Baking days are exciting and fun. If you are ready to use a ceramic dish but don’t know if the bowl is suitable for your oven, things can become confusing. Can ceramic wares really go in oven?
Ceramic wares are tolerant to high heat and suitable for ovens. Most ceramic wares come with a label that says it is oven-safe. Yet many of them are not heat-resistant and can break.
I did not mean to discourage you or scare you regarding putting ceramic in the oven. But there are many dos and don’ts and many questions hovering around when it comes to ceramic and ovens. My today’s goal is to answer them all for you.
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Can Ceramic Go In Oven?
Baking does not become enjoyable if you use the wrong utensils. Ceramic cookware has become more popular than before, and ceramic baking wares are commonly used these days.
Ceramics are perfectly capable of tolerating oven heat. That’s why many of us choose it over other baking wares. Yet, there are a few safety concerns regarding this material.
I always check and recheck everything before I put them in the oven. And recently, I have noticed that the ceramics that contain metal or glazes become way too hot. You see, this is where we all have to draw the line.
Ceramic wares that contain metal designs or glazes are not entirely safe for the oven. They are prone to various hazards. That’s why it is mandatory to know that the ceramic you use is safe for oven baking.
Can Ceramic Plates Go In The Oven?
Putting your ceramic plate in the oven for quick heating of food is fine. But is that a safe thing to do?
Ceramic is a common kitchen utensil that is often used to heat food in the oven. And like many other materials, ceramic plates can go in the oven. However, not all of them are suitable for high heat.
There are multiple drawbacks regarding putting a ceramic plate in the oven. Ceramics are made using high-temperature, which gives them the ability to tolerate oven heat.
But you will notice that some ceramic plates contain glazes and other designs. If the manufacturers add the design after the heating process, they will melt when you place them in a hot oven.
But there is a way to know if the ceramic plates you have are not prone to such issues. You can check the bottom of the ceramic plate to check the caution label. If the label says that it is oven-safe, you do not need to think twice.
You can also test it by placing an oven-safe ceramic mug on top of it. You need to fill half of the mug with water. Then heat them for a minute and then take them out. If the plate is still cool enough, it is safe for the oven.
Can Ceramic Mugs Go In The Oven?
Yes, you can put a ceramic mug in the oven if it is oven-safe. Most coffee mugs are suitable for ovens as they often require reheating.
Besides, ceramic cakes are the new trendy desserts, and everyone loves them. That’s why having oven-safe ceramic mugs come in pretty handy for baking. But before you use a ceramic mug in the oven, make sure it is safe.
Ceramic mugs made with thick porcelain or stoneware are safe to use in ovens. However, the ones made with earthenware or bone china are not suitable for high-temperature baking.
Since mugs are widely used for drinking tea, coffee, and baking, many manufacturers bring low-quality ceramic mugs into the market. Such mugs are not oven-safe and can explode when you expose them to high heat.
So, how will you know your ceramic mug is safe to use? You need to try a simple test to find out. Fill about half of the mug with water and heat it in the oven for a minute. If the ceramic mug feels too hot after taking it out, it is not suitable to use.
There are a few more things you need to check about ceramic mugs. Nowadays, ceramic mugs contain metal designs, edges, and glaze as part of decorations. These materials are not oven-safe and can cause explosions.
Can Ceramic Bowls Go In The Oven?
Ceramic bowls are excellent for whipping bread or cake mix. You can put the entire cake mixture in a bowl and put it in the oven for baking. But I wish it was as simple as it sounds.
Just like ceramic plates and mugs, you can use ceramic bowls for heating food and baking. But while high-grade ceramic bowls are suitable for ovens, low-quality ones can cause disaster. The rule of thumb to ensure a safe ceramic bowl is to check the label at the bottom.
Manufacturers add a caution label that indicates whether the material is safe or unsafe. If the label has a stamp that shows it is oven-safe or has written words, you can use it in the oven without any worry.
But if it does not have any stamp or written words, you need to test it first. Place the ceramic bowl in the oven half filled with water and heat it for a minute. If the bowl becomes too hot, it is not oven-safe.
But do not place a cold ceramic bowl in the oven. If you do that, it will create thermal shock and break the bowl. So bring the bowl to room temperature before you place it into a hot oven.
Things To Look For In An Oven-Safe Ceramic
Ceramics are versatile and known for being able to tolerate high heat. However, not all of them are safe for oven baking or heating food. That’s why it is best to know what to look for in an oven-safe ceramic.
Ceramic Types
There are different types of ceramics, such as porcelain, earthenware, stoneware, etc. Each of these types reacts differently when in direct contact with heat.
Make sure your ceramic glaze is waterproof. Having that will keep the porous material safe and heat-resistant. If your ceramic has such protection, it will not become hot when you place it in the oven.
Label
Most kitchen tools or items you purchase will usually have a label that will state whether it is oven or dishwasher safe. The same goes for ceramic wares. Almost all of them come with a label at the bottom.
Turn the ceramic upside-down and look for a mark or stamp that indicates that it is oven-proof. Sometimes, there are written words such as Oven-Proof or Heat-Resistant instead of stamps.
Thickness
Okay, now you must be wondering why thickness matters. Let me explain first. Ceramics come in various thicknesses, and they react differently in heat.
The reason why most ceramics shatter in the oven is because of the sudden change in the temperature. If it is a thin ceramic, it will heat up faster in the oven and lose heat fast afterward. Thus, the quick change of temperature makes it shatter into pieces.
On the contrary, a thick ceramic has multiple layers to protect them. When you place such a ceramic in the oven, its temperature will rise slowly. And when you take it out of the oven, it will cool down at the same speed. As the ceramic will not go through a sudden change in heat, it will not crack or break.
Caution
Many fragile utensils come with the words ‘Handle With Caution’. While handling the ceramic with caution is essential, it is equally important to make sure it does not contain anything hazardous.
If the ceramic has any metallic edges, avoid using it in the oven. And if the ceramic has glazes on it, test to see if it gets too hot after placing it in the oven. But it would be best if you did not use them.
How To Test If The Ceramic Is Oven Safe?
Most ceramics will have a stamp or caution written at the bottom. It indicates the ceramic’s ability to tolerate heat. But sometimes you will find ceramics that don’t have any of them. If that happens, you can test the ceramic to find out if it is oven-safe.
Step 1: Take A Mug Of Water And A Plate
You need a few things to test if the ceramic is oven-safe. First, you need an oven-proof ceramic mug. Then fill about three-quarters of it with water. Then take the ceramic plate or dish you want to test.
Step 2: Plate Them In The Oven
Now place both the dish and the mug in the oven. If you cannot keep them side by side, place the plate or dish in the oven first. Then put the water mug on top of it. Avoid spilling any water on the ceramic plate.
Step 3: Heat Them Up
Next, turn on your oven to its maximum temperature and heat the ceramics. Then wait for a minute, and then take them out.
Step 4: Check The Result
Now place your hand on them to find out the result. If the ceramic dish is cool, but the water in the mug is hot, you have the suitable ceramic. On the other hand, if the ceramic dish seems hot, it is not safe for the oven.
Why Ceramics Break In The Oven?
One of the disadvantages of using ceramic in an oven is that sometimes they just shatter. It happens for various reasons. Here are some common ones:
- The most common reason why ceramic breaks or cracks in the oven is when it is not oven-safe. Many people make the mistake of not noticing whether their ceramic is oven-safe. Thus, it leads to such problems.
- If the clay used for making the ceramic is not waterproof, the material will break.
- If the ceramic has metal edges, it is not safe for the oven. The heat will end up shattering it.
- Ceramics with too much glaze are not suitable for oven heat. Once the heat starts rising, the ceramic begins to break.
Tips For Using Ceramic In The Oven
You know now that you cannot use all ceramics in the oven. And even safe ceramics require proper handling so that nothing goes wrong. Here are some tips that will help you when you use ceramics in the oven.
- Always preheat the oven so that it can heat the ceramic gradually.
- Avoid putting the ceramic in the oven when it’s on high heat. The sudden change in heat will break or crack the dish.
- Avoid putting cold or frozen food on the heated ceramic. The abrupt hot and cold temperature can break the ceramic.
- Do not put cold ceramic in the oven for the same reason. Bring the meal or dish to room temperature before placing it in the oven.
- Make sure the ceramic does not have any metal on it.
- Do not use high heat if your ceramic has glazes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What Temperature Does A Ceramic Crack?
Ceramics are heat tolerant materials as they are built at a high temperature. So naturally, it requires a higher temperature to crack. Thus, it is likely to crack at 1063-degree Fahrenheit or 573-degree Celsius and 439-degree Fahrenheit or 226-degree Celsius.
A ceramic ware usually cracks for two other reasons: when the temperature suddenly goes too high or too low. This sudden change of heat causes stress and cracks the ceramic.
Q. Are All Ceramics Oven-Safe?
While most ceramics are oven-safe, some of them have low to zero tolerance to high heat. Ceramics that are mainly built for high heat usually come with tags. But it would be best if you avoided ceramic wares that contain metal or glaze decorations or branding.
Q. Does Ceramic Explode In Ovens?
Thin ceramics cannot handle a sudden change of temperature. If you put it in an oven that is too hot, it can break.
Ceramic exploitation is an infrequent occurrence. However, it can explode if you place it directly on a stovetop.
Q. Can Ceramic Go From Freezer To Oven?
You can put cold ceramics in an oven. However, it is better to avoid placing ceramics immediately after you take them out of the freezer.
When you place such a ceramic in a high-temperature oven, the sudden change of temperature cracks and even breaks the ceramic. So you can try thawing it first, or put the ceramic in a cool oven and start with low heat and increase it gradually.
Q. Can Ceramic Go In The Microwave?
Ceramics are an excellent choice for reheating food in microwaves. They are robust and thick enough to heat your meal.
There is hardly any difference regarding placing ceramic in the oven or microwave. You can microwave ceramic without issues, but you have to follow the same rules and procedures while using one. Avoid metal and glaze decorations so that nothing can go wrong.
EndNote
Ceramic wares may look delicate. But when it comes to using them in a hot oven, they can do the job efficiently. They are made with multiple clay materials and can resist different temperatures. So, can ceramic go in oven?
Yes, it can go to the oven if the heat is not too high and the ceramic is oven-safe. So, remember to check on those things and avoid ceramics with glazes. Such ceramics release toxic air in the oven, which can contaminate your food.
