There are probably many paper plates in your kitchen as we speak. It is possible. Paper plates are a breeze to get, as they are quite cheap.
So, people often have plenty of them lying around in the kitchen. But that’s where the problem begins. Since most people have so many unused paper plates lying around, they may start nursing the idea of using them in the toaster oven.
If you’re one of such people, please read this post before going ahead with your plan. By the way, should one even consider using paper plates in a toaster oven?
We will answer this question and discuss more on plates you can use in the kitchen. Please keep reading!
Can You Put Paper Plates in a Toaster Oven?
The straightforward answer is no! Don’t even consider using paper plates in your toaster oven under any circumstance. Why? It is such a huge risk. The paper could catch fire, damaging your appliance.
There’s also a chance the fire could escalate if you’re not around to keep it under country. So, avoid using paper plates in the toaster oven at all costs.
Now, what are paper plates made of? It’s simply paper! And as you know, paper is highly combustible. It will even ignite faster under extreme heat.
How the toaster oven heats food is different from how the microwave heats food. A toaster oven uses a fan to circulate hot air, which helps cook foods evenly.
The microwave uses electromagnetic wave, which penetrates the food. Thus, you can use most paper plates in a microwave safely.
A Handy Tip: Any plate you intend to put in your toaster oven should be marked as “oven-safe.” If the manufacturer doesn’t state this, please seek other alternatives to be on the safe side.
What Plates Are Safe To Put in a Toaster Oven?
Plates that are safe to go into a toaster oven must have the “oven-safe” marking on them. Otherwise, do not put such a plate in your toaster oven.
However, plates made of certain materials are safe in a toaster oven. They include the following.
- Glass plates
- Ceramic plates
- Metal plates
Here’s what you need to know about putting the above plates in your toaster oven.
1: Glass plates:
Please note that not all glass plates are safe for use in a toaster oven. Some of them might not have the ability to handle the extreme and fluctuating temperature in the appliance.
Before putting a glass plate in a toaster oven, the first thing to consider is the marking “oven-safe.” It shows the plate marker has tested the plate and knows it can withstand the heat generated in a toaster oven.
You may also press ahead to determine the maximum temperature the glass plate can handle before throwing it into your toaster oven.
However, don’t use a glass plate if you don’t know whether it will be safe in your toaster oven. Instead, go for the glass cake pan.
Though shallow and smaller, glass cake pans are safe in a toaster oven. At least, you know you won’t be risking anything.
2: Ceramic plates:
Ceramic plates, such as earthenware and stoneware, are safe in a toaster oven. But ensure they’re made for such a purpose before doing so.
You have to also check for the “oven-safe symbol. It has to be the first thing you check before throwing any plate into your toaster oven.
It is important to note that the toaster oven heats unevenly, and the unevenness can be extreme in most cases. Thus, there is a chance your ceramic plate could crack even if it has the “oven-safe” marking on it.
However, you can choose ceramic plates that are sturdy, thicker, and durable. Such plates have better chances of withstanding uneven heating without cracking.
But please, if you are not so sure and don’t want to take any risk, use any safe alternative you know.
3: Metal plates:
Metal plates such as aluminum and stainless plates can go into a toaster oven. But please, ensure your stainless steel plate has the “oven-safe” marking before putting it in the oven.
This marking shows the manufacturer is confident that the plate can withstand the uneven and extreme temperature in the oven.
If you’re using aluminum foil paper, please ensure it doesn’t touch the appliance’s heating element.
Plates You Should Never Put in a Toaster Oven
Not all plates are safe in a toaster oven. So, be extremely careful about the things you put in your appliance.
Now, what types of plates are unsafe in a toaster oven? Take a read.
- Parchment paper:
Most parchment paper makers are against using the material in a toaster oven. Though they are designed to withstand heat, parchment paper can catch fire when it touches the oven’s heating element, which is possible.
- Styrofoam:
There is no reason for you to put Styrofoam in a toaster oven. Why? It is combustible and can’t withstand the heat the oven generates.
So, never put Styrofoam in your toaster oven. It could be highly disastrous.
- Plastic:
You can use certain plastic plates in a microwave, but you cannot do the same in a toaster oven. It doesn’t matter the types of plastic plates, don’t use them in the oven.
Why? As the heat increases, the plastic could melt, thus contaminating your food or starting a fire.
- Cardboard:
While the idea to reheat food in cardboard under low temperature in the toaster oven might seem appealing, the outcome may not.
Cardboard is a bit sturdier than paper. But does that make it safe to use in a toaster oven? No! Why? Cardboard can’t withstand the heat in the oven.
So, putting cardboard in the oven is a considerable risk. It could start a fire and probably, cause more damage than anticipated.
Can You Put a Paper Towel in a Toaster Oven?
No, you cannot put a paper towel in a toaster oven. It is not advisable.
Most sources claim paper towels can be used in the oven when damp and the oven’s heat lowered. Please, don’t take this advice. A wet paper towel will dry up still when exposed to heat over a certain period.
Paper towel is made from paper pulp, and thus, they can easily catch fire. The food you’re preparing will be burned and rendered uneatable when this happens. The heat may also damage the appliance and pose a serious threat to your property.
So, do not put a paper towel in your toaster oven for any reason. It doesn’t matter if you want to use it for a few minutes, and you would be there to monitor it. Paper towels and toaster ovens aren’t the best of friends.
Can You Put a Paper Plate in The Microwave?
You can put paper plates in the microwave. It is safe to do so. However, ensure the paper plate has the “microwave-safe” marking. It shows the plate manufacturer has tested and is sure it is safe for use.
However, please avoid paper plates with plastic coating or plates coated with other materials. Why? The material used in coating the plate can leach into your food, making it unsafe to eat.
In a nutshell, you can microwave plain paper plates, as they boast no coating. They are the types of paper plates considered safe for microwaves.
How To Know If Cookware is Safe To Use in a Toaster Oven?
You can determine if cookware is safe to use in a toaster oven in several ways. Let’s discuss how.
1: Consider the material used in making the cookware:
Plates made of metal, ceramic, and glass, are considered safe in a toaster oven. Why? They boast a high heat threshold.
These materials are sturdy, hardy, and can withstand heat. They also won’t melt like plastic or paper when used in the oven over a certain period.
Aluminum and stainless steel cookware can withstand extreme temperatures too. Thus, they’re safe to use in a toaster oven.
2: Check for “oven-safe” sign:
Does the cookware have the “oven-safe” marking? If not, please have a rethink before using such cookware. If possible, go for an alternative.
The “oven-safe” marking shows the manufacturer is confident the cookware can withstand the extreme heat in the toaster oven.
Now, where can you find the “oven-safe” sign on the cookware? Look under the cookware. If there’s nothing there, visit the manufacturer’s website and check for it manually.
3: Get the opinion of other users:
You can read about what others are saying about the cookware online. What have people been saying about the proposed cookware’s performance in the oven? If their report is good, you can go ahead and use the cookware. But please, sample the views of several users before you use any cookware in your toaster oven.
Conclusion: Can you put a paper plate in a toaster oven?
No, you can’t. Why? The paper plate is made of paper, which is highly combustible. So, a paper plate is not the kind of plate you should leave in your toaster oven.
Besides paper plates, certain materials are considered unsafe in the toaster oven. Examples include plastic, Styrofoam, and even cardboard.
These materials can easily catch fire and probably, damage your appliance. So, avoid them. You can check out the paper plate alternatives we mentioned, including determining if cookware is safe for use in a toaster oven.
