Can You Put Stainless Steel In The Oven? (Find Out Now!)

Emily Carr
by Emily Carr

Everyone knows that stainless steel is a resilient material used for all sorts of everyday applications. But do you know whether or not it can be used in the oven?

You can put stainless steel in the oven as long as the container is made of all oven-safe materials. In order to make your pan non-stick, grease it with butter or cooking oil (like olive or coconut oil). To preserve the lifespan of stainless steel pans, it’s best to wash them with mild dish soap by hand.

When stainless steel begins to rust, it’s likely time to purchase a new container. In the meantime, you can clean the rust by using 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 2 cups of water, and a standard toothbrush.

Continue reading to discover if stainless steel can be used in the oven and about how to do so. Additionally, we’ll cover if you can put stainless steel in the dishwasher or if there’s a better alternative for preserving its lifespan.

Is It Safe to Put Stainless Steel in the Oven?

Some metals are incredibly reactive, making them unsafe to be heated in regular old kitchen appliances. What about stainless steel?

Stainless steel is definitely safe to put in the oven. In fact, it’s one of the most popular materials for cookware because it heats evenly and retains heat well.

It’s also incredibly sturdy, especially when it comes to very hot temperatures. In fact, the melting point of stainless steel is around a whopping 2650 degrees Fahrenheit. No place on earth even comes close to that, making stainless steel the perfect option for high-temperature dishes.

Properly cared for stainless steel cookware can also last for decades; thus, it’s a cost-friendly option for your kitchen.

Other Metals You Can Put in the Oven

If you can’t find something stainless steel that fits your taste, there are other metal options to choose from.

Other metals that can be used in the oven include:

  • Cast Iron
  • Copper
  • Aluminum
  • Aluminized Steel
  • Tin-Plated Steel
  • Carbon Steel
  • Cast Aluminum

While each of these has different melting points and cooking capabilities, all are able to be used safely in the microwave!

How to Use Stainless Steel in the Oven

In order to ensure that your dish is properly cooked and your kitchen appliance doesn’t go up in flames, there are a few things to consider when using stainless steel in the oven.

Here’s how to safely use stainless steel containers in the oven:

  • Check the rest of the container- does it have handles made of a different material like wood, plastic, or rubber (as they can not be exposed to the oven).
  • To make your pan non-stick, grease the bottom with butter or cooking oil.
  • Set your oven to the appropriate temperature.
  • Put your dish inside.
  • Monitor the cooking process- stainless steel heats up quickly, so it may require less baking time than other materials.
  • Remove your stainless steel container using protective oven mitts or a towel.

Allow for your food to cool before serving!

Can You Put Stainless Steel in the Dishwasher?

Stainless steel is ovenproof, but is it appropriate to wash it in the dishwasher?

Most experts say it’s safe to put stainless steel in the dishwasher a few times. However, over time detergents and harsh soaps may corrode the pan. Overly acidic foods can also have the same effect.

To preserve your stainless steel cookware for as long as possible, be sure to place it on the top rack if you’re too lazy to wash it by hand. We don’t recommend doing this more than 10 times in a pan’s lifespan.

The Best Way to Clean Stainless Steel Bakeware

To make your pan last longer, it’s advised to hand-wash it with warm water and a sponge.

The best practice for cleaning stainless steel bakeware is to:

  • Wait for your stainless steel pan to cool down. You can expedite this process by soaking it in the sink with a combination of cool water and dish soap.
  • Next, scrub the food remnants off of your dish. Metal can sometimes retain the flavoring of a previous dish, so we want to get all of the gunk off. Additionally, caked-on food will often burn in the oven the next time you use the pan.
  • Once you’ve scraped all the food off, do one more hand rinse cycle using a gentle sponge.
  • Lastly, leave your stainless steel pot, pan, or dish out to dry. You can wipe it down lightly and leave it overnight to air out completely.

Doing these simple cleaning tasks every time you use a stainless steel pan will make it last for years to come!


Related Questions

Can you put stainless steel in the refrigerator?

Stainless steel is a great option for cooking or storing food.It’s easy to put stainless steel in the refrigerator because it doesn’t leach harmful chemicals or attract germs and bacteria. This makes it a safe, easy way to preserve your leftovers!However, it’s important to note that stainless steel can be incredibly cold to the touch when it’s been left inside the fridge for a while, so be careful when handling your food!What about the freezer?Just like stainless steel can go in the fridge, it can also go in the freezer. In fact, most people recommend freezing food in stainless steel containers because it helps retain the flavor and the nutrients of the food.


Is stainless steel non-stick?

The reason stainless steel is so durable up to extremely high temperatures is that it doesn’t have any type of protective layer.To be non-stick, most pans have a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Teflon coating that is not suitable for stainless steel. However, don’t let this discourage you from using it in your kitchen.To make your stainless steel pot or pan non-stick, just brush it with some butter or cooking oil (like olive or coconut oil) before you use it to make your dish in the oven.


Why is my stainless steel pan rusty?

There is a component of stainless steel, called Chromium, that oxidizes and prevents your pan from rusting.Although, over time, your dish may become scratched, and the Chromium will wear away. When this happens, small holes form that allow for water and other materials to sink in, which causes rusting.Using a combination of baking soda and water, you should be able to get the rust off with a mildly abrasive toothbrush; however, this problem will likely persist. Hand-wash your pans to prevent further rusting.

Final Thoughts

Overall, stainless steel is a safe option for all your bakeware needs.

If you are looking for a way to make your stainless steel pans last longer, hand washing them every time is the best option. Or, if you’re lazy like me, just put them on the top rack of your dishwasher for a max of ten times!

As long as you’re not putting them in the oven every day, they should last for a few years without any problems.

If you don’t have access to stainless steel, other metals that are suitable for the oven include copper, aluminum, aluminized steel, tin-plated steel, and cast iron. Just be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before using them!

Emily Carr
Emily Carr

Emily is a copywriter with over five years of experience in crafting content for the home renovation and remodeling industry. She loves house projects, whether it be painting a room or tweaking small design elements to transform a space. Her favorite aesthetic is french modern because of its clean lines and airy feeling! When not writing, Emily loves to travel and check out architectural details all over the world.

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