Can Casserole Dishes Go On The Hob?

Casserole dishes are great for using for more than just cooking casseroles. They make for great storage and can be used for a number of styles of recipes. I love using them for things such as pasta bakes and hunters chicken.

Most ceramic or glass casserole dishes are not viable for using on the hob, the direct heat would cause them to crack and break. There are more recent casserole dishes which can be used in both the oven and on the hob but aren’t as popular as the oven safe casserole dishes.

In this article, I am going to talk about whether casserole dishes can be used on the hob, what you should know before doing so and what can happen to your hob and dish if used on a hob.

Can Casserole Dishes Go On The Hob?

No, however, It depends on the material it is made of, the popular casserole dishes made of ceramics cannot go on the hob. Although premium brands made of high-quality ceramics can withstand heat from the hob. In recent times, most casserole dishes are manufactured to go in the oven and on the hob.

 The nature of ceramic casserole dishes are not made to handle the heat from the hob, while cast aluminum (whether light or heavy) can withstand heat from the hob. 

It is pertinent to note that only a few ceramic casserole dishes are safe to go on the hob, a better alternative is the cast-iron types.

Casserole dishes that go on the hob are mostly made of cast iron, as cast iron can withstand temperatures from different sources unlike ceramics(whose components are limited). Casserole dishes made of cast iron can go on the hob without the need for constant stirring, and also fit into the oven. 

Inquest for seeking casserole dishes that go over the hob and oven, the cast iron component is a top consideration for most regular users. While most casserole dishes are made mostly for the oven and require maximum attention including a thorough clean-up when used on the hob, a good cast-iron casserole dish will handle both temperatures simultaneously, and also easy to clean after use. 

Casserole dishes that are used on the hob and in the oven can handle regular cooking at both temperatures, as some recipes require starting on the hob and finishing in the oven. Some cast-iron manufacturers add aesthetic value to a casserole dish making it suitable for table serving, these features make up the “all in one” casserole dishes in the market presently. 

While cast-iron might come across as a costly alternative, the common ceramic casserole dish cannot withstand the heat from a direct range of a hob. The ones sold as bakeware are usually marked unsafe to go on the hob. 

Hint: Lookout for the ones marked safe to go over a stovetop when purchasing your casserole dish. As there are high-end ones sold only to go in the oven

For casserole dishes that go on the hob, it is advisable to keep the temperature low. Also, careful precautions should be taken when used in the oven as cast iron handles tend to be very hot when in use. 

Is It Safe To Use Casserole Dishes On The Hob?

Casserole dishes that are marked safe to use on other hot surfaces by the manufacturer are safe to use on the hob. But, casserole dishes that are made with only ceramics (like the ones used in manufacturing oven pans) are not safe to use on the hob. 

A casserole dish that is made to use on the hob must meet all the conditions of a hob or stovetop temperature,  the components that make up this feature are mostly the cast ironed materials. 

Besides, casserole dishes made of stainless steel are safe to use on the hob and in the oven. Some casserole dishes made of high-quality ceramics are also safe to use on the hob the way the enameled cast iron works (going from hob to oven and retaining moisture).

High-quality ceramic dishes can handle heat distribution in the oven and the hob without cracking. However, to be on the safe side, casserole dishes made of cast iron or stainless steel are perfect and safe to go on the hob. 

Tip: For stainless steel dishes, shallow pans are better to curb burning when used on the hob, while wide deep choices can be for cast irons and ceramics. 

Cast iron casserole dishes heat safely on the hob without sticking, the different temperatures of both heating appliances do not affect a casserole dish made of cast iron or premium ceramic material. 

Aside from the safe nature of a cast-iron dish, it can handle the instant temperature change from oven to the hob and vice-versa, it can also be used regularly too. For instance, a casserole recipe prepared using the oven can be kept warm on the hob without it sticking. 

Also, most casserole dishes made of cast iron are usually manufactured to stand tests of time compared to regular ceramic dishes.  Whether it is needed for an oven or on the hob, it is entirely safe and both appliances don’t tamper with its lifespan. 

Downsides: A stainless steel handle is usually hot when used on the hob and in the oven. 

What Happens To A Casserole Dish When Used On A Hob?

Regular ceramic casserole dishes can crack when used on a hob, as they are built to handle only the heat from an oven. Although, premium ceramic brands can stand the temperature of a hob. 

Casserole dishes marked only for oven use can crack or break instantly when used on a hob, as it is not built to handle direct heat from a hob, (reason why casserole dishes that are made of ceramics are sold as bakeware).

The heat propagation properties of a ceramic casserole dish can rupture when used on the hob due to its crystal structure, as some parts of ceramics expand faster when faced with direct heat, only a few can be used on the hob. 

The casserole dish that can handle uneven distribution of heat is the one made of cast iron, A cast-iron dish will remain intact when placed on a hob or in the oven no matter the temperature.