Porcelain material is incredibly adaptable and may be used for anything from bakeware to bathroom and kitchen fittings. Usually, kaolin, a soft white clay rich in the mineral kaolinite, is used as the main component in porcelain production. It contains other substances, including feldspar, quartz, bone ash, and alabaster.
Quartz and feldspar are also included kaolin while making porcelain, and 15% of that mixture is created from recycled resources. The components are blended, formed into the required shape, and fired at temperatures ranging from 2200F to 2600F to make porcelain. After being fired, they are cooled and embellished. In addition to its magnificent appearance, porcelain is appreciated for its exceptional durability.
Porcelain has a low porosity, a very high mechanical resistance, and a very high density because of its composition and the high temperatures needed to fire it. Additionally, porcelain has zero porosity, which protects it from thermal expansion and contraction damage. As a result, your bakeware will not fracture while being transferred from the oven to the refrigerator.
Can Porcelain Go in the Oven?
Is it possible to bake with porcelain? The response is both “yes” and “no.” There are several porcelain varieties, and not all of them are oven-safe. Generally, cookware manufactured entirely of porcelain is oven-safe and has a maximum temperature tolerance of 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, thin, outdated, and ornately adorned porcelain plates should not be used in the oven. By searching for an “Oven Proof” label on the package or at the bottom of the tableware, you may determine whether or not porcelain dinnerware is oven-safe.
Oven-safe Porcelain Bowls
The majority of porcelain cookware and bakeware can often endure the heat of a standard oven without any problems. To make a mouthwatering potato casserole or to serve a large group, grab a porcelain casserole dish and bake it. Porcelain is created and then fired in a very hot kiln.
This substance is made by heating this material to 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit in a kiln. Because oven temperatures seldom get over 500 degrees, most practical porcelain objects can readily withstand them. On the bottom of a porcelain dish, an oven- or microwave-safe insignia is often present. Look for these symbols on your bakeware or cookware for further peace of mind. It’s pretty common and straightforward to get oven-safe porcelain.
Porcelain’s strength and durability make it a suitable contender for ovenware, another quality it possesses. Because porcelain is constructed of materials with tiny grains, a porcelain finish seems elegant. Additionally, kaolin clay, which is clean and devoid of impurities, is frequently used to make porcelain.
Because of this, porcelain typically has a gorgeous white hue. Porcelain can seem smooth, elegant, and white, which may give it a delicate aspect. This appearance is misleading, though. In reality, porcelain is a solid, thick substance. It is a fantastic choice for ovenware because of this. Because of its toughness, it can withstand the knocks that come with going in and out of the oven.
Porcelain is an excellent choice of material for making bakeware since it doesn’t transfer heat. It takes longer to warm up, but once it does, the heat is distributed evenly around the room with no chilly areas. Because of this, a casserole is the only baking dish that slow-cooks food evenly.
Porcelain doesn’t have the problem with a thermal shock that some bakeware that is supposed to resist high temperatures can occasionally have. It can withstand extreme heat, won’t react to thermal shock as quickly, and presumably retains heat for a considerable time.
Non-oven Safe Porcelain Bowls
While many types of porcelain may easily transition from the cooktop to the oven, some porcelain objects should never be used in the oven. The most straightforward approach to determining if your porcelain should be baked in the oven is to consider its intended use.
Porcelain decorations, such as those you’ve brought home from vacation, shouldn’t be in the oven. Any porcelain with ornamental features, such as delicate handles or knobs, is usually not oven-safe. The same holds for porcelain dishes with ornate metallic decorations.
Other kinds of porcelain are probably not appropriate for use in the oven. Anything that is primarily beautiful and not useful, especially if it was made before the 1970s, is generally not oven safe. Used, antique, or old porcelain cookware could have tiny hairline fractures. Take additional care since a hairline crack may not be noticeable to the naked eye. The rupture in the porcelain cookware within the oven might worsen with repeated usage, increasing the likelihood that it could eventually break and shatter.
Additionally, this poses a health risk. Food collected in the crack may act as a breeding ground for germs. Additionally, because leaching might occur, never use cracked, chipped, or old porcelain in the oven. Refrain from using porcelain cookware without a developed coating. This indicates that high-heat baking was not applied to the porcelain throughout production. The porcelain dish is, therefore, unlikely to endure intense heat.
Temperatures to Keep in Mind When Using Porcelain in An Oven
With porcelain casseroles, you can bake food safely and as hot as your oven would allow. Domestic oven heat is relatively modest in comparison to kiln temperature. Porcelain hence functions well as ovenware. Higher-end versions can often withstand heat up to 500°F (260°C).
However, lower-end ones cannot be safely heated over 350–400°F (177–204°C). Porcelain ovenware often withstands temperatures of 260–300°C (500–572°F). Instead of being made entirely of solid porcelain, some ovenware has a porcelain enamel coating.
A cast-iron casserole dish with a porcelain enamel finish would be an illustration. Some porcelain-enameled containers may withstand oven temperatures of up to 204 °C (400 °F), while others can withstand heat up to 260 °C (500 °F). Once more, it is preferable to refer to the user guide for the brand of your choice.
What Are the Risks of Using Porcelain in An Oven?
The most significant danger to porcelain cookware is thermal shock, which all oven-safe porcelain items must avoid. Porcelain cannot withstand a quick shift in temperature due to its chemical makeup. Thermal shock happens in this situation, which usually ruins your porcelain object.
When your porcelain is exposed to intense heat and abruptly low temperatures, thermal shock can cause damage. Place your porcelain in the oven as it preheats to protect it from excessive temperatures and prevent any shock from putting the bakeware into a hot, prepared oven. When switching from hot to cold, avoid thermal shock as well.
You risk cracking porcelain bakeware when you take it out of the oven and set it down on a chilly tabletop. Use a heating pad beneath the cookware to shield it from the cold surface. Allowing your mouthwatering dishes to cool in the oven for up to 20 minutes before removing them is another approach to protect your porcelain against abrupt temperature swings and thermal stress.
It is dangerous to your health to use old or used porcelain cookware inside the oven, especially if you think it may have cracks. Food collected in the crack may act as a breeding ground for germs. Additionally, because leaching might occur, never use cracked, chipped, or old porcelain in the oven.
A coating made of glazes of metals like lithium, copper, or cobalt is present on specific porcelain cookware. When the metal glazing is broken or chipped, leaching happens. This causes the metal glaze to leak into your meal, endangering your health.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.