Who doesn’t like to make some delighted foods or bake delicious cakes for their loved ones? But, while baking or cooking in OTG or microwave ovens many questions regarding the safety and right process come to our mind and make the whole technique a little confusing for us. One of such questions is, can l use steel utensils or containers for baking or cooking in an oven, like OTG?So today in this article we are gonna discuss whether it’s okay to put steel utensils in an Oven for cooking or not, what kind of steel is perfect for oven use, and also many more other facts regarding this in a comprehensive way to help you out.
What is OTG?
Oven-Toaster-Griller which is popularly known as OTG is an old-fashioned traditional mini oven. Using this appliance you can bake cakes, toast bread, grill anything, and also reheat small amounts of food. However, though it takes a little longer to cook or bake something in OTG than the conventional microwave oven, there are many other benefits of it. OTG has heating coils both on the ceiling and the roof of it.
In the bake mode of OTG, we can make amazing cakes that are just like the bakery shops. Also, OTG is more budget-friendly than modern microwave ovens. That is why the popularity of this electronic kitchen appliance is increasing day by day.
Use of Steel utensils in OTG
In simple words, yes you can use steel utensils in OTG or other ovens. Steel is tough enough and can be mentioned as an all-rounder material for oven use. Most importantly you need to know that any oven-safe pans or utensils are perfect for use in the oven, and steel is one of the most important materials in them. Some examples of oven-safe materials are Metals such as aluminum, steel, and cast iron. But, always try to avoid utensils with non-metallic parts like wooden or plastic handles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind Of Steel Is Used In Cooking And Baking In The Oven?
When we talk about the use of steel in cooking, we are always commenting on stainless steel. Yes, stainless steel can be used in OTG and other ovens too. Whether it’s about baking or grilling in ovens or for general use for cooking, stainless steel is one of the most used, safe, and healthy cookware materials of all time. Stainless steel is made of chromium and nickel. Though the most preferred stainless steel chromium and nickel are in an 18/10 ratio, other types of stainless steel are also perfect enough for oven use and cooking. It has a shiny, attractive look and is durable enough for everyday extensive use.
Also, the melting point of any kind of stainless steel is a minimum of 1400°C, so don’t be afraid of using it in OTG or other microwave ovens, and remember this is rustproof too. Furthermore, stainless steel never reacts with any of the food ingredients. Thus it will never cause a change in the color or flavor of the dish you are preparing in your oven.
What are the drawbacks of using stainless steel utensils in the Oven?
Whether it’s about durability, easy maintenance, attractive appearance, or pocket-friendliness, stainless steel seems to be perfect for use in OTG but just like other cookware materials it also has some cons. While using utensils made of stainless steel in an oven, one of the biggest problems is the low conductivity of heat. This is the reason why it has become a little troublesome to cook or bake fast in an oven using a stainless Steel Pan. But to fix this drawback of stainless steel many new techniques have been developed. For example, bond layers of stainless steel with high conductive metals like copper and aluminum, thus a perfect stainless steel utensil is manufactured for oven use. Also using the “impact-bonding” method steel utensils are turning to be more cooking friendly.
What do we need to check before using stainless steel utensils in Oven-Toaster-Griller?
While using a stainless steel utensil in the oven you need to make sure no wooden or plastic handles are attached to it. Also, don’t use a very thin steel pan, try to use one with a thick metal sheet and heavy bottom.
Can we use stainless steel utensils for baking?
Yes of course you can use stainless steel mold for baking cake in the oven. The temperature produced in the oven in baking mode will not affect Stainless steel. The Physical resilience of stainless steel 4xx chrome and 3xx chrome-nickel stainless steel will certainly not create any problem 180°C to 250°C oven temperature. But as the heat conductivity of stainless steel is very low, so it retains heat for a longer time, so the outer layer of the cake can be a little crispier and hard as well.
What is Baking Steel?
Baking steel looks like a pizza stone but it’s a little heavier and costlier than that. It is made of steel and has a thickness of ¼ to ½ inches.
Also, as steel is a good conductor and the baking steel is thicker, it can retain a lot more heat in it and that’s why one can easily cook fast using baking steel in OTG or microwave ovens. Baking steel is also popular as the world’s best consumer cooking surface.
What kind of utensils are best for use in OTG?
There are very few oven-safe materials that can be used in OTG. When choosing any utensils for use in OTG two criteria need to be fulfilled.
- The material should not react with the food, as the temperature rises.
- It should have a higher melting point. However, some of the oven-safe materials that can be used in OTG are:
- Aluminum mold/tin.
- Glass container.
- Stainless steel utensils.
- Silicone baking mats.
- Stonewear.
- Ceramic or enameled cast iron.
Top 5 Steel Utensils To Use In OTG
Below you can find a list of the five steel utensils that are safe to put in OTG. Personally, I never had any issues with the sets on the list and I used them in OTG ovens, microwaves, and regular ovens. Sets are very affordable and they will give you a bang for your buck. There is a little bit of everything on the list so I hope that you’ll be able to find something that will fit into your kitchen accessories nicely. Just follow the instructions and use what you learned in this article. You will definitely use these utensils in a lot of years to come.
1. Complete Heat-Resistant Steel Set
This set with 29 pieces of kitchen utensils has everything that you could possibly need in your kitchen! From measuring cups to a wine opener. It’s made from high-quality steel that you can use in your OTG oven without a single worry. It’s extremely easy to clean and there are a few utensils that will help you to prepare your future dishes. Klee utensils which are manufacturers of this set also have a money-back option in case you are not satisfied.
2. Set With 6 Basic Pieces
If the previous set is too big for you then this one should do the trick. I’ll be honest and say that this was one of the first sets in general that I bought for my kitchen. It has all of the basic kitchen utensils including a basting spoon which you can use for moisturizing meat in your OTG oven. Don’t think that this is overpriced. The material used to make this set is silicon. It is highly heat resistant and it’s dishwasher safe as well.
3. OTG Safe Steel Oval Roaster
I’ll admit that this one is very pricey for most of my readers. But oh boy, does it deliver! First of all, it’s made by Viking Culinary Products. That speaks enough about the quality of the product. Second, this piece of cookware consists of three pieces. Roaster lid itself, lid, and the rack. The shape of the roaster is made specifically for heat induction so you can be sure that your roasts will have a taste of heaven in them. Finally, the beautiful metallic finish on this product is serving the purpose of a serving dish as well. If you are looking for an ultimate piece of steel kitchenware to put in your OTG, look no further!
4. Four pieces All-in-1 OTG Safe Set For Lasagna
If you are more into casseroles and lasagna, this set is for you. It’s extremely affordable if you consider everything that it brings to your kitchen. The set has 2 pans and two roasting racks of different sizes. The thing I like the most about this set (yes, I am using it when I am making lasagnas), is the ease of use. Pans are extremely easy to handle even though we are talking about steel. Finishing on the set is not as nice as it is on the one above, but I still serve meals directly from this dish.
5. Set of 3 Baking Sheets
Last on the list is the set that I am using for cookies and biscuits. You’ll get 3 pieces of pans that are varying in size that are ideal for making sweets. So far I had no issues with sticking and they are quite sturdy so I believe I will use them for many years. You can put this set of steel utensils in your OTG without any problems. Set costs just slightly above $30 so it’s more than worth it to invest in it.
Conclusion
I hope that this article sheds some light on the question regarding steel utensils and OTG ovens. Many people are still very suspicious when it comes to this. Personally, I never had any problems. If you are careful enough and if you follow my tips, usage of OTG ovens should become a breeze for you. Once you feel comfortable enough to cook in your OTG oven, you’ll see how delicious meals from it can be. I know a few people that very good with baking in OTG. Oh, the bread that they are making this way! It is almost the same as the bread that comes from the real bread oven. Heavenly delight in every way. All it takes is a bit of practice.
Enjoy and stay tuned for more cooking tips and recipes!
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