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Can You Put Plastic in the Oven? Let’s Determine if This Is a Safety Hazard or Not.

As an avid baker, I am always interested in knowing what can and cannot go in the oven. It is important to know and understand what should and should not be near your cooking device to ensure that you do not cause a fire. Therefore, the thought came to my mind one day in the kitchen of can you put plastic in the oven.

I began doing research and read through several forums and articles to determine this sparked curiosity and decided to pass on the information to my readers who may have the same exact question.

I quickly learned that just because a plastic bowl says it is microwave-safe does not mean that it should go in the oven. After discovering this, I knew that I needed to educate myself and others more on plastic containers going in the oven. I look forward to helping you answer this common question because I can assure that you are not alone in wondering if you can put plastic in the oven.

After reading this article, you will officially know:

Can You Put Plastic in the Oven?

First and foremost, plastic is not something that you should put inside an oven that is on and heated. The plastic will start to soften when the oven reaches low temperatures, and it will completely melt once the oven reaches higher temperatures.

When this happens, the plastic will release fumes that smell burnt as well as chemicals that could cause a fire. It is critical to know that melting plastic in your oven and releasing these chemicals could also cause health risks.

As the plastic begins melting everywhere, you will have a mess to clean up. I must mention that this mess will be extremely hard to clean up. This will cause you more effort that you could have avoided if you thought before acting, which is why you are thankfully here reading my article.

If you really need to be able to put plastic in the oven, there is a special type of plastic that is called Crystallized Polyethylene Terephthalate (CPET). This type of plastic has been crystallized to make it resistant to heat. However, the temperature must stay below 400 degrees to prevent it from melting.

It is crucial to be aware that this does not mean that it is safe to use CPET plastic products in your oven; it simply means that CPET can handle the heat better if you must use plastic.

To learn what happens when you melt plastic, watch Roos Kraaieveld’s YouTube video in which she shows you what happens when she placed plastic strips in her oven. This video is very interesting, as you can see the plastic melted together and became very hard. I believe you will see why you should not try this.

Next, I will go over the temperature that is needed to melt plastic.

What Temperature Does Plastic Melt?

The answer to what temperature does plastic melt varies from oven to oven, but the most common answer that I was able to find is that it melts at around 338 degrees. However, it does depend on the type of plastic because Polyvinyl can melt as low as 175 degrees. It is a guarantee that any type of plastic will be melted at 500 degrees.

I recommend not experimenting to find out what temperature your plastic melts because it could become flammable or cause you to become ill from the fumes and chemicals. Just know that most plastics melt between 175-350 degrees Fahrenheit.

For an in-depth video on a type of liquid that will destroy plastic, check out TKOR’s YouTube video. This video goes over a liquid matter that consists of acetone and polystyrene and how it can destroy plastic. If you have a melted plastic issue that you need to get rid of, you may want to watch this video to find out about this special liquid.

After you have learned to melt plastic, I will now explain how to remove the melted plastic from the oven.

Removing Melted Plastic from Oven

Removing melted plastic from an oven is a very tricky situation. In fact, I think it is something that you should try to avoid as best as you can. The main reason is because it is difficult to remove. Luckily, many people have experienced this situation and have learned different methods to removing melted plastic from the oven.

One of the best techniques that I came across is to place a bag of ice on top of the melted plastic in hopes that it will harden it. After the plastic has become cold and hard, you should be able to use a tool to scrape it off. The tool that I recommend using is a razor blade scraper. This method can be done on a gas or electric oven. Remember to be careful, so that you do not mess up the interior of the oven.

If you would like to learn how to remove plastic from your oven burner, take a look at Andrea Peyton’s YouTube video. It is a quick two-minute video where she explains the process of removing plastic from her stove burners as well as shows you how it is done. If this has happened to you or you simply just want to become aware of what to do if it does happen, I believe this video will be beneficial to you.

If you are experiencing a different type of problem such as melted fabric on your cookware, my advice is to read my other article that explains how you can remove this melted fabric. In this article, you will read the steps to successfully do this.

Heat Resistant Plastic Container

As mentioned already, if you must use a plastic container in the oven, I suggest using a CPET container. This type of container is a heat resistant plastic container to a certain extent. The reason for this is because it will eventually melt once the temperature in your oven reaches 400 degrees Fahrenheit. I will tell you more details about the CPET container below.

  • It is made from crystalized plastic which increases its tolerance to high temperatures.
  • CPET containers usually can last in hot temperatures between 32 degrees and 400 degrees.
  • It is made of recyclable materials.
  • These types of containers can be used in the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher as well.
  • CPET containers are one of the most expensive plastic containers on the market.
  • It cannot withstand temperatures above 400 degrees. It will quickly begin melting and producing fumes that may cause illness, damage to the oven, or flames.

Since we are discussing items that you need in your kitchen, I think you should also consider purchasing an electric ice crusher. I have written an article on the best electric ice crushers that you can check out by clicking here. These handy devices will make your life much easier if you enjoy crushed ice.

Will Gas Melt Plastic?

Gas can melt plastic. Therefore, it does not matter if you have an electric or gas stove or oven. Either one is certain to melt your plastic container. As a matter of fact, when it comes to gas, certain plastics will soften, dissolve, or melt because they are made of the same chemical structures.

Since plastics are most likely made of polymers of hydrocarbon molecules, the hydrocarbons in the gas are able to interact with those in the plastic container. This interaction causes the plastic to begin melting.

If you are someone who cooks on different appliances and own the rock reversible grill, I suggest checking out my article here that explains how to clean this unique product. Even if you are only thinking about purchasing this item, it is essential to know how to successfully clean a rock reversible grill without messing anything up.

Useful Resources

Conclusion

I hope this article answers your question as to can you put plastic in the oven. This is a great question that I am glad that you took the time to research and come across my article for the answer. Anything involving an oven or stove can cause a fire, so it is important to be sure of what you should and should not do before baking or cooking anything. Happy cooking!

Cindy Becker
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