Can you put a plate in a toaster oven?
by Karine Lemoine
Even though the toaster oven is small, it heats up almost like a real oven. So before putting a plate in to reheat leftovers, a legitimate question arises: do all the materials hold up in this small and intense space?
Contrary to what its size suggests, a toaster oven can reach high temperatures and often places food very close to the resistances, which is a game changer compared to a large oven.
Table of Contents
Here are what types of plates can handle the heat of a toaster oven, which ones should not be used, and how to use them safely.
Materials suitable for the toaster oven
The plates inceramic, stoneware or porcelain explicitly mentioned as “oven-proof”generally handle the heat of a toaster oven well, as do borosilicate glass or tempered glass dishes intended for cooking. Metal, provided it does not have a heat-sensitive finish, is also suitable, but can heat up very quickly due to the proximity of the resistances.
The main thing is still the manufacturer's mention: a dish designed for cooking in a traditional oven behaves the same way in a toaster oven, as long as it physically fits in the space available.
The plates you should absolutely avoid
Decorative plates, especially those withmetallic gold or silver patterns, are to be avoided: metal can create sparks or be damaged under heat. Plastic tableware, even called “microwavable”, is not resistant to the dry heat of an oven and can melt or deform. Cheap earthenware or dishes without mention of oven resistance also present a risk of cracking under the effect of heat, especially near the resistances.
The proximity of resistances changes the situation
In a toaster oven, foods and dishes are often only a few centimeters away from the heating elements, compared to several tens of centimeters in a conventional oven. This proximity creates areas of more intense and more localized heat, which can increase the risks of thermal shock on a material at the limit of its resistance, even if it would easily withstand a traditional oven.
Our tips
►Always check for “oven-safe”
It is the only really reliable indicator, regardless of the appearance or price of the dish.
►Leave space around the dish
Avoid sticking the plate against the resistances or the walls, to limit localized thermal shocks.
►Use pot holders to remove the dish
A toaster oven heats up fast and hard; the handles of the dishes can get hot in a few minutes.
An ovenproof plate, made of ceramic, adapted glass, or metal, behaves well in a toaster oven, as long as you avoid metallic decorations and plastic dishes.
You can also read:If glass goes in the ovenandIf you can put a pizza box in the oven.
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