Ovens, microwave ovens, toaster ovens, and even microwave toaster oven combos are tricky appliances to use. With our kitchens filled with so many different materials of cookware nowadays, keeping track of what’s oven safe and what’s not can be confusing. There is glass, aluminum, ceramic, and what not. If you’re about to bake in a glass dish, the question “can you put glass in the oven?” may pop up in your mind.
So is it safe to put glass in the oven? Is every type of glass oven safe? Why sometimes even oven-safe glass breaks in the oven? Read on to find out everything you need to know about this simple yet vital aspect of glass.
Can you put glass in the oven without it cracking?
To shortly answer this question, yes, you can put glass in the oven if your glassware has an oven-safe label on it. Casserole or baking dishes and Pyrex glass containers will typically have this label.
However, every oven-safe glass container has an upper temperature limit that tells you about the maximum heat that it can withstand. Exceeding this limit can cause it to crack or even shatter. Normally it will be embossed on your glass container, or you may find it in the product’s user manual. If not, then it is best to keep the temperature below 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is every type of glass oven-safe?
Not all glassware is oven-safe. The type of glass which can safely go in the oven is called tempered glass. It is made through a heat treatment process which makes it stronger and more durable than regular glass. Only glass containers made of tempered glass will have an oven-safe label on them. Other glassware in your kitchen, like glass bowls, glass plates, drinking glasses, and glass storage containers (with a few exceptions) are usually not designed to be put in the oven.
Best Glass Containers for Oven Use
Following are some of the best glass dishes and containers that you can safely put in the oven.
1. Pyrex Deep Glass Baking Dish Set with Lids
With the quality and durability of Pyrex, this is a great set of three different sized baking dishes. All three glass dishes come with lids and are ideal for storage too. The lids however are made of plastic and are not safe for oven use.
2. Anchor Hocking 8-inch Square Glass Baking Dish
This is a very reliable and high-quality glass baking dish. It is oven safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Although it comes with an airtight lid which is ideal for storage, the lid should not be put in an oven.
3. OXO Good Grips Glass 3 Quart Baking Dish with Lid
A 15.6″ by 9.7″ glass baking dish which is oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The lid however is not for oven use, but makes it a good storage container to store your leftover baked food in the refrigerator or freezer.
4. Amazon Basics Oven Safe Glass Baking Dish Set
This is an economical and good quality set of two glass baking dishes. They are oven-safe up to 1076 degrees Fahrenheit (which is a lot!). There are no lids, however, which is the only drawback of this glass bakeware.
5. Pyrex Easy Grab Bake-and-Take Glass Storage Container
Measuring approximately 14 inches x 8 inches, this Pyrex dish is made of high quality tempered glass. It can also be used as a storage container because of the lid. But remember, the plastic lid is not oven-proof.
Why does oven-safe glass break and how to avoid it?
Unfortunately, even if your glass container says that it is oven safe, there is no guarantee that it won’t break in the oven. However, if you avoid a few common mistakes, then you are good to go. Let’s take a look at what can cause oven-proof glass to break and tips to avoid it.
Rapid Temperature Changes
Extreme fluctuations in temperature can cause even the strongest of glass to break. For example, taking a glass container out of the refrigerator or freezer and putting it directly into a preheated oven will most likely result in the glass cracking. Similarly, taking the glassware out of the oven and putting it on a cold surface like countertop will break the glass.
To avoid this, before heating your food in a glass container, take it out of the refrigerator and let it sit out. Put it in the oven only after it has reached to room temperature. Also practice caution while taking out the glass container from the oven. Do not place it directly on a cold countertop or tray. Instead put it on a hot pad or oven mitt.
Exceeding the Temperature Limit
Every glass container has an upper temperature limit. Exceeding it can cause the glass to break. This temperature limit can be found at the bottom of the glass container or in its product manual. If not, then you may search online for your particular product to find out the maximum temperature that it can safely endure. Try to keep the oven temperature below this limit.
Cracks or Scratches
Any structural defect or weakness in a glass container may cause it to shatter when exposed to the high heat of an oven. So before baking in a glass dish, it is best to always inspect the glassware for any cracks or scratches. Even oven-safe glass that is slightly cracked will most probably break in the oven.
Using the Oven Without Preheating
As a general rule of thumb, you should never use an oven without preheating it. If you put a glass dish in an oven that has not been preheated, the high heat during the preheat cycle can put immense strain on the glass, causing it to shatter.
Benefits of Using Glass Bakeware
There is a variety of bakeware material that you can choose from. So why risk using glass when you are having doubts about “can you put glass in the oven?”. The answer lies in the benefits that glass bakeware offers over other materials.
- Glass is non-toxic and thus more hygienic.
- Being an excellent heat conductor, glass absorbs heat and retains it longer.
- You can bake, store, and reheat in the same glass bakeware. No need to transfer food from one container to another.
- Glass has a non-porous surface and is easier to clean.
- The clear surface allows you to watch every layer of your food as it cooks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I hope this article would have answered your question “can you put glass in the oven?” and any related concerns that you might have. If you need to ask or add anything, drop a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
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