Can You Put a Frying Pan In The Oven?

I’ll walk you through how to identify if your frying pan is oven safe and how to choose one based on materials.

In restaurants, we often used our frying pans to finish off the dishes in the oven. It’s incredibly convenient not only because it frees up your stovetop but also because it allows you to cook food without burning it or needing to flip it over.

Here is a table of contents of what you can find in this article:

• Are Frying Pans Oven-Safe?
• How do I know if my frying pan is oven-safe?
• Which Pans Can You Put In The Oven?
• So Can non-stick frying pans go in the oven?
• Our Best Reviewed Oven Safe Frying Pans
• FAQ

Can You Put a Frying Pan In The Oven?

Yes, most frying pans are oven-safe these days to at least 350 degrees Fahrenheit. However, there are some exceptions. If you have a pan and you are not sure if it’s safe to use in the oven first, you need to check on the bottom of the pan. There should be an oven-safe symbol or written with small letters that it’s safe to use in the oven.

Many frying pans can withstand heat much higher than 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Pans made from cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel, and copper have the highest oven safety ratings. However, nonstick pans don’t compare as well with only 450 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Most of the time, if nonstick cookware contains PTFE, it should never be used in temperatures above 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some materials are not designed to be used in the oven or withstand high heat, like plastic handles or plastic knobs on the lids. However, it doesn’t mean that all frying pans with plastic handles or knobs cannot be placed in the oven. There’re exceptions depending on the brand and materials. Later in this article, I’ll explain in detail how to identify if your pan is suitable to be placed in the oven.

How Do I Know if My Frying Pan is Oven-Safe?

If you don’t know if your frying pan is oven safe, check on the bottom of the pan. Most of the time, there should be a symbol or, in some cases, small letters showing if you can safely use the pan in the oven. Also user manual should include all the information about the pan, including if it’s oven safe, compatibility with stovetops, and other information.

If somehow you don’t have this information available, read below to find out if you can put your frying pan in the oven. It all comes down to three main things: handles, lid, and coating.

Is the handle oven-proof?

You can safely use metal (stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum), rubber, wooden, or plastic handles in the oven. However, keep in mind that both plastic and silicone handles typically have the lowest oven-safe temperatures. Also, remember to have a dry towel nearby when taking the frying pan out of the oven. You can use silicone oven mitts. Handles tend to get very hot, and from my personal experience, I can tell you it’s not nice to grab a hot handle.

Is the lid oven-proof?

Most stainless steel and glass frying pan lids are oven safe. Glass lids can withstand temperatures as high as 400 degrees Fahrenheit, while stainless steel can go even higher. One thing to check before putting your pan with the lid in the oven is the lid knob. Cheaper cookware tends to use plastic knobs which can’t withstand high temperatures. In this case, I suggest you replace them with stainless steel knobs. Most knobs can be easily removed and replaced.

Is the handle of the Frying Pan Detachable?

Some frying pans come with a detachable handle. This feature makes a pan more versatile. However, more traditional riveted handles are better since they are more durable. So make sure to check if your pan has a handle release button. If it doesn’t, at least make sure it’s oven-proof before putting it in a hot oven.

Is the coating on the frying pan heat resistant?

Stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel frying pan do not have a nonstick coating which can break if exposed to high temperature. PTFE is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, which is often used in a nonstick pan. It can break at temperatures as low as 570 degrees Fahrenheit. When it breaks, it releases a toxic chemical into the air. Make sure you check the user manual before putting your pan in the oven. 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit is a sweet spot for most nonstick cookware.

Which Pans Can You Put In The Oven?

Read below to learn about oven-safe pans and the best material used in a frying pan to withstand temperatures for your cooking methods.

Is Cast Iron Frying Pan Oven Safe?

Yes, cast iron is oven-safe. Since cast iron pans are usually entirely metal, they have high heat resistance. However, cast iron skillets and frying pans have a few significant disadvantages over stainless steel and other types of cookware. If these pans are not enameled, they tend to rust, and they react with acidic foods.

Cast iron pans are notoriously difficult to clean when compared to nonstick or even stainless steel frying pans. Also, cast iron requires seasoning, which creates a layer of nonstick coating. If you’re not aware of how to clean cast iron, I suggest you read this article.

So to get the best of both worlds, if looking to purchase an oven-safe cast iron pan, look for enameled one. Not only can it withstand high oven temperatures, but it’s also easier to clean and maintain.

Is Stainless Steel Frying Pan Oven Safe?

Yes, stainless steel is oven-safe. In fact, the stainless steel pan is one of these best options when it comes to oven-safe cookware. It can withstand extremely high heat without any problem. Plus, stainless steel is a better alternative to a cast iron frying pan because it’s much lighter. When moving a heavy pan from the stovetop to the oven, it’s much easier to handle a light pan.

Another significant advantage of stainless steel skillets is that they usually have more than one metal sheet layer. A 3-ply or 5-ply stainless steel construction is bonded with aluminum to deliver the best heat distribution and retention. Also, most of these pans are dishwasher safe (which I don’t recommend doing).

Is Non-Stick Frying Pan Oven Safe?

Yes, most non-stick pans are oven safe; however, make sure that a handle is heat resistant. If you’re planning to use a lid for oven use, make sure the knob will withstand the desired temperature. Since most non-stick coatings contain PTFE, they do not have high oven safety ratings.

Is Aluminum Frying Pan Oven Safe?

Most aluminum pans are made either from hard-anodized aluminum or together with stainless steel. Since aluminum is a reactive material and it doesn’t retain heat as well as stainless steel, it’s used together with other metals or special coatings. On the other hand, aluminum foil is often used as a lining for dishes cooked in the oven.

If looking to purchase oven-safe aluminum cookware hard-anodized nonstick frying pan would be your best option. However, since most of these pans are covered with PTFE, they won’t be able to tolerate oven temperatures higher than 570 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is Copper Frying Pan Oven Safe?

Copper is yet another excellent material for oven use. However, it has a few drawbacks. First, it’s a reactive material meaning if you like to cook acidic foods, metals can leach into food. Second, copper cookware is expensive. And last but not least, it requires extra maintenance if you want it to last and perform well consistently.

So if you want to buy the best performing frying pan both for stovetop and oven use, you need to get one with a copper base. Copper is one of the best heat conductors and retainers.

Is Ceramic Frying Pan Oven Safe?

Yes, ceramic pans can be used in the oven as long as they have oven-proof handles. Some cookware brands offer pans with a ceramic coating, while some are made entirely from ceramic. Since this material is nonreactive, it’s an excellent choice for both oven use and stovetop cooking. Furthermore, ceramic can also withstand high oven temperature, which makes it versatile cookware as well.

So Can Non-Stick Frying Pans Go In The Oven?

Yes, most nonstick frying pans can go in the oven. However, before using it in the oven, make sure the handle is oven safe. Otherwise, feel free to use it in the oven if it does not exceed temperatures higher than 570 degrees Fahrenheit because PTFE coating can start to break, resulting in toxic fumes being released.

Our Best Reviewed Oven Safe Frying Pans

Here’re three of the best oven-safe frying pans for your kitchen

• Scanpan HaptIQ Stainless Steel-Aluminum 11 Inch Fry Pan, 11-inch (Best For High-Temperature Oven Use) read a full Scanpan reviews
• 10-Inch OXO Good Grips Pro Nonstick Frying Pan (Best Non-Stick Pan For Oven Use) read the full review in this article on the best non-stick pan for scrambled eggs. 
• T-fal Professional Nonstick Fry Pan (Best Budget Oven-Safe Frying Pan) read the full review.

FAQ