Can You Put Glass In The Oven At 350? (Find Out Now!)
Most kitchens have an abundance of metal oven cookware. Many cooks also have glassware that seems to be perfect for oven use. Some cooks ask questions about what glassware is safe to use in the oven and what should be kept away from oven temperatures. The question is whether the glassware will survive being in a 350-degree oven.
Generally, stoneware and tempered glass cookware are safe in the oven up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Most carry an oven-safe marking. However, some older pieces may not be marked and should be used with caution. Crystal glassware, cut glass, and any glass cookware not marked safe for oven use should not be put in a hot oven.
Many cooks and bakers value glass cookware for these advantages. The disadvantages cause some cooks and bakers to shy away from glass cookware. Learning about the pros and cons of glass oven-ware is essential as you make your selections.
Oven Safe Glass Cookware
Oven-safe glass cookware covers several different styles and materials. It is important to understand these differences. Different types of glass cookware perform differently in the oven and are generally used for different purposes. What you are cooking can make a difference in what style of glass cookware you choose.
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is much like ordinary glass you find in most household glass products. The glass in your windows, a glass flower vase, or even the drinking glass in your cabinet are examples of ordinary glass. Tempered glass differs in the way it is made. The tempering process gives the glassware up to six times the strength of ordinary glass. In addition, tempered glass has much higher heat resistance.
Tempered glass cookware is known by a variety of names. Among the most well-known are Pyrex®, CorningWare®, Anchor Hocking Fire-King ® products. There are now many other manufacturers of tempered glass cookware from which to choose.
Stoneware
Stoneware is a form of glass but much different from traditional tempered glass. Stoneware is made from clay that is fired at extremely high temperatures. This produces a dense product that is chip-resistant and safe to use in ovens at any temperature.
Stoneware oven cookware is typically much heavier and thicker than its tempered glass counterparts. Because stoneware is made from natural clay materials, some cooks worry that the fired clay may transfer tastes or hazardous elements into their food. All stoneware cookware manufactured in the US is extensively tested by independent laboratories to ensure food safety. If you purchase high-quality made-in-the-USA stoneware, you can be assured it is oven safe and food safe.
What are the Advantages of Glass Ovenware?
Choosing glass ovenware has several advantages. These outweigh the disadvantages and make tempered glass cookware their choice in the kitchen for many cooks. Some of the advantages offered by tempered glass cookware include the following.
- Tempered glass cookware won’t react to acidic foods like some metal pots and pans. Glass is an inert substance that won’t leach into your foods and doesn’t absorb odors or tastes.
- You can store foods in the same pan in which it was cooked. The tempered glass moves easily from the oven to the refrigerator. Many tempered glass cookware sets include lids that offer protection for cooked food. You should allow the tempered glass cookware to cool a bit before placing it in a cold refrigerator, but you don’t need to worry about the glassware exploding.
- Glass heats evenly, preventing hotspots when cooking. Many metal pots and pans will heat unevenly and develop hot spots in the oven. This causes food to cook unevenly. Glass avoids this problem and cooks evenly and efficiently.
- Glass ovenware is often much easier to clean. The surface of tempered glass cookware is smooth and extremely hard. Even burnt-on food is easily removable and leaves no stains. However, harsh abrasive cleaners should not be used as they can scratch the surface of the glass.
- Tempered glass cookware allows you to see the food as it cooks. Unlike metal pots or stoneware, the sides of most tempered glass ovenware are clear, allowing you to see the food you are cooking.
- Tempered glass cookware can be used in the microwave. Tempered glass typically cooks evenly in the microwave and allows cooking at a lower temperature.
All in all, tempered glass cookware offers many advantages to cooks. Many cooks and bakers swear by their tempered glass cookware.
How Bout the Disadvantages of Glass Ovenware?
Nothing is perfect, and tempered glass ovenware has its own set of disadvantages. Awareness of these issues should be considered before purchasing a set of tempered glass ovenware.
- Glass breaks. Even tempered glass can break if dropped or abused. In addition, the tempered glass may chip, which can destroy its usefulness in the kitchen. Chipped or cracked tempered glass ovenware should not be used in the oven to cook.
- Tempered glass cookware doesn’t perform well on top of the cookstove. The slow heat transfer by the tempered glass prevents heat from efficiently transferring to the food. In particular, tempered glass cookware should not be used for deep frying.
- You should never add cold liquids to a hot-tempered glass vessel when cooking. The cold water shock on the hot glass can cause the glassware to crack. If you must add liquid, bring the liquid nearly to a boil before adding it to the tempered glass cookware.
- Tempered glass cookware should not be used on gas cookstoves. The tempered glass can develop intense hotspots where the flames contact the tempered glass. These hotspots can crack, causing catastrophic failures.
- In most cases, tempered glass cookware should not be used in the oven under the broiler. The broiler’s intense heat on the cookware’s rims could cause cracking.
Many cooks choose tempered glass cookware for their baking and cooking chores despite these disadvantages. However, they find the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. For example, when used in an oven for baking and roasting, tempered class cookware performs exceptionally.
Tempered Glass Cookware – A Great Oven Option
Glassware can be used in an oven, provided the utensils are tempered glass or stoneware. Under no circumstances should you put china, glass stemware, or untempered glass in an over. However, you may find that tempered glass ovenware makes a huge difference in your cooking experience.
Dennis is a retired firefighter with an extensive background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling. He worked in the trades part-time while serving as an active firefighter. On his retirement, he started a remodeling and home repair business, which he ran for several years.
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