Are Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Oven-Safe? (And Microwave-Safe?)

The chances are that you have come across many recipes that recommend that you mix and bake in the same stainless steel. However, there is a question I usually get asked most of the time – are stainless steel mixing bowls oven-safe?

I created this post to make sure that I answer this common question. This post will walk you through everything you need to know about stainless steel mixing bowls and whether or not they are oven-safe. 

Is It Okay to Use Stainless Steel in the Oven?

Yes, it is safe to use stainless steel in the oven, but only some – not all. This is because some stainless steel can discolor your oven after some time. Additionally, your handle can get too hot to handle, which could end up burning you. That is why you always need to confirm if your bowl has a stamp stating that it is safe to use in the oven. 

But why do people still use stainless steel in the oven? There are many cake and bread recipes that require an individual to use the bowl in the oven. And the catch is that you will have to use stainless steel in the oven if you want to try these recipes out. 

But it would help if you always remembered to be extra careful with whatever you do in the kitchen. If you use stainless steel in the oven, you need to take caution when removing it from the oven. This is because stainless steel bowls can heat up so quickly, which could end up burning you. 

Sure, stainless steel is better than other nonstick cookware when it comes to usage in the oven. As I have said, it is safe to use in the oven, but you must take some precautions before you can start using it in the oven. 

Precisely, you want to check the handles of the stainless steel bowl. These handles will always be different in terms of the materials used. Some handles are made of wood, while others are plastic. Wood handles will come in handy when you stovetop cook, but wood is not convenient for use because the high temperatures in the oven will make the wood split. 

Other stainless steel cookware also has glass lids, safe for use in the oven, according to many manufacturers, but the temperatures should not go beyond 450 degrees. However, if your cookware is all stainless steel, it can sustain temperatures of up to 500 degrees, and this is especially true with stainless steel that is thicker and of higher quality.

What Kind of Bowls Are Oven-Safe?

Metals, ceramics, tempered glasses, enamelware, stoneware should be safe to use in the oven up to 350 degrees. Any metallic trim cookware should never be used in the oven unless the manufacturer has indicated that it is safe to use in the oven. Likewise, refrain from using hand-blown glass in your oven. 

Sure, you are free to heat your stainless steel bowls up to 500 degrees, so let’s look at some of the heavy stainless steel bowls that you can opt for: 

• All-Clad Stainless Steel: These sets of stainless steel bowls are made by the same brand – All-Clad cookware. And while you might not like the idea of testing your precious cookware in the oven, rest assured that they will serve you well in the oven. 

• Vollrath Stainless Steel: The Vollrath stainless steel bowls feature concave bottoms to ensure maximum stability. You can find these bowls in different sizes. 

• Pyrex Bowls: The Pyrex glass was designed to sustain higher temperatures. That’s why Pyrex bowls will be very much safe to use in preheated ovens. 

• Crockery Bowls: Crockery bowls are safe to use in the oven, but you must never put the bowl in the oven when it is already way too hot. Also, you need to check that the bowls have a mark on the bottom to ensure that they are safe. 

Can I Bake Bread in a Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl?

Yes, you can bake your bread in a stainless steel mixing bowl. However, you need not preheat your pan if you want to bake your bread in stainless steel. This is because stainless steel cookware will heat up so fast, and the heat will not be evenly distributed, leading to burning your bread. 

It is essential to note that baking in stainless steel cookware is almost the same as you would do in other cookware. The only difference is that you will need to coat the inside of your bowl with butter or grease to prevent your food from sticking. Once you have done that, sprinkle dough. 

Use 500 degrees temperature for baking, but you need to note that this might take up to five minutes longer than when you use other materials. If by any chance you are cooking veggies, be sure to toss them in butter, then cook at about 350 degrees. 

A mixing bowl is one of the items that should never be missed in your kitchen as a baker. In some cases, you will need a bigger stainless steel bowl, while in some instances, you may be okay with a smaller one. Bigger bowls will help get adequate air in your product if you are mixing using your hand. Even more, a bigger bowl will allow for more space for your dough to rise. 

Stainless steel is great because it’s always clean and won’t easily get damaged if your little one drops it on the ground by mistake. Additionally, stainless steel bowls are wide enough to allow you to mix your dough more efficiently. What’s more, this cookware is easy to wash, and you don’t need to spend your whole time cleaning it. Unlike the plastic bowls, stainless steels enable cling-film to attach. 

Stainless steel is also affordable, doesn’t slip easily, and is lightweight. If you haven’t thought about using stainless steel mixing bowls in the oven, you can try it out and see if you’ll love the efficiency. At least, try and have an experience with it. 

Can You Put a Stainless Steel Bowl in the Microwave?

No, putting your stainless steel bowl in the microwave is not a really good idea because metals can damage the microwave or the bowl could get damaged, as well. Even worse, using your stainless steel bowl, in the microwave can cause a pop and a spark and make you think that your house has caught fire. Doing this will also not work because the microwave may not be able to penetrate through your bowl to warm the food. 

Maybe you have never known this, but what if I told you that putting your stainless steel bowls in the microwave could cause the metal to heat up so quickly because the metal usually has so many electrons that often get pulled by the microwave. The microwave’s path can be disrupted, causing arcing when the metal is crunched. 

If you want to put metal in the microwave, the only sure-fire bet is to use a flat, not crinkled aluminum foil. This will enable the electrons to have a wide area to vibrate while limiting the many places they could as well have got stuck. 

Can You Put a Stainless Steel Bowl in the Freezer?

Yes, most of the stainless steel bowls are safe to go in the freezer. However, you need to make sure that you haven’t filled up the bowls to the brim. In other words, you need to make sure that you have left some space for expansion of the food placed in the bowl. 

Many mixing bowls usually come with lids to serve this purpose – not to allow food overflow when placed in places like the freezer. For example, if you want to make some chocolate chips and have more than enough dough, freeze until they can make new cookie batches. 

Sticking your bowl in the freezer is just fine. How you will package your food will depend on many factors, such as what you will use the food for, how you plan to reheat the food later, and the room you have in your freezer. A glass container with a lid will do if you are packaging the food for work. 

If you have used your usual containers in a hurry or say, there is still no need to fret – you can always put your food in the stainless steel cookware. However, you must also note that food stored in stainless steel cookware will go bad compared to food stored in airtight containers. 

Are Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Dishwasher-Safe?

Yes, stainless steel mixing bowls are dishwasher-safe. This is because stainless steel cookware will not corrode when exposed to acid or even base solutions. 

Sure, stainless steel cookware are dishwasher-safe, but you will need to be sure that these bowls don’t block any flowing water to the other dishes. Also, you need to note that there could be slight scratching or pitting of some stainless steel that are not of good quality over time. If you are not sure or the stainless steel hasn’t been labeled dishwasher-safe, just hand wash. 

It’s relatively straightforward to clean your stainless steel cookware through dishwashing. In cases where your stainless steel bowl gets oiled or even junked, use vinegar, and a high-quality detergent to wash. Also, instead of just using water alone, be sure to use warm water and soap. 

Because stainless steel equipment is affordable and lightweight, restaurants are using them to prepare meals every day. The best of all is that stainless steel bowls can work as double boilers, but note that they aren’t safe to use in the microwave, as I had mentioned earlier. 

Cleaning your stainless steel with steel wool or brushes will scratch its surface, which can make it rust after some time. Likewise, using chlorine will bleach your stainless steel cookware, and that’s not what you want, right?

Frequently Asked Questions