Cast iron <\/strong>skillets can be used for baking and roasting in the oven if their handles are part of the mold, i.e. cast iron. Wooden handles however can scorch in hot ovens. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWith molded handles, just make sure to use potholders as they will be very hot to handle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have one with a wooden handle, and yes you can put it in the oven but only at low heat, i.e., warming temperatures. Too high of heat and you’ll find the wood will scorch. I admit my wooden handle has a slight scorch mark from the effects of heat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you are wanting to dry off your cast iron pan to avoid it rusting or intend putting it in the oven for re-seasoning, you are limited to warming temperatures. The alternative is to use the stovetop for these purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The thing with wooden handles is that the timber and the lacquer can emit gases when heated to certain levels. You don’t want these gases affecting your food. This, of course, will vary with the timber and lacquer used, but to be safe, 200\u00baF is the temperature limit recommended by Tomlinson Industries, according to Hunker<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat about pots and pans with plastic handles?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is it safe to put a pot with plastic handles in the oven? Pots with plastic handles (or phenolic resin; Bakelite) are safe to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 <\/strong>\u00b0C) unless other features (e.g. surface coating) restrict this.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother frequently asked question is “can I put a pan with a rubber handle<\/strong> in the oven?” By rubber, I take it to mean ‘silicone’, at least that is how many people regard it. (Not sure if there are actual rubber handles on cookware. Let me know if I am wrong.)<\/p>\n\n\n\nSilicone handles are good for heat up to 400\u00b0F (204\u00b0C). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be on the safe side, I recommend checking the user instructions that come with the cookware and look for the oven safe pan symbol. But, mostly you’ll find manufacturers state the following for cookware with these features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Stainless steel handles are oven safe to 500\u00b0F (260\u00b0C)<\/li>
- Phenolic resin (Bakelite) parts to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C)<\/li>
- Silicone parts to 400\u00b0F (204\u00b0C)<\/li>
- 100% ceramic and cast iron will suit very high oven temperatures<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Safety tip: Always use pot holders when taking items from the oven.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nQuick reference guide to what makes a pan oven safe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Whether you can use a steel pan or any other pan, skillet, or pot (apart from nonstick) in the oven or not will depend on the type of handle or lid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My comparison table <\/strong>below is a guide for how to tell if your pan is oven safe (or not) up to certain oven temperatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n