Can You Put An Aluminum Pan in the Oven?
Can you put aluminum pans in the oven? If so, what are the best practices? Can you use foil in the oven? Let’s explore aluminum and the oven
Everyone knows you can move a cast iron pan from the stovetop to finish in the oven, but what about an aluminum skillet?
Or those aluminum foil pans at the potluck someone suggested popping in the oven to keep warm.
Short answer? Yes! But there’s some nuance to learn more about
Table of Contents
Benefits of aluminum
Is it safe to put aluminum in the oven?
Can I put disposable aluminum pans in the oven?
Aluminum pans in the oven
Aluminum foil in the oven (and on the bottom)
What are the benefits of aluminum pans?
* Good conductors of heat which make food cook more evenly.
* Energy efficient. Even heating allows cooking at lower temperatures, saving energy and reducing cooking time.
* No risk of cracking, melting, charring or burning.
* Freezer safe. Can easily freeze in the aluminum container if covered properly.
* Rust-resistant.
* Budget-friendly. Less expensive than other options like cast iron.
Is it safe to put disposable aluminum pans in the oven?
Yes, food-safe aluminum foil pans are safe in a regular oven. These disposable trays come in various sizes from small ones for grease drip trays for the barbeque to loaf pans and regular baking trays up to larger lasagna pans and roasters.
Keep in mind, that thin aluminum pans will require a shorter baking time. It also means the container will be more flexible. Use oven mitts and caution when moving disposable pans to or from the oven. Placing your aluminum pan on a regular sheet pan or cookie sheet can give it structure and make moving it easier.
They are also freezer-safe. You can cover it with foil and put in the freezer without issue.
They are not safe for use in your microwave oven. That is a fire hazard. Use a microwave-safe dish.
Whether these pans are safe in a toaster oven varies by manufacturer. Most manuals are available online if you no longer have the one that came with your toaster oven. Make sure any foil does not make direct contact with the side of the oven and allows proper heat circulation.
Can I put aluminum pans in the oven?
Short answer: Yes, you can put aluminum pans in a conventional oven. However, not all aluminum pans can tolerate high heat.
Some brands are oven-safe to high temperatures. A Nordicware aluminum baking sheet is oven-safe to 400*F (204*C) while Paderno aluminum pizza pans are safe to 450*F (232*C). T-fal non-stick skillets are only safe to 350*F (175*C).
It’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s website for specific heat numbers if you aren’t sure.
An aluminum pan lid is oven-safe as long as it has no plastic parts.
Can I bake a cake in an aluminum pan?
Look for anodized aluminum bakeware. Anodizing involves treating the aluminum with an electrochemical process that hardens the surface and prevents reactivity with food. This barrier between the food and aluminum prevents aluminum from leaching into the food and makes the metal non-reactive, non-toxic and heat resistant.
Some are further treated with a non-stick coating.
For best results, use cooking spray and parchment paper cut to fit the bottom of your pan. This guarantees your food item won’t stick and protects your baking from chemical reactions. Better safe than not. For denser cakes, like carrot cake, double up the pans or set the cake pan in a slightly larger pan to add an extra insulation layer.
Home cooks may find more pans for cakes of different sizes and different shapes when choosing aluminum. They are inexpensive and can be stacked to save space, especially if you have a minimalist kitchen. It’s also a cheaper option to use aluminum foil trays for potlucks or bake sales where you might not get the container back.
Can you put aluminum foil in the oven safely?
Yes, aluminum foil is great for lining baking sheets and covering dishes to retain moisture while food cooks.
(It’s also good to reheat your pizza this way, check out this post Can you put cardboard and pizza boxes in the oven)
With non-stick aluminum foil, always put the dull side of the foil toward your food. The shiny side does not have the non-stick coating. Often manufacturers, like Reynolds Wrap, will stamp the dull side with the words “non-stick”.
Aluminum foil is not friendly with acidic foods, like citrus fruits, vinegar or tomatoes. The reaction can cause aluminum to leech into the food, leading to a metallic taste. The aluminum will also be visibly pitted. A stainless steel or glass dish is a better choice for oven use.
With baked goods, if your cake or loaf is baking too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil to give it more time to bake without drying out. This will also prevent over-browning by protecting the top from direct heat.
With a small amount of foil, you can create a tented foil packet to reheat leftover pizza in the oven. Put the foil packet directly on the oven rack. It won’t hold heat long when removed from the oven but be careful of the hot air escaping as you open the packet.
Aluminum foil is not safe for microwave use. It’s also not recommended for food storage as it is not airtight.
What about lining the bottom of my oven with aluminum foil?
No, you should not use aluminum foil in the bottom of your oven. I did this once and it was a DISTASTER! Acrid aluminum smoke-like fumes. Talk about unhealthy!
If your oven has vents or openings in the bottom of the oven, foil can lead to insufficient air flow and reduce heat distribution. This can lead to performance issues. You also don’t want anything to touch the heating element; this is exposed in older ovens.
The aluminum foil can scratch the enamel surface of the oven’s interior.
Aluminum foil is heat-resistant but not heat-proof. Aluminum’s melting point is 1220*F (660*) which is well above the high temperatures of home ovens. It won’t burn per se, but at 450*F (232*C), it may get soft.
But I wanted to use aluminum foil to keep the oven clean!
There are better alternatives to aluminum foil.
* Place an empty baking dish on the lower rack to catch any drips.
* Use a sheet of aluminum foil on the lowest rack and place your baking dishes on the centre rack.
* Use a silicon oven liner on your baking racks. This can not go on the oven floor.
* Use parchment paper under the dish or food. It is non-reflective, non-scratch and safe to 420*F to 450*F (215*C to 232*C).
Tips for Cooking with Aluminum Cookware
In addition to putting aluminum pans in the oven, there are some other tips:
* High heat can discolor aluminum as the surface oxidizes. It leaves a black or dark gray residue. The best way to clean it is with a paste of baking soda and water. Use a lower heat next time.
* It will scratch or dent more easily because aluminum is soft.
* It does not hold heat for a long time so if adding extra things to the pan, the temperature will fluctuate.
* To reduce the environmental impact, you can wash and reuse disposable aluminum pans with warm water. Clean aluminum foil can be balled up and tossed in the recycling bin. Aluminum is one of the most recyclable products.
Keep Your Aluminum Pans and Aluminum Foil
Professional chefs and home cooks alike use aluminum pans and aluminum foil. They are a good conductor of heat which reduces cook time and clean up time. As long as you are aware of acidic ingredients and don’t push the high oven temperatures, you will be cooking food with your high-quality foil pans and aluminum pans for a long time. So, yes, you can put most aluminum pans in the oven.
Additional Resources
Check out this video about decluttering your kitchen
Check out this Blog Post Can you put cardboard and pizza boxes in the oven
