Since ceramic is basically heat-treated clay, it can withstand heat and is suitable for heating and reheating. But can ceramic bowls go in the oven?
Bowls made of thick ceramic or heat-protective glazing can go in the oven as they can withstand high temperatures. Thin and brittle ceramic bowls can’t go in the oven as they can crack at high heat. You can use heatproof ceramic bowls in ovens without exceeding the maximum temperature on the label.
Let’s talk about this in more detail now.
How Can You Tell If A Ceramic Bowl Is Oven-Safe?
The term “ceramic” is widely used for fire-treated cookware made of clay.
We can broadly divide ceramic into three categories:
- Earthenware,
- Stoneware, and
- Porcelain.
Earthenware is hard, brittle, and slightly porous. It absorbs water and doesn’t tolerate high temperatures.
Earthenware used for cooking usually has a protective glaze that makes it waterproof.
Stoneware is denser than earthenware. It can tolerate higher temperatures.
Porcelain is made from a more refined form of clay. It’s baked at very high temperatures exceeding 2192°F (1200°C).
So it’s stable, heat resistant, and a good choice for cookware.
We can’t assume that a ceramic bowl is oven-proof because it belongs to a certain category.
Although porcelain is heat-resistant and durable, some porcelain bowls are not oven-proof.
So, it varies from case to case.
Ceramic bowl manufacturers use the oven-proof symbol to indicate if you can safely place the bowl in an oven. This symbol will usually be on the base.
Sometimes, they may also indicate it on the packaging.
If you locate the oven-proof symbol on a bowl, you can safely use it in an oven.
The oven-proof label will usually also indicate the temperature that the bowl can withstand.
If the wavy lines are accompanied by the number 300, it means that you can use the bowl at oven settings below 300°C.
Don’t exceed this temperature as it can damage the bowl.
If the oven-proof symbol is absent, it’s not advisable to place the bowl in an oven.
Even if the bowl has heat-protective glazing, it may not be suitable for oven use.
Heating it to a high temperature may cause cracks and damage.
Recommended Further Reading:
- Do Ceramic Pans Have a Tendency to Stick?
- Is it Safe to Use Scratched Ceramic Pans?
- What’s A Heatproof Bowl? Are Glass, Ceramic, Etc. Bowls Heatproof?
Why Aren’t All Ceramic Bowls Oven-Proof?
Ceramic is one of the best types of cookware materials.
However, not all ceramic is created equally, so you can’t simply put a bowl in the oven because it’s made of ceramic.
Ceramic is made from clay. Different types of clay exist, and the clay used for earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain vary.
In all three cases, the clay is molded into shape and then fire-treated to make it stable.
Since the process uses high heat, the material is generally able to withstand high temperatures.
However, the environment in an oven exposes the ceramic bowl to very high heat.
Heatproof ceramic will adjust to the temperature. It will also cool quickly when you cut off the heat.
So the bowl will not undergo any damage.
However, if the ceramic is not oven-proof, the problem arises when you take it off the heat.
When you take the bowl out after heating it, the sudden fall in temperature can shock the material.
This condition is called thermal shock.
Thermal shock can make certain materials crack.
Depending on the type of material, the crack can be small or even shatter the entire bowl.
Now, you should remember that even a small crack can make the bowl unusable.
The crack will also be difficult to clean. It can also harbor dangerous bacteria.
If the crack occurs below the glaze, it compromises the structural integrity of the bowl.
You can’t predict if the crack will grow. So the bowl becomes unsafe for use.
Another factor to consider is whether the ceramic bowl has any metallic details.
Some ceramic bowls have metallic rims or designs on the surface. You shouldn’t place such bowls in the oven.
The metallic parts can become incredibly hot and difficult to handle.
The bright metal colors may also fade and tarnish at high heat.
Related Further Reading:
- Using Stainless Steel Bowls in the Oven: Is it Possible?
- Advantages of Using a Glass Bowl for Double Boiler
- Can Pots Go In The Oven? (Metal, Ceramic, Non-Stick, Etc.)
Can IKEA Ceramic Bowls Go In The Oven?
IKEA’s expansive range of kitchen products includes ceramic bowls. They are very popular and in high demand.
Although IKEA has oven-safe kitchenware, many products are not oven-safe.
So, you must check the specific product range and model to confirm whether it’s oven safe before using it for baking.
The IKEA website lists all product details, including whether it’s oven safe.
Locate the product name and browse through the “Materials and care” section.
If the product is oven-safe, it will be mentioned there.
IKEA porcelain bowls are generally not oven-safe.
However, their website will specify if they are microwave and dishwasher-safe.
If there’s any doubt in your mind, avoid heating or reheating food in the microwave in these bowls.
If you want oven-proof IKEA bowls, you may want to look at their glass bowls, which are usually oven-safe.
Can Ceramic Bowls Go In The Microwave?
Microwave manufacturers usually list stoneware and porcelain in the list of microwave-safe materials.
Most ceramic bowls can safely go in the microwave. However, it can vary from case to case.
It depends on how the ceramic was glazed and whether the constituent clay reacts to microwave radiations.
So it’s best to check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure.
The packaging of the bowl will usually indicate if you can safely microwave food in it.
You can also check the manufacturer’s website for confirmation.
Unless you have specific information that a ceramic bowl is safe for microwave use, it’s best to avoid placing it in the microwave.
Some ceramics contain metal oxides that get incredibly hot when exposed to microwaves.
These bowls can develop stress fractures when you expose them to microwave radiation.
This can compromise the integrity of the bowl. It may also lead to burns and accidents.
If a ceramic bowl has a metallic rim or etching, avoid using it in the microwave.
The metal can react with the microwave radiation and get tarnished. However, this is only a small problem.
The bigger danger is that the metal surface may produce sparks and lead to fires.
Now, you must also remember that a microwave-safe bowl is not always oven-safe and vice-versa.
Since microwave ovens and convection ovens work on different principles, you should check the suitability of a bowl for both these ovens separately.
Interesting Further Reading:
- Utilizing a Grill Pan in the Oven – Is it Possible?
- Can You Put Non-Stick Pans In The Dishwasher? [6 Ways To Clean]
- Can You Place a Wok in an Oven?
Can Ceramic Bowls Go In The Broiler?
Broiling uses high radiant heat from above. The cooking process is at high temperatures above 450°F.
Broiling is used for crisping delicate foods, browning casserole tops, and cooking meat.
Some types of ceramic can withstand the high temperature of a broiler.
However, not all ceramic bowls are suitable for broiling.
Manufacturers will usually specify whether a bowl is suitable for broiling on the packaging.
In the absence of such information, you should always assume that the ceramic bowl is unsuitable for broiler use.
In general, the thicker a ceramic bowl, the better it distributes heat and tolerates broiling.
Check the packaging or manufacturer’s website to confirm if you can safely put a ceramic bowl under a broiler.
