We have a lot of questions about what ought to go into the oven and what shouldn’t be in the oven. Although we have an idea of heat-friendly objects and those that aren’t heat-friendly when it comes to baking we have to be more observant. This is because unlike placing a utensil in the microwave or a stove, putting things in the oven exposes them to a very high heat temperature and for a longer amount of time.
Ceramic is a very popular kitchenware. It is very unpopular to not find ceramic in a standard kitchen. The uses of ceramic vary according to their purposes, and they are also very comfortable to use, durable, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing. It has been argued that ceramic has the win for the most popular kitchenware. Mugs, plates, cups, bowls, dishes, and so on are some of the products of ceramic.
However, we must know if ceramic wares can go into the oven; this will lead us to questions like “can ceramic withstand heat?” “can it melt?”, and “is it toxic?”.
What is ceramic?
Ceramic objects are hard and delicate materials with heat and corrosion resistance. They are usually made from non-metallic mineral substances e.g clay, through molding, firing, and heating.
Traditional ceramics were molded with clay, but contemporary ones are engineered with more sophisticatedness, added materials, and mineral substances.
Modern ceramic products are categorized into four kinds:
- The structural ceramic products; which include pipes, roof tiles, and other ceramic building products.
- The refractories are objects like steel and glass, etc.
- The technical ceramic objects are far more sophisticated and they include objects like jet engine turbine blade coatings, biomedical implants, etc.
- The last of this category are ceramic whitewares. These include; kitchenwares, tablewares, cooking wares, and pottery products. This section is what this article is concerned with.
Can ceramic go in the oven?
Yes, ceramic can go in the oven without melting or cracking due to its high heat resistance property up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,649 degrees Celsius) which is way higher than most normal baking instructions for homemade recipes. Given the fact that they were molded through fire and heat, they can survive the high heat temperature of the oven too. Although ceramic can withstand high heat, make sure that it is oven-safe approved because ceramics with plastic stickers or glazed coatings could leach chemicals into foods.
What type of ceramic can go in the oven?
In as much as ceramic can withstand heat, it’s safe to know if you can put any type of ceramic ware in the oven. Typically, any oven-safe kitchenware can be used in the oven. For any type of material, You can tell if the plate, pot, cup, or bowl is oven safe by looking for an Oven-Safe mark underneath it.
In general, ceramics are ideal for usage in the oven. But you should avoid plates with sticky graphics, and if the ceramics are glazed, be sure they are made to be used in a built-in oven.
Can ceramic melt or crack?
It is normal to wonder what the outcome of ceramic will be, if it’s exposed to over-bearing heat or if it cannot withstand a particular temperature of heat.
When it comes to melting, ceramic won’t likely melt, because is it manufactured with materials and minerals that can’t melt easily. Ceramic is forged and molded with fire to harden, if there could be damaging effects from heat, melting will most likely be out of the equation. The melting temperature of ceramic is much higher than that of metal, and they can only creep when they are exposed to a very high amount of heat for a very long time. Therefore creep is not usually regarded as a limitation of ceramic production.
There is also the question of whether ceramic can crack in the heat. When exposed to heat, ceramic tends to expand. If the ceramic bowl is not oven-safe, then exposure to high temperatures and quick temperature changes can cause a thermal shock, which might cause the bowl to shatter or crack.
Some oven-safe bowls might as well not have the capacity to withstand high heat temperatures. This is why it is advisable not to use ceramicwares for a temperature of more than 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Ceramics are quite sensitive to quick changes of temperature, therefore, when there is a temperature change there is a risk of thermal shock and cracking.
Thermal shock occurs when the state of the ceramic changes as a result of rapid temperature variations. Crazing occurs when the glazing cracks as a result of the heat. When crazing happens, the fractured glazing leaves difficult-to-clean spots, which can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria. If bacteria have accumulated these fissures, the item is no longer fit for human consumption.
Heat-induced porcelain can also experience daunting. This occurs when the ceramic beneath the glaze cracks, putting the piece’s structural integrity in jeopardy. Finally, the ceramic object could break into pieces, creating a huge mess.
How to identify oven-safe bowls?
The majority of ceramic bowls are made out of clay and they are then fired to harden. Identifying an oven-safe and oven-dangerous ceramic will depend on the glaze, as it may or may not be oven-friendly. Porcelain and earthenwares are amongst this ceramic category. The clay will be damaged if it is not watertight, when placed in a preheated oven, such clay is prone to breaking.
When purchasing bowls Look for a label that says “oven-safe” or look for a bowl that has an oven sign printed on it, this is normally imprinted on the bottom of the bowl. A bowl is safe to use in low-temperature ovens (below 300°F) if it has wavy lines drawn or printed on it. It is not advisable to subject your ceramic bowl to extreme temperature swings, regardless of whether it is oven safe or not.
If the bowl does not make a clear declaration, You can still determine whether or not it is oven safe. For example, a glass bowl or pan labeled “Corningware” or “pyrex” can be securely used in the oven.
However, if there isn’t any indication to let you know that it’s oven safe, the most ideal thing to do will be to contact the manufacturer by either calling their customer care line or reaching them via email.
Is ceramic ideal for baking?
Ceramic is a great material for baking. It’s not only great for baking, but it’s also great for storing and serving meals. Ceramic has a high heat retention capacity. Another bonus is that ceramic wares are very decorative.
Are there dangers of ceramic cookwares?
The glaze on ceramic wares are responsible for their smooth and shiny texture, they also keep the clay underneath from breakage and cracks.
The downside of this is that some glazed bowls contain substances like cadmium and lead, which can leak into food during the process of cooking or baking.
In conclusion, ceramics are suitable for oven use. Other important topics surrounding the use of ceramic have also been answered in this article.
0 Comments