Glass, aluminum and ceramic, oh my! Sometimes it can get confusing to keep straight the many materials in the kitchen and how to use them. Which bowls are dishwasher safe, and what can go in the microwave? Which containers are recyclable? It's especially important to pay attention when putting materials into high heat, since putting the wrong material in the microwave or oven can be dangerous if that's not where it belongs. One such situation that commonly arises in the kitchen is the question of whether you can put glass in the oven.
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It's best to stick to caution when it comes to high heat and materials like glass, since doing something wrong can be dangerous. Even if your glass container says that it's heat proof, make sure to research what heat it can withstand and when to avoid putting it in the oven.
Can Glass Go in the Oven?
It's confusing because there are many dishes made of glass, such as casserole dishes, glass pans and other bakeware. However, it's common knowledge that putting glass in high heat can cause it to shatter. This leaves us to wonder, how does one know which containers can go in the oven?
The answer is, you can put glass in the oven, microwave oven or toaster oven if it's oven-safe-glass. It would be risky to put any glass in the oven without checking this simple but vital aspect of glass, so it's best to look for an oven-safe label on your container before using it. You'll often find this on baking dishes, Pyrex glass containers, and glass cookware. Any oven safe glass or tempered glass is made heat resistant to withstand the high oven temperatures we use for cooking and baking, so it's good to go!
Other glass containers in your kitchen like drinking glasses and glass bowls are typically not made for oven use, so these should be kept out of high heat unless labeled as oven safe.
If all this talk about glass bakeware inspires you to invest in some, it can be bought online at Amazon or at any store with a home and kitchen section. One of the most popular online options is the Anchor Hocking Oven Basics, made of tempered glass and ideal for casseroles and cakes.
Anchor Hocking Oven Basics Glass Baking Dishes
Yes, but...
However, even if your glass bakeware is labeled as oven safe or tempered, it's always better safe than sorry! For one, you should check your glassware for any cracks or scratches before using it. Even being oven safe won't protect a glass that is on the verge of breakage, and it will likely shatter once exposed to high heat.
Along with this, many glass dishes labeled as oven safe still have a temperature limit. It's best to search for this along with the oven safe label, to make sure that your recipe won't require a temperature higher than your glassware's limit.
Another thing to keep in mind when using glass is that even oven safe glass doesn't do well with sudden temperature changes, as this can cause a glass break. For instance, when reheating leftovers in a glass container, it's best not to transport them directly from the fridge to the preheated oven. Instead, take them out of the fridge and let them reach room temperature before placing in the oven.
This also works the other way; a glass dish isn't meant to go onto a cold surface directly from the oven. Placing hot glassware onto a cold surface like a countertop or stovetop causes a risk of cracking because of the extreme temperature change. It's always better to place your hot glass on an oven mitt or hot pad rather than directly onto the cold surface.
Using these guidelines, you should be able to safely use your glassware for any recipe you desire, from lasagna to chicken to brownies. Enjoy!
Editor's Note: Products featured on Wide Open Country are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
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