt buildup is removed completely. You may continuously repeat this process until the results are satisfactory.
- Dry your pan completely. You can fasten this process by pressing a dry cloth on your pan and patting it dry.
- Prepare a cup of melted shortening or vegetable oil over the skillet. For better results, you may invest in flaxseed oil or grapeseed oil. These oils have a high smoke point that is essential for this certain process.
- Grab a clean cotton cloth or pastry brush and began spreading your oil. You may also place oil on the handle and the bottom pan. This will provide a protective coating against rust. Let the oil penetrate the pan.
- Proceed to the seasoning process. Place your skillet inside an oven at 375°F (190°C). You may place a cooking sheet to collect drips. Bake your pan for one hour.
- Let the pan cool down. You may conduct a nonstick test by frying an egg. You may repeat the process until you are satisfied.
If you cannot season your skillet, you may still use it. Just make sure that enough oil is applied to prevent food from sticking. Before using inside the oven, the skillet must be greased completely to prevent your food from scorching on the cookware. Butter and corn oil is an affordable greaser for your skillet pan.
Is A Cast Iron Skillet Oven Safe?
Ovenproof cookware makes cooking and baking processes more efficient. Since it will reduce the time-consuming transferring from your skillet to bakeware, you will have more time for yourself. A cast-iron skillet that is oven-safe can cook food on the stove and then baking it inside an oven.
Before placing your cast-iron skillet pan inside, you need to ensure if your pan is completely oven-safe. You can scrutinize your cast iron skillet pan by considering these factors:
- Identify if the materials used are ovenproof. Skillets made with stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, and ceramic can be safely used inside an oven.
- Make sure that protective coating can withstand high temperatures. Teflon nonstick coating can resist temperatures up to 500°F (260°C) before it releases toxic fumes. Ceramic nonstick coatings can withstand up to 420°F (215°C). Enameled cookware can tolerate temperatures of 450°F (232°C).
- Inspect if the handles are made with ovenproof materials. Wood, plastic, and other heat-sensitive materials should not be placed inside the oven. Silicone insulated handles can withstand temperatures up to 350°F (176°C) before it starts to melt. Bakelite handles can resist temperatures up to 350°F (176°C) as well.
