The advancement of technology has continued to give people convenience through technological inventions. Through these inventions, peoples’ lives have become more accessible and more relaxed as they can do tons of work with just a tap of a button. You can find many inventions in a household, especially in the kitchens.
People do many things in the kitchen; some cook, some bake, and some want to get food to chew on. Undoubtedly, the kitchen may be one of the favorite places a person prefers in their home. Inventions such as ovens, stoves, microwaves, etc., have made it easier for people to instantly acquire food of the best quality.
These inventions are not limitless because they have terms and conditions you need to follow. Moreover, in different ovens, you can use certain glass containers to heat or reheat some of your food. Fortunately, we have all the information you need about your oven’s glass safety!
Can you put glass in the oven?
Now, it is possible to use glassware in the oven to get things straight. However, there is a certain extent that you should follow to avoid any type of caution that may come along with this action. As long as you follow the proper safety measures, this glassware on the oven should not trouble you!
Glass comprises natural raw materials such as sand, soda ash, and limestone, which will form glass at a relatively high temperature by heating and blowing. It may be hard to believe that these materials actually make up glass, but science always has its wonders.
We all know that glass is always fragile. But do you know that there are microscopic cracks in visually-whole glassware? These cracks allow them to break easily, which is the root cause of their fractures. It is like the glass is just waiting for a particular force for them to break into smaller pieces.
The Four Types of glass
Now, to know what glassware to put in an oven, you must first know the different types of glass you may encounter. Most of these glasses have different thicknesses and durability to withstand the heat of an oven. Moreover, you should know first their components to be knowledgeable of the glass you use. While there are many more types of glass available in the market, here are some that may interest you in buying.
#1: Tempered glass
Tempered glass is processed with thermal and chemical controlled conditions to make it relatively more robust than regular glass. Producers designed this glass mainly for safety reasons. It is tough to break this type of glass, but it breaks into tiny little pieces when you do. This breaking into small parts is safer because large shards of glass can kill you by cutting your skin instantly. Moreover, this type of glass is made to survive in an intense thermal environment.
#2: Annealed glass
When you hear about annealed glass, they are just talking about the ordinary and abundant glass you can find anywhere. This type of glass has gone through a typical process, unlike tempered, without heat-strengthening. Contrastingly, these glasses are cooled to relieve internal stress. Because of this cooling, the glasses become softer and more fragile than other types of glass.
#3: Borosilicate glass
If you are wondering what glass scientists use in the laboratory, this type is for you. Borosilicate glass is typical in glassware undergoing a particular heating process, especially in laboratories. These can withstand heat up to 572º F and coldness up to -40ºF. With their versatility, you do not have to worry about cracks on your glassware. Although these types may appear thin, you should not doubt them because durable compounds are melted and combined within them while in production.
#4: Patterned glass and colored glass
You may have bought some different glassware, which might be the patterned or colored ones. These types of glassware help you bring a pop of color to your kitchen. It adds personality to basic designs as it undergoes more processing to be created. Although these glasses may appear to be scary to put under high measures of heat, you must always look at the safety symbols to know whether they are heat-proof or not.
What causes the glass to break in a kitchen?
All of the types of glass mentioned above may seem dreamingly durable, but there are certain factors that they cannot withstand. You may or may not prevent these internal and external factors prevent your glassware from breaking.
Factor #1: Extensive temperature
People use heat to manufacture these glasses; however, heat can also affect their breakage. Thermal stress happens in glassware where there is unbalance in the temperature of certain parts. This happens for certain types of glass; not every kind can be fragile under a certain amount of heat. Thinner glass can break at 150-200ºC, while thicker ones are often oven-safe.
Factor #2: Thermal fluctuations
While it is said that glass can break due to a high amount of heat, it can also shatter when there are drastic changes in the temperature. This means a sudden change between the cold and hot states of the glassware’s environment.
In science, warmer areas tend to make glassware expand, so heating and blowing are methods used to create handmade glassware. On the contrary, more excellent areas make the glass contract which is why cooling hardens the glass during production. The timing is vital to make the glass withstand these temperature changes. Abrupt changes cause stress forces to encourage the glass to break.
Factor #3: Choosing the wrong glass type.
Knowing the glass basics helps you decide what type of glassware can be safely put inside the oven. Moreover, the wrong glass type can always do more harm than good. Glass types are essential to know which can withstand the heat and put shards of glass onto the food you make.
If you are unaware of the glass basics, manufacturers place certain symbols for you to quickly understand and be mindful of the type of glass you use. While these symbols are to be discussed further, you must know that not all glass containers have them. Furthermore, a quick Google search can help answer your glassware questions.
Factor #4: Internal fractures
As mentioned above, microscopic cracks are not visible to the naked eye but can be present in your glassware. Additionally, there can also be tiny cracks that cause further damage to the glassware.
It is customary to dispose of your glassware whenever a tiny crack appears. This crack can cause more damage and is toxic to the user if still utilized. You should check for cracks whenever you are about to use glassware – for hot situations such as the oven or cold conditions like freezers.
Tips to prevent the glass from breaking
Since there are numerous cautions to worry about when heating with glassware, there are always tips and tricks to prevent breakage. You should not be overwhelmed and anxious about the possibilities your glassware will encounter inside the oven. Here are some tips that you can use to avoid damaging your glassware, oven, and your food.
Tip #1: Always look for the glassware labels.
You can find safety labels everywhere. These labels are usually located at the bottom of the glassware alongside the brand name. Sometimes, labels are found on the container lids, commonly a different material than glass, such as plastic. These labels can be seen in words or easy-to-understand symbols. They can vary from conditions such as freezer safe, oven safe, dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and food safe.
Labels that come along with these pieces of glassware help you identify if they are safe to put in specific environments, especially where there are high and low amounts of temperature. If the glassware appears to be oven-safe or microwave-safe, you are confident that you are using the correct glassware.
Tip #2: Give it a quick search.
Some manufacturers are not generous enough to provide certain safety precautions, so you must work on it yourself. While these labels are not present in some glassware, the materials they are made of are often below the brands’ names. A quick internet search can help you identify if these materials are oven-safe and microwave-safe. Searching the brand itself also helps give you a background of the company and how safe their glassware is.
Tip #3: Avoid direct heat and sudden temperature changes
Since heat is potentially a common source of glass breakage, avoiding excessive heat can help you be one step ahead of your problems. You must always measure what temperature range your glassware can withstand. Moreover, you should be aware of where you put your glassware.
This tip also applies when your glassware is already done in the oven. When you take your glassware out of the oven, it is best to place it first in a dry place and let it cool down by itself. Having it in contact with a wet surface or a cold environment can initiate fractures and cause it to shatter. A cooling rack is a recommended tool to place your glassware when cooling.
Tip #4: Surround the glassware with water.
Although the glassware mentioned above should not be in contact with water after using it in the oven, it is not the same as putting water before placing it in the oven. As you put your glassware in the tray, you can also use a small amount of water, just enough to level it up to the height of the tray. Water helps the heat to be equally distributed in the surrounding glassware, and you can prevent it from breaking while equally cooking your food!
Conclusion
Glass usage in the kitchen is rooted in a lot of different benefits. A well-structured glass with no cracks does not contain toxicity, so it is safe to use. It also maintains the heat of your food while being a favorable storage container for reheating advantages. In addition, who does not want a container you can easily clean without worrying about sebum residue?
You can gain a lot of benefits from glassware, but it is necessary to partake in the maintenance of this. Proper care and utilization can get your glassware going for years or even a lifetime. You should always take precautions and use your materials with appreciation. With all that said, you now use your glassware without worries!
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FAQ
What are other materials that are not oven-safe?
All plasticware is not safe in the oven as it produces harmful chemicals that are let out whenever they are exposed to a certain level of heat.
What other materials are oven-safe?
Aluminum pans, food-grade silicone, and ceramics are some materials that are also oven-safe. However, it is safe to make sure by checking the labels before putting them in the oven.
Is it okay to directly reheat food in a glass container after taking it out of the fridge?
After taking your food out of the fridge, give it some time to warm up until it reaches room temperature. This is to avoid possible breakage in the oven.
