Cooking in the oven is much easier and healthier. But it is essential to use all oven-safe equipment for cooking to minimize the risks associated with ovens.
This article will explain if you can use rubber equipment in the kitchen and other related information you may want to know.
Can rubber go in the oven?
Oven-safe rubber can go in the oven without any issue. Rubber is usually used in the handle of kitchen wares and is designed to resist high temperatures up to 400 degrees F. But make sure the cookware you are using is oven-safe. Not all types of rubber can not withstand that much heat.
Ovens have reduced the efforts of cooking a lot, and it has been one of the most common appliances in most kitchens. It can cook various foods at very high and adjustable temperatures. But high temperatures come with increased responsibility.
So, we should be hundred percent sure about the oven’s safety.
Rubber is a long chain carbon molecule extracted from tropical plants (natural) or petroleum. We may not pay attention to rubber much, but it changed the paths of humanity. Its toughness, heat resistance, and elasticity make it an essential component of many appliances.
But can it withstand the temperature of an oven? That depends on the cookware that has rubber in it. If the cookware that has rubber in it is oven safe and designed to be used in the oven, the rubber can tolerate the oven’s heat without any issue.
Only rubber made for use in the oven can go in the oven. The good thing about rubber is that we can boost different attributes of rubber by adding other molecules or preparing it differently.
Polyacrylate elastomer rubbers are tolerant to heat, while nitrile is one of the most rigid rubber.
However, the main point is that not all the rubber is equally heat resistant. Only the rubber designed to resist high heat can tolerate the oven’s heat without changing its shape.
Low heat-resistant rubber is used in some cookware that is not usable in the oven. But if the cookware is oven resistant, you can use that in the oven without any problem.
Using typical rubber on the oven can be dangerous if used in the oven. The rubber will melt and can also cause a fire. So you always should make sure that you are using oven-safe cookware before putting that in the oven.
Most of the oven-safe cookware has an oven-safe sign on the back. But if you can’t find the sign, check the manufacturers’ instructions or search google to know if the cookware is oven-safe.
Rubber handles:
You can use the rubber handles of ovenproof cookware in the oven without any issues. But it will not resist the heat forever. The rubber can become softer and discolored over time. However, Some cookware have changeable rubber handles.
Rubber bands:
Rubber bands are not designed to tolerate heat. Rubber bands have high elasticity, but the heat resistance is really poor. So, you should not use rubber bands in the oven.
Rubber molds:
Molds have to tolerate very high and low temperatures. So, usually, rubber molds are oven and refrigerator-proof. But make sure to use quality rubber molds.
Rubber cupcake holders:
Rubber cupcake holders can go in the oven as the holders are designed to use for baking.
Rubber ice trays:
Rubber ice trays are freezer-safe, but not all the rubber trays are oven safe. So make sure the trey is oven safe before putting it in the oven.
Is it OK to put rubber in the oven?
It is OK to put heat tolerant rubber in the oven, but not all the rubbers are heat tolerant. Heat tolerant rubber comes with oven-safe cookware. Make sure the cookware you are using is oven safe, then you will not have to worry about the rubber.
If you do not find any clue if a rubber handle of a frypan is oven safe. Do not use it in the oven. A non-heat-resistant rubber will melt if the oven temperature exceeds 200 degrees F. It can also cause serious fire accidents if you are unlucky.
However, modern ovens are pretty smart and designed to protect you from such accidents.
But even if cookware with a rubber handle is oven safe, do not cook in an oven at 400 degrees F. Typical rubber can withstand 200 degrees F for about 20 min. Heat-resistant rubbers can withstand about 400 degrees F temperature for years.
Can synthetic rubber go in the oven?
Some specialized synthetic rubber designed to resist heat and can go inside the oven. Not all synthetic rubber is suitable for use in the oven. Let me explain it more clearly.
There are two types of rubber. They are natural rubber and synthetic rubber. Natural rubber comes from rubber trees, while synthetic rubber is made from petroleum.
Natural rubber is not very good at resisting heat, and they are not used for oven-safe materials.
Certain types of synthetic rubber are designed to resist high heat, and they are used to make oven-safe cookware. Most oven-safe rubbers can withstand heat up to 400 degrees F.
What happens when you put rubber in the oven?
Not all rubber is the same, and different types of rubber will act differently in the oven. Let’s divide this into two parts: oven-safe rubber and typical rubber.
Oven safe rubber:
High-quality heat-tolerant rubber is used for oven-safe cookware such as frypan handles. Here is what can happen when you put those rubber materials in the oven.
The rubber will be unchanged:
Heat-resistant rubber will be unchanged at 400 degrees F. You can regularly use that cookware in the oven.
Can become softer and discolored over time:
Even if the rubber is heat resistant, the rubber will get slow damage by the heat if you use it in the oven regularly. The rubber will become soft and discolored over time. It can take months to years, depending on the quality and the frequency of use.
However, it may get some damage, but it will keep you safe and will not cause accidents. So you can use those types of rubber without any worries. But make sure the temperature is not above 400 degrees F.
Typical rubber:
Typical rubber can withstand no more than 200 degrees F for a short time. So it is not suitable for putting in the oven. Check out what can happen if you put typical rubber in the oven.
Melting:
Using typical rubber in the oven can cause the melting of the rubber as regular rubber is not designed to withstand the oven’s high heat.
Causing fire:
If you put typical rubber in the oven, that may cause fire and damage life and property.
Health issues:
Melting rubber can release harmful gas into your food and cause health issues.
How do you know if the rubber is oven-safe?
It’s essential to ensure something is oven-safe before putting it in the oven. Usually, most cookware with rubber handles is oven-safe, but knowing that is not enough. Here are some ways to ensure that you can put cookware that has rubber in the oven.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions:
The manufacturer’s instructions will guide you on what you can and can not do with cookware. Read the instructions carefully, and there you will know if you can put it in the oven and what temperature the cookware can tolerate.
Check for an oven-safe sign:
Flip the cookware and try to find if there is an oven-safe sign. If you can find the sign, you can put it in the oven without issues.
Search google:
If you don’t have any idea if their cookware is oven-safe, search the cookware model on google. Google may have information about that.
How to protect skillet rubber handles in a hot oven?
Can you protect skillet rubber handles in a hot oven? Yes, there is a way to do so. This method may be necessary if you want to cook at a higher temperature than usual or keep the handle new for a longer time.
Wrap the handle:
Wrap the handle with two layers of napkin paper.
Cover the handle:
Cover the handle with two layers of aluminum fuel. The wet paper napkin will protect the handle from heat.
Handle the cookware properly:
Handle the cookware properly after cooking.
Final Thoughts
As long as cookware with rubber handles is oven-safe, it can go in the oven without any risk of damage. Oven-safe rubber materials can withstand 400 degrees F, but they will become soft and discolored with time. You can use wet paper napkins and aluminum foil to protect rubber handles.