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Can You Put A Plate In A Toaster Oven? Ones You Can & Can’t

Norah Clark
Kitchenaid toaster oven on a kitchen counter

Norah Clark

Norah Clark, Editor of Boyd Hampers! Norah is a food writer with over a decade of experience in hospitality as a pastry chef, sous chef, and barista; former chef at the Savoy Hotel, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and Plaza Hotel.

Plates can be put in a toaster when the manufacturer states they are oven safe. When the symbol for oven safety is not there, check the instruction manual. Plates made of glass, ceramic, and steel are usually safe in a toaster oven.

Toaster ovens can be used for baking, toasting, roasting, and even toasting. Many people use them to heat plates and keep food warm when they’ve already served it, but the guests have not yet arrived.

If you’ve ever struggled to determine which plates you could heat inside the toaster oven, this post will help you answer your worries.

Can You Put A Plate In An Oven Toaster?

Not every plate is  suitable for an oven or a toaster.

To determine whether an item is suitable for use in toaster ovens toaster or not, flip the plate over and look for a symbol or a message at the bottom of the dish indicating it is oven-safe.

Also,go through the instruction manual, as most manufacturers will tell you which materials can be used in the specific toaster oven.

What happens if the oven-safe symbol disappears and you have no clue where the oven’s instruction manual can be found?

This is where the information about the materials that are safe for ovens is useful. Knowing which oven-safe materials can help you avoid problems such as thermal shock or the possibility of fire within your toaster oven.

If you’re not aware, thermal shock is caused by abrupt temperature fluctuations. It could cause glass or ceramic plates to crack and plates made of metal to become warped.

Furthermore, much is dependent in the heat of the oven. If you’ve placed it on low and want to just keep the plate warm before serving the dish, this could be a good idea for a variety of ingredients.

But, it is not advisable to overlook the ‘not oven-safe label. This is especially important if you intend to set the oven’s temperature to 250 degrees Fahrenheit or more.

What Plates Are Safe To Use In A Toaster Oven?

There’s no definitive answer to the ingredients of the plates that are oven safe. Here is the most well-known material that plates are made of and whether they are safe to use in the oven of a toaster or not.

The Best Materials

Ceramic plates could be used in a toaster if they’re made specifically for this purpose. The same goes for stoneware plates and earthenware plates.

Remember that even if your porcelain dinnerware is thought safe for oven use, it might still crack when your toaster cooks unevenly.

If you’re making a decision to risk ceramic, make sure you choose solid plates that are thick and durable and have a greater chance of withstanding the temperatures. We cannot give guarantees, however, which is why you should stay with what you are sure is safe for oven use.

Glass

Glass plates can be used in a toaster if they’re labeled oven-safe.

Many glass dishes are not oven-safe, companies do make oven-safe glass dishes. If you have these, be sure you know the maximum amount of heat the glass plates can handle.

If you’re unsure what your glassware will do when baking, you could use a small glass cake pan. It’s safe to bake in, and it’s most likely worth cleaning a dish rather than replacing a damaged plate.

Metal

Metal plates made of substances such as aluminum or stainless steel but for the most part, can be safely placed into the toaster oven.

If you are making use of an aluminum foil plate to heat food, it is important to make sure that the plates are not in contact with the heat elements in the oven. In the case of the stainless steel plate, it can be used in the oven as long as the manufacturer declares it oven safe.

Plates You Shouldn’t Put In The Toaster Oven

Certain materials should not use in your toaster oven because the risk that they will burn is extremely high.

Plastic Plates

Heat and plastic aren’t ideal partners. You’ve probably figured that out in the past; however, here’s a helpful reminder.

Paper Plates

Even if you plan to bake your toaster at the lowest temperature, the paper plates are a major no-no.

Because toaster ovens are tiny and the chance of your hand touching the heating elements is very high, you risk burning yourself or setting your home on fire trying to warm food items on paper plates in the oven.

Even if the plate doesn’t touch the heating coils, it could catch fire when exposed to extreme temperatures. This is why cardboard plates shouldn’t be placed in the oven for toasters.

Styrofoam Plates

Styrofoam dishes are helpful for storing frigid food items. However, they are not suitable for use in the oven since they start to melt at temperatures of 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition, the temperatures cause Styrofoam plates only to melt but to release into the food.

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1 comment

Common sense but real good advice! Thanks ❤️

Aaron Honore

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