Red copper pans are one of the fastest-growing trends in cookware in recent years. These pans are renowned for their impressive conductivity, strength, and incredible non-stick capabilities.
These make red copper pans versatile and durable, and the perfect choice for practically any occasion. But can you put your red copper pan in the oven?
If you have a red copper pan but aren’t sure if they’re oven-safe, don’t worry – we’ve got all the answers you need! In this guide, we’ll take you through all you need to know about how oven-safe red copper pans are!
Can Red Copper Pans Go In The Oven?
For the most part, red copper pans tend to be completely oven-safe. Red copper pans are great at handling high temperatures (up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, in fact!), and are designed to be put in the oven along with typical pan uses.
On top of that, copper is a great heat conductor – this means that putting a red copper pan in the oven will cook your food evenly and effectively!
Not all red copper pans are oven safe, however, and they can sometimes contain materials that are a lot less heat-resistant.
From the handle to the lid, and even the lining of the pan itself, some components of a red copper pan don’t react well to being put in the oven. It’s important to check whether or not your pan is oven-safe before using it. Here’s a quick breakdown of the different parts of a red copper pan and whether or not they will be oven-safe.
The Copper Pan
As we mentioned before, the copper alloy used in red copper pans is designed to withstand high temperatures. This means that a fully red copper pan can go in the oven with no problem.
The issue is, that red copper pans are typically lined with another metal that isn’t as reactive as copper to make the pan more versatile. In general, this isn’t a problem; however, some metal linings used in red copper pans aren’t as good at withstanding heat as copper.
Tin-lined pans can’t handle high temperatures and therefore aren’t oven-safe. With that said, most copper pans will either use a ceramic or stainless steel lining or be completely made out of copper, so you generally won’t have to worry about the pan itself.
The Handle
The handle of your red copper pan is the most likely component to keep it from being oven-safe. Plastic, silicon, or wooden handles are never oven-safe and will either melt or burn when exposed to high temperatures.
This won’t just ruin your pan, but can also damage your oven or even start a fire! Many red copper pans also have a copper handle, while others will use stainless steel or even aluminum. These are all safe to go in the oven.
Many red copper pans also have a copper handle, while others will use stainless steel or even aluminum. These are all safe to go in the oven.
Just be sure not to directly touch the handle when you’re taking the pan out of the oven as this can lead to serious burns. Always use an oven glove or thick cloth to protect yourself!
The Lid
If your red copper pan comes with a lid, you need to make sure that the materials are oven-safe on this too. This includes the knob on top, which can’t be made of plastic or wood, or else it will risk melting/burning. You also need to check the lining of this too, as it may be different from the pan itself.
If the lid is made of glass, check to make sure this is oven-safe too. Some glass lids can shatter when exposed to high temperatures, so make sure that the glass is both heat-resistant and shatterproof. The same goes for ceramic lids – never assume that your lid is oven-safe just because it’s glass or ceramic!
The Nonstick Coating
This is one of the biggest selling points of a red copper pan, but not all nonstick coatings are made of the same material. Most red copper pans use a type of nonstick coating called polytetrafluoroethylene (or PTFE), which is completely non-toxic and perfectly safe to put in the oven.
Another common coating is Teflon; this, however, can have a limited capacity to withstand heat. Older Teflon nonstick coatings can contain a chemical compound called PFOA, which isn’t as effective at handling heat and can be damaged in the oven.
PFOA-free Teflon is completely oven-safe, but you should still check the product information to make sure your pan is oven-safe.
Some red copper pans don’t have a nonstick coating at all, and simply use copper’s natural nonstick properties. These pans are, of course, completely oven-safe.
What Can You Use Your Copper Pan For?
So now that we’ve covered how, in most cases, red copper pans are oven-safe, let’s take a look at some of the ways you can put this to good use!
Being able to put your pan in the oven makes it far more versatile and multi-purpose. For example, you can make the filling for a pie in the pan, then simply cover it with a layer of pastry and finish it off in the oven for a delicious one-pan meal!
Or why not sear a steak on the hob and then pop it in the oven to broil? Or even make the gooiest mac and cheese with a delicious grilled layer on top! Needless to say, the versatility of a nonstick oven-proof pan makes cooking a breeze.
Conclusion
For the most part, red copper pans are fine to put in the oven and can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit!
However, it’s always a good idea to check the packaging or the manufacturer’s recommendation to make sure that the pan is completely oven-safe.
So as long as you make sure your red copper pan is safe to go in the oven, you can start using it for nearly endless versatility in your cooking!
If you’re looking for a high-quality pan that works just as well in the oven as it does on the stove, a red copper pan has everything you could ask for.
