Can Plastic Go in the Oven? Is it Oven-safe?

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Can Plastic Go in the Oven

Plastics are a must-have in every standard kitchen or household. They are commonly used for storing food order items in the house.

In whatever shape or form plastics are presented they are very essential, we have plastic plates, plastic wraps for storing food or wrapping items. There are also plastic bags for garbage disposal. With all this, we cannot overstate the value of plastics in society and our kitchen especially.

We now know that plastics are very important for storage purposes but some people might think to put them in an oven is that a wise decision? Should plastics go in an oven? Whether as a plastic lining for the pan or as a plastic tray or pan in itself. Keep reading to find out more.

Can microwave-safe plastic be put in an oven?

It is important to note that “microwave-safe” does not mean “oven-safe”. Numerous plastics are microwave-safe but not all can be used in an oven. Most people might see a label that confirms that plastic is microwave-safe and assume that they can also use it for an oven but this is not the case.

Microwave-safe plastics are specially formulated to be in a microwave, If they are put in an oven they would melt because an oven’s temperature is higher than that of a microwave and these plastics are not designed to withstand such high temperatures.

Can plastics go in the oven?

The only answer to this question is “No”. Plastics should never go in the oven. Plastics do not have high heat resistant capacity, it melts at a low temperature within 212-338 degrees Fahrenheit (100-170 degrees Celsius).

We all know that an oven’s temperature is very much hotter than this, so is not advisable to put plastic in an oven. Whether it’s a container, a wrapping film, or a bag, only use your plastic for storage purposes only.

Why should you not put plastic in the oven?

Sometimes when baking you need a sheet to line your pan to prevent your food from sticking to the pan. You might want to use a plastic sheet to line your pan, but we highly advise against it. Putting plastic in an oven is a safety risk because the plastic can easily melt and catch fire even under low temperatures.

Apart from fire risk, there is also the possibility of a health risk. When the plastic melts, it will transfer onto your food, this is also a health risk because you should not be ingesting plastic because of the various toxins that it contains.

Although food-grade plastics shouldn’t be poisonous, it is advisable to completely avoid using plastic wraps or sheets as a lining for a pan that is to go in the oven.

After melting when at a cooler temperature plastic solidifies this would make it difficult for you to clean your oven after having plastic melt in it. The stress is really not worth it. You can use other materials instead. But some types of plastic can go in the oven depending on what you are baking. This type of plastic is more heat resistant than regular plastic. Keep reading to find out more about this type of plastic.

What type of plastic can go in the oven?

A type of plastic commonly known as Crystallized Polyethylene Terephthalate (CPET) is a type of plastic that has a higher heat resistant capacity than regular plastics. This type of plastic has undergone a process wherein it has been crystallized. It is this process that increases its resistance to heat. CPET plastics can tolerate temperatures of up to 400°F without melting.

The advantage of this type of plastic is that it is reusable and recyclable. It also does not emit harmful toxins when heated or cooled because it is food-grade plastic. It is obviously microwave-safe because microwave temperatures are not as high as that of an oven. They are also easier to clean than regular plastics.

This high level of heat tolerance does not mean that you can use it to bake everything you want to bake. It comes with a cautionary measure.

If the oven becomes hotter than 400°F the plastic may begin to melt stick to your food. When using CPET plastics in the oven, It is very vital to monitor the temperature of the oven very closely to avoid any unfortunate incidents.

It is important to note that these kinds of plastics are more expensive than regular plastics.

You should be time conscious and careful when baking but the possibility of a fire can reduce the fun of baking for some people. If you are concerned about the sensitivity to heat and do not want to be under any unnecessary pressure every time you decide to bake anything. Here are some other alternatives to plastic.

Other substitutes for plastic in the oven

Whether you plan to use plastic as a container or a lining sheet for your baking. Here are some substitutes that you can use as a lining sheet or the container in the oven.

Materials you can use as a container in an oven

  • Aluminum
  • Tempered Glass
  • Clay
  • Cast Iron
  • Silicone
  • Steel

All the above mentioned are common kitchen equipment materials and they are very safe for oven use.

You might have a wooden baking tray that you think you can use instead of a plastic tray, please do not use wood in an oven, it can also be set on fire. Dry wood can ignite in an oven and start a fire.

Materials you can use as a spread

You can use these materials as a cover sheet for your baking pan instead of a plastic sheet.

  • Silicone mats/pads
  • Silicone sheets
  • Aluminum foils
  • Cooking oil

All these listed items are safe and would not pose any health risk to you. They also have a high heat-resistance level so they will not melt under high temperatures and most importantly they are not flammable.

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