What Kind Of Plates Are Oven-Safe?

Placing your plate in the oven for a few minutes is a great way to keep your food warm longer, but you're probably wondering what kind of plates can go in the oven? If so, you've come to the right place. We've created this nifty guide to help you navigate the world of oven-safe plates by providing all the information you'll need right here in one place.

Oven-safe plate materials include:

Stoneware
Glass
Metal
Porcelain

There are some other things you should consider before placing a plate in the oven, like what temperature you should use when warming a plate. You should also double-check that the plate is oven-safe before you put it in the oven, but how? Keep reading to learn all about using plates in an oven.

Best Kinds of Oven-Safe Plates

There are several great oven-safe plate materials, but different materials also have different characteristics. While the materials we listed are normally oven-safe, plates with decorative embellishments may have other materials mixed in as well, so avoid using them unless you are confident in their abilities. Read on to learn about each oven-safe plate material:

Stoneware

Stoneware is a type of dinnerware formed from clay and fired at very high temperatures to create a smooth, glassy surface. This material can be heated to temperatures as high as 500 degrees without issue, and the thick material holds heat very well, keeping food warm longer. Stoneware is available in many different styles, shapes, and colors to fit your home's decor.

Euro Ceramica Stonewear Collection

This entire stoneware set is oven-safe up to 400 degrees, and it's gorgeous. Click here to see it on Amazon.

Glass

Tempered glass is a trusty kitchen material that handles high temperatures extremely well. Glass conducts heat quickly, so warming glass plates in the oven is usually pretty quick. Plates made of glass hold heat effectively, and the thicker the plate the longer it will stay warm.

FOYO 2-Piece Glass Plate Set

These glass plates can withstand temperatures as high as 750 degrees, and they're fairly thick, so they will hold heat for a while. Click here to see them on Amazon.

Metal

Metal plates are uncommon, but they are available and can be used safely in an oven. Plates made out of denser, thicker metals like cast iron will hold heat better than thin metals like stainless steel.

While metal may be a fun idea for occasional use, with daily use they may become cumbersome, especially if they are heavy cast iron plates. Never use metal plates in a microwave and never put cast iron in a dishwasher.

Happy Sales Cast Iron Steak Plate

This cast iron plate can be used in the oven or on the stovetop and includes a protective wooden placemat. Click here to see it on Amazon.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a clay material that is fired at slightly lower temperatures than stoneware, and it is one of the most common dinnerware materials.

Plates made of porcelain hold heat almost as well as stoneware, and they come in every color and design imaginable. Porcelain is also microwave and freezer safe, making it a versatile option and another great choice for an oven-safe plate material.

Sweese 11-Inch Dinner Plates

This six-piece set of dinner plates is elegant and oven-safe. Click here to see them on Amazon.

What Happens if You Put a Porcelain Plate in the Oven?

Porcelain is known to resist temperatures as high as 500 degrees. While it is very heat resistant, it needs to be heated and cooled slowly to avoid temperature shock.

If porcelain is exposed to extremely high or low temperatures without acclimation, it can crack or shatter. As long as the plate is at room temperature and you warm it at a moderate 200 degrees, you shouldn't have any problems.

What Does an Oven-Safe Plate Mean?

Oven-safe plates can withstand high levels of heat when placed in the oven without cracking or chipping. This can make it quick and easy to warm up a meal right on your plate. You can also heat the plate before placing hot food on it to prolong your meal's warmth.

How To Tell if Plates are Oven-Safe or Microwave-Safe?

Look at the bottom of the plate to see if there is any text or symbols that indicate whether or not the item is safe for use in the microwave or oven. You can also check the packaging that the dishes came in to see if they are safe for use.

As a last resort, you can try to contact the manufacturer with a picture of your item and see if they can advise you. Usually, if a piece of dinnerware lacks any of the standard use safety symbols, it is not compatible.

Are Microwave-Safe Plates Also Oven-Safe?

Not necessarily; ovens and microwaves create heat in different ways. Some materials will react fine to one heat source but can completely fail in the other. Plastic and melamine plates are usually microwave safe, but in the oven, they would quickly melt and could even ruin your appliance.

Metal is a great material for stovetops and ovens, but in the microwave, it can do serious damage.

At What Temperature Do You Heat a Plate?

While some of the materials above can withstand truly outrageous temperatures, you really don't need to get out of hand when warming plates. Placing your plates in a 200-degree oven for about 5 minutes will provide perfect results. Some heavier materials, like cast iron, may need extra time in the oven before they are ready.

Are There Other Ways To Heat Plates?

Yes, the oven is not the only option available to you for getting plates, and if you are using the oven to cook your meal, you may not be able to warm your plates at the same time.

You can use devices like electric plate warmers to heat your dinnerware while dinner finishes up. Depending on the plates you are using, you may even be able to heat them in the microwave.

Navaris Electric Plate Warmer

This plate warmer can accommodate up to ten plates at a time and heats them to 165 degrees in just ten minutes. Click here to check this out on Amazon.

Do Restaurants Warm Their Plates?

Yes, most high-quality restaurants warm their plates to keep the food hot longer. This gives the cook plenty of time to prepare the meal, the servers more time to deliver the meal, and the customer ample time to enjoy the meal.

Restaurants also chill their plates and glasses when serving cold food and drinks. Applying these tricks to your own dinner table will be sure to impress your next dinner guests.

Can You Warm Up Paper Plates?

No, never try to warm up a paper plate. Placing any type of paper or cardboard inside your oven or on an electrical heating device is likely to start a fire very quickly.

They do fine in the microwave, but that is the only heat source they should be exposed to. Paper plates are a dish best served cold.

Can You Heat Up Plastic Plates?

If your plastic plate is microwave safe, you could allow it to warm up in the microwave for a minute before plating your food. Plastic does not retain heat very well at all, so your plate won't stay warm for long.

Heating plastic can also allow chemicals to leech into your food. Although, this shouldn't be a problem with microwave-safe material, it is something to be aware.

Can Fine China Be Warmed?

You will want to check your China thoroughly to see if it is oven or microwave-safe before you apply any type of heat. China is traditionally made very thin, which makes it more susceptible to cracks under heat stress. It is also common for China to have metallic detailing to create an elegant look, and this metal can react badly with your microwave.

One Less Thing on Your Plate

Now that you know all the different oven-safe plate materials and how to heat them, you're prepared to serve a 5-star meal that will leave your family floored. Always use caution when working with high temperatures and hot plates. Remember to have fun cooking, and enjoy your meal.

If you need more information on what can be used in an oven, read our article "Are Glass Containers Oven Safe? [Here’s How To Tell]"

If you want advice on choosing a new dinnerware set, read our article "Do Corelle Dishes Break Easily?"