Fall is the ideal time for French onion soup, bubbling gratin and melted cheese nachos. Many of these dishes taste best with a golden, crispy topping, which makes the oven broiler especially useful. But before you put your favorite ceramic bowl or baking dish under the heating element, it is important to find out if it can withstand direct, intense heat. Many ceramic dishes are meant for the oven, but not necessarily the broiler. Knowing the distinction can help you avoid broken bowls, broken bakeware, and unforeseen kitchen mishaps.
The Short Answer: It Depends on the Piece and the Label
All ceramic bowls and bakeware are not broiler safe. Most important is the manufacturer's care instructions for the particular piece. Some oven-safe dishes may not be safe for broiling because broilers bring strong radiant heat from above.
When purchasing oven-safe bowls, check to see if they are clearly marked as broiler safe. For example, vancasso's Starry 30 oz handled soup bowls are listed as safe for broiling, while its Simi 23 oz handled soup bowls and Starry bakeware set are described as oven safe. These descriptions are not interchangeable, so check the care instructions for each item before use.
The same applies to oven-safe soup bowls, ramekins, and oven-safe soup crocks. Items within the same collection can have different heat-use recommendations. If it is not clearly written in the instructions, do not broil, but cook using a safer method.
How Broiler Heat Is Different from Regular Oven Heat
Typical baking involves circulating hot air around the food, spreading heat around the oven. Broiling works differently. It uses intense radiant heat directed downward from the upper heating element, often reaching temperatures of 500°F or higher near the element.
This strong heat can warm the surface of a ceramic dish directly exposed to it much faster than the rest of the dish. This temperature difference stresses the material, especially if the dish is cold, wet, or already broken. This stress can cause thermal shock, or the rapid change in temperature that can cause a material to crack or break.
The position of the racks is also important. The nearer a bowl is to the heating element, the greater the radiant heat will be. If a manufacturer says it is OK to broil, follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the position of the rack and cooking conditions. Not all dishes safe for the broiler are safe at the same distance or for the same length of time.
Which Ceramic Pieces Are Typically Broiler Safe and Which Are Not
There are many different types of ceramic cookware, depending on the type of clay body, glaze, manufacturing process, construction, and intended use. Some are designed and tested for broiling, others are designed for normal oven baking or food service.
Stoneware is considered very durable and maintains heat well, but not all stoneware dishes are appropriate for the broiler. In case you are wondering, “Is stoneware oven safe?” the answer depends on the stoneware product. Good baking stoneware may not stand up to broiler heat.
Likewise, when you ask, “Is ceramic oven safe?” the answer is that there are many ceramic products that are oven safe if the producer says so, but ceramic is not a single object with the same heat resistance.
Read the care instructions on each handled soup bowl, gratin dish, ramekin, and soup crock separately. Do not broil parts that have metallic rims, gold or silver decoration, or other finishes not specifically designated for broiler use. Avoid using a chipped, cracked or visibly damaged dish when cooking at high temperatures.
How to Broil French Onion Soup, Gratins and Nachos Safely
First, make sure that the exact dish is broiler safe. Check your recipe for cracks, chips, or damage, and read the care instructions before preparing it.
To make French onion soup, cook and warm the soup and then pour it into an appropriate broiler-safe crock. Fill with bread and cheese as per recipe and set under the broiler at the recommended distance from the heat source by the manufacturer. Keep an eye on it as cheese can brown rapidly.
If you wish to broil the top of the dish after baking, use a baking dish that is designed for broiling. If it only works in the oven, finish the cheese or breadcrumbs on the baking tray in the oven.
Use a dish that will fit in the broiler and is large enough to accommodate the nachos without spilling. Toppings should be added before the dish goes under heat; make sure to keep an eye on the cheese. Do not broil an empty or dry ceramic container.
Do not place a cold ceramic dish directly under intense heat, if possible. Cook the food before and check the temperature of the dish and ingredients as per the manufacturer's instructions. Never preheat an empty dish unless the instructions for care say to do so. Handle hot cookware with oven mitts and use a dry heat-resistant trivet to set it on.
Mistakes That Crack Bowls Under the Broiler
One common mistake is assuming that oven-safe means broiler-safe. These labels refer to various conditions, and ignoring the difference can lead to a dish being subjected to heat it wasn't meant to handle.
Another error is to put a refrigerated or cold bowl under strong radiant heat. Rapid temperature changes can cause thermal shock, which can lead to cracking. Do not place ceramic between hot and cold, and heed manufacturer's directions.
The wrong rack position can also be an issue. If a dish is placed too close to the heating element, it will be exposed to the concentrated heat. Do not always use the highest rack, but follow the recommended clearance.
Other avoidable mistakes include broiling an empty or dry dish, using cookware with metallic trim, ignoring existing chips, and placing hot ceramic on a cold countertop. Always use the correct oven mitts, a dry trivet, and the care instructions provided with the product.
Watch for warning signs such as new cracks, unusual popping sounds, or visible damage. If you think that the dish is cracked, switch off the heat and let the dish and oven cool down safely. Avoid handling a potentially broken dish when it is hot.
Safer Alternatives When a Dish Is Only Oven Safe
Many great baked dishes can be made in a ceramic bowl that is oven-proof, but not necessarily broil-safe. The easiest option is to complete the recipe with the normal baking mode of the oven. The heat is usually not as intense as direct broiler heat, but it may take longer to brown.
If you are making French onion soup, bake the bread and cheese topping in a separate dish that is broiler-proof, and add it to the soup when serving. Alternatively, use a verified broiler-safe soup crock for the final step.
For gratin, allow the cheese or breadcrumb topping to brown during regular baking, following the recipe's instructions. When making nachos, melt the cheese in the oven and stir often to ensure the topping is melted to the desired consistency.
If you frequently prepare broiled dishes, consider keeping a clearly labeled broiler-safe dish specifically for those recipes. This makes meal preparation easier while helping protect your other ceramic cookware from unnecessary heat stress.
FAQs about Broiler-Safe Ceramic Bowls
Q1: Can All Oven Safe Bowls Go Under the Broiler?
Not all oven safe bowls are necessarily broiler safe. Please refer to the manufacturer's care instructions for specific broiler approval.
Q2: Are Oven Safe Soup Bowls Suitable for French Onion Soup?
They can be used in the oven if so directed in care instructions to heat or for French onion soup. But only bowls that are approved for broiling should be placed under the broiler for a browned cheese topping.
Q3: Can I Broil Food in Ceramic Ramekins?
Some ramekins are suitable for use in the broiler, others only for baking or service. Check the instructions for the specific product before using.
Q4: Are Stoneware Soup Crocks Safe Under Direct Heat?
Not necessarily. The safety of broilers is not guaranteed by stoneware construction. Do not use soup crocks under the broiler unless the manufacturer has specifically stated it is approved for this purpose.
Q5: What Should I Do if My Ceramic Bowl Develops a Crack?
Do not use the broken plate for cooking. Let it cool down safely before touching it and never heat it further as the crack may grow and the dish may break.
