4 Surprising Things I’ll Never Use In Our Toaster Oven

Over 3 years ago, when I first researched and wrote this post my goal was to help people that were new to cooking with a toaster oven. At the time, there was a lot of conflicting information about what should and should not go in a toaster oven. Since then things have gotten even more confusing so I’ve given this post a mini update to reflect how we choose to handle glass baking dishes, parchment paper, and more when cooking with our toaster oven.  (Originally published 3-12-2017, last updated 9-11-2020.)

Glass baking dishes stacked on a wooden table.

Back in 2017, I said our readers are the best. I still think that’s true. 

Not only do they send nice and friendly emails, they ask great questions like “How Do I Use A Convection Toaster Oven?

Those questions take me weeks to research and write about. Always leading to another question that needs to be answered first.

Because before you can become a toaster oven cookie baking expert you have to know how to check the accuracy of your toaster oven’s temperature.

And every time Tim and I learn something new about how to use our toaster oven too! 

Today’s article is about something that comes up often…what we do and don’t use to cook in our toaster oven.

What Should You Never Use In A Toaster Oven?

Most toaster oven manuals agree that you should always leave out items made from the following materials:

  • Paper (including towels and plates)
  • Cardboard
  • Plastic (including lids and containers)
  • Styrofoam

What About Everything Else?

When we got our first toaster oven, Tim and I had no clue about how to cook with it.

It was startling to learn that some of our baking dishes and kitchen tools had specific directions stating not to use them in a toaster oven. I mean, when was the last time you actually read the outside of a box of parchment paper?

So to make things easy, we created 3 questions for anything we’re considering putting in our toaster oven:

  1. Does the toaster oven manufacturer say it’s okay to use that type of dish, pan, or accessory in their oven?
  2. Does the product manufacturer say it’s okay to use their product in a toaster oven?
  3. Do I feel comfortable using it?

After answering those questions about the bakeware in our cabinets here are 4 things I’ll never use in our toaster oven and the reasons why.

1. Glass Bakeware

While there may be companies that say their glass dishes are safe for a toaster oven, the majority do not. Even more confusing, a company can offer a single product line that’s marketed as okay for toaster oven use (for example Pyrex’s recently released Littles) while ALL of their remaining dishes are not. Clear as mud right?

So here’s what I know.

Roasted Green Beans in a glass baking dish with a pair of tongs.

This 8 x 8 glass Pyrex® baking dish was the first time I learned why most glass dishes are not recommended for toaster oven cooking.

After making a double-batch of our balsamic roasted cranberries I was cleaning up the dish and noticed something disturbing.

The glass was splintered and frosted in the corner. Almost like it had shattered within itself.

Arrow pointing to damage inside a glass baking dish.

 

I’d never seen anything like that before and headed to the Google box for answers. I spent a few hours reading in-depth articles like this one from La Jolla Mom and viewing lots of photos of baking dishes shattered inside of ovens. Seriously, how do you even begin to clean that up?

In addition, I looked up the manufacturers for the specific glass baking dishes that we owned. Both Anchor Hocking and Pyrex have general Use and Care Guides stating their dishes should not be used in a toaster oven. (Souce: Pyrex® Safety and Usage Instructions and Anchor Hocking FAQ

According to what I read, there are many reasons that can cause some glass baking dishes to randomly shatter (or fail) during or after use. Putting the dishes in a toaster oven is usually listed as one of them. (Source: Anchor Hocking Bakeware FAQ).

glass casserole dishes with a red over them

But what if a glass baking dish is designed for the toaster oven?

If the manufacturer specifically states a dish can be used, and the toaster oven manual says it’s a material that can be used, then I’ve just got to decide if I feel comfortable using it.

At this point, I’d have a lot of questions like:

  • What’s the company’s track record with shattering? (For this I’d check Facebook and Twitter)
  • If some of their glass dishes are not for the toaster oven, what makes these ones different?
  • Does the baking dish come with a warning that it could shatter if I don’t follow a list of precautions that’s longer than the manual for my toaster oven?

For me personally, I’m not sure if I’ll ever feel comfortable using glass in my countertop oven.

Setting aside the obvious pain in the rear of cleaning up a mess of shattered glass, my biggest concern is that glass could get in the convection fan area. I have no way to access that area and would not be able to clean it out.

With so many other available options, I don’t want to take the risk of ruining our countertop oven. It was a much bigger investment than any baking dish.

You can see some of the metal and stoneware dishes we use instead of glass in this post for 10 New Ideas for Toaster Oven Baking Dishes, Pans and Accessories. (FYI: You don’t need any of the dishes mentioned to cook with your oven, we do the majority of our cooking on the sheet pan that came with our toaster oven.)

What about older glass dishes?

Honestly, I have no clue. The internet is a large place. There may be someone who is very enthusiastic about historical bakeware manufacturing and is able to speak to every single individual piece ever made. I cannot.

2. Mason Jars

A few years ago mason jars hit their peak.

Suitable for more than just canning, you can find mason jars being used for creative on-the-go salads, overnight oats and some people are even baking cute little pies and cakes in them.

Small glass mason jars filled with nuts.

Unfortunately, Ball® the leading mason jar manufacturer says the glass in their jars “is not tempered for oven use and is not meant to be used as bakeware” in their FAQ. *They’ve since updated their website and moved the page I used to link to but you can read a similar statement from them on this mason jar article from Country Living. 

While mason jars are fine for storing yummy Rosemary Cashews, transporting salads, and making fridge oats they’re not meant to be used in the toaster oven.

3. Parchment Paper

If you read our cookie baking tips post then you already know that most parchment paper manufacturers, including Reynolds Kitchens, say you should not put parchment paper in a toaster oven.

Parchment paper box with the words "never use in toaster ovens" highlighted.

Instead, we like to lightly oil the pan or use a small silicone baking mat

4. Coffee Mugs or Coffee Cups

If you’re cooking for just one or two people, individual treats like these cake mix mini cakes or mug cakes are a fantastic idea for getting your sugar fix without a bunch of tempting leftovers.

But coffee mugs are probably not the best tool for making these desserts in your toaster oven. 

A variety of colored coffee mugs on a table.

That’s because most mugs rarely have Temperature and Use directions printed on them. So, I’m going to keep my favorite Sriracha mug out of the toaster oven and use a ramekin instead.

The Maybe Department – Aluminum Foil

  • Some manufacturers will include specific instructions for using aluminum foil in their manuals and sample recipes.
  • Others warn against it entirely.
  • Most manuals note that if used, do not let the foil touch the toaster oven’s heating elements or walls. That’s because aluminum foil can char or melt onto surfaces and catch fire in certain situations.

The best place to find out if foil use is recommended for a specific toaster oven is directly from the toaster oven manufacturer. If that info is not in the manual send them an email.

Spaghetti squash halves on a baking sheet covered in foil.

A Personal Choice

While we’ve used foil before, we’ve been trying to reduce our household waste and have been avoiding it for a few years now. Covering casseroles with a sheet pan has been working well for us and I don’t mind scrubbing our roasting pans.

Keep Your Crumb Tray Naked

ALL toaster oven manuals do agree on one thing. Covering your crumb tray with aluminum foil is a recipe for disaster.

Why?

According to the Breville Smart Oven Pro’s Manual, it will cause “overheating of the oven” which sounds scary on its own but then consider the following:

  • A layer of accumulated grease can be heated high enough to start a fire in your toaster oven.
  • Food that has fallen onto the foil will be elevated closer to the heating elements and could catch on fire.

NEW! This post about using foil in a toaster oven has lots more foil talk and links to some great toaster oven cooking tips!

Here’s What We Use In Our Toaster Oven

*Always review the manual that came with your toaster oven and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for materials that are acceptable to use in your specific oven.

There are two places I always check to see if it’s a good idea to use one of our pans or dishes in the toaster oven:

  1. The toaster oven manual. Look to see if the manufacturer has included a list of different types of cookware/materials that can be used in their toaster oven.
  2. The Use & Care Guide for the baking dish.  Unfortunately, I used to toss those when I bought our dishes. But after looking online it seems like most can usually be found on the product manufacturer’s website.

If you don’t have the manual or need more information, you can always reach out to the manufacturer directly. 

Metal Baking Pans

Metal quarter sheet pan and eight sheet pan side by side

For most of our cooking, a sheet pan gets the job done. You can see some of our favorite pans here: Toaster Oven Sheet Pans

We’ve also put together a post with all of the Toaster Oven Pan Sets and Bakeware we’ve collected over the years. 

Toaster Oven Pan Sets and Bakeware

Metal Ramekins?

An awesome reader named Susan emailed this week asking if we knew of any good metal ramekins. We were stumped at the time.

Then we stopped by Michaels because what’s a weekend without a trip to the craft store right? A quick trip down their baking aisle delivered these cute little square metal pans.

A package of square mini metal baking pans.

A set of four was around $11 before our 40% off coupon! Each pan is 3.49 inches, can hold up to 8 ounces.

To see these mini pans in action check out this moist and deliciously spiced Toaster Oven Carrot Cake.

Mini metal baking pans with fresh berries.

Cast Iron

We’ve had a lot of fun using mini cast iron pans to cook up tasty toaster oven dishes like this mini berry skillet cake or a toaster oven frittata for two.

A mini skillet cake topped with vanilla ice cream next to a spoon.

Yesterday, while at Target we spotted a display full of smaller cast iron pans.

A store display of cast iron mini pans.

One thing to note about cast iron is that it’s very heavy.

If the wire cooking rack is made with thinner tines it may not be able to support the weight of a heavier cast iron dish and could bend or sag.

Stoneware and Ceramic Dishes

All stoneware and ceramic dishes have the potential to crack in a toaster oven due to the uneven heating of the elements.

For every piece a manufacturer told me could be used, I guarantee you will able to find someone online saying it broke in their toaster oven.

A large blue baking dish on a white table.

I found this beauty, a 10 x 7 inch (that’s an interior measurement the handles make it closer to 12 inches) Le Creuset casserole dish for $19.99 at our local Homegoods. So far we’ve roasted baby carrots in it and made a tasty mixed berry compote.

The dish heated both recipes evenly during cooking and was a breeze to clean up.

After reading a few reviews about the stoneware cracking I emailed Le Creuset directly. Two days later they replied saying that as long as I could fit the dish in my toaster oven it was okay to use.

We also own an assortment of ceramic and ceramic-coated stoneware ramekins and dishes.

White ramekins stacked on a blue wooden table.

Most of them don’t have any heating or use instructions on the bottom. Though I was able to confirm with Sur La Table that the ceramic creme brulee dishes I purchased from them were okay to use in the toaster oven.

A white creme brulee dish

Why you should always check the Use & Care Guide for your baking dish!

Last year when I was checking out our dishes I read a general Corningware FAQ (*they’ve since deleted this page) that had a statement that it’s okay to use them.

White casserole baking dish.

So I felt alright about using our French White casserole dish in the toaster oven…But then while I was looking for an answer to a reader’s question I came across a different FAQ that says “All CorningWare® stoneware bakeware items are breakable” and should not be used…

on stovetop, under a broiler/griller, under a microwave browning element, in a toaster oven, or on or near any other direct heating source…

So even though a company may have a general FAQ, it might be different for the SPECIFIC DISH you want to use.

Corningware, like a lot of companies, has individual use and care directions for each of its pieces. The best way to know if a particular dish is recommended for use in the toaster oven is to visit their website and search for that baking dish.

On the product page click on the Care & Use tab in the middle and look for instructions or warnings about toaster oven use.

A ceramic pie plate on a wooden table.

With ceramic and stoneware dishes the yes and no’s will always vary.

If the Use & Care guide can’t be located, contact the product manufacturer directly.

Take our 15-year-old ceramic pie dish from Longaberger.

I had high hope for it since the bottom states it’s okay to use in the oven, dishwasher, microwave, and freezer.

But Tim gave them a call and a very nice CS Rep verified it was not okay for use in the toaster oven. She explained that because of how close the heating elements are to the pan it could heat unevenly and damage the ceramic.

Close up of a ceramic pie dish.

Using the Broiler

One last thing worth mentioning is that with the exception of the Le Creuset baking dish none of our other stoneware or ceramic dishes are rated for use under a broiler.

If we’re looking to crisp up an item or melt cheese with the broiler I find using the roasting pan that came with our toaster oven or a metal pan works great. 

63 Comments

  1. Hello.
    Thank you for the information, it’s been very helpful.
    I stumbled upon your website while looking for Corning ware.

  2. If you have the original French White bakeware, it may be safe to use in toaster ovens as it is made of Pyroceram. The Pyroceram is the glass-ceramic material that is supposed to be broiler safe in a full size oven. The ‘new’ French White is made of stoneware and as you have reported, Corning says is not to be used in toaster ovens.
    It’s easy to tell the difference between the Pyroceram and stoneware. Pyroceram is glass like, smooth, shiny and completely flat on the outside bottom of the pan. The stoneware version has a raised rim all around the bottom of the pan. The bottom part of the rim is unglazed and rough. Great thing is you can probably find Pyroceram French White in thrift stores.

    You may want to verify with Corning if Pyroceram French White is safe in toaster ovens for your readers.
    Terrific site and thank you very much for all your hard work!

    1. Hi, Derene!

      We know other people have used them but we’ve never tried them ourselves. Since they kind of fall under foil, you might want to email your toaster oven’s manufacturer and ask them for guidance.

  3. Thank you for this wealth of information on toaster ovens………..it certainly was an eye opener !

    1. Thank you for the information on what pans can be used in a toaster oven. I was so happy to hear my small cast iron pan is safe to use. Thank you!!!

  4. Nice to know about these things not to be use in a toaster oven!Some of it I knew already but I was surprise to some!Glad you shared this!

  5. Thank you for this article! I am thinking about buying a countertop convection oven. Is this the same as a toaster oven as far as what’s safe to use? I assume so. I’ve used a microwave for years, but when it started going when I opened the door, I have decided to ditch the microwave! I thought I could just use my pyrex and Anchor Hocking glass bowls, but learning I can’t. I like the little square pans you posted that I could use to heat up leftovers like spaghetti and such. Not sure about reheating stew. Any suggestions on that? Also, is there something we could use to cook frozen mixed vegetables? That might be a stovetop thing I suppose. Again thank you for your insight. I have bookmarked your page and will use your links if I decide on a purchase.

    1. Hi Amy!

      I’m so glad you found the article helpful.

      When it comes to countertop oven vs. toaster oven, I see them as the same thing (I’m sure others would disagree with me). My thinking is they ALL have heating elements that are closer to your food than a traditional oven.

      Also, while lots of manufacturers call their larger ovens countertop ovens (it does sound fancier), some manufacturers like Cuisinart use the term toaster oven for all of their ovens regardless of the size.

      Good quality covered baking dishes can be a little hard to find in the right size without the lid being too tall. We use a pair of small stoneware cocotte for soup and a regular baking dish covered with a sheet pan for larger items like enchiladas.

      Depending on how large your oven is and the strength of the cooking rack, a small dutch oven is a great option for reheating food too.

      You can find a bunch of good reader suggestions in the comments on this post https://toasterovenlove.com/toaster-oven-baking-dishes-accessories/.

      And you’re absolutely right about the microwave, we barely use ours anymore 🙂

  6. Thank you so much for this useful info. However, you did not cover enamelware. Is it save in my new toaster oven? I called the maker and HE couldn’t tell me anything, HE didn’t even know what enamelware was (glass like opaque coating on metal – a kind of hard gloss paint) I just got my oven and haven’t even plugged it in yet. Thank you again. Tina

    1. Hi Tina,

      Congrats on your new toaster oven!

      I sent an email to Falcon Enamelware, one of the major makers of enamelware. Their customer service quickly responded that their enamelware is heat resistant up to 530°F / 270°C and is suitable for broilers and grills.

      If you own a piece of enamelware from a different manufacturer, I’d suggest contacting them to get the care and use instructions for your specific piece.

      Happy Cooking!

  7. Thank You. I also have a new cuisinart. I am learning alot and needed to know what pans I could use. Since metal and cast iron are both ok I’ll probably stay with them. I’ve not used silicon but may give it a try. Again “Thanks”

  8. Hi
    My question is regarding cooking a roaster bone in breast in a cooking bag. It’s so hot here I hate to put my oven on. It’s approx. 3 pounds. I looked in the Breville book and found no answer. I was going to make a quick chicken soup for my son who doesn’t care about the weather and will eat it anytime.
    What do you think? Thanks

    1. Hi, Pat! That’s a great question, I assume you’re talking about something like the bags for cooking turkeys but smaller?

      If that’s the case, Reynolds has a great FAQ for their bags that you can find here. It’s about halfway down the page and you’ll want to click where it says “view all product FAQS.” Under the convection oven question, they state that they do not recommend using the bags in countertop ovens as they can melt.

  9. I’m happy I ran across your blog! While I was waiting fir my toaster oven to be shipped to me, I too was researching accessories for bc I know not all tools are made equally. I was most shocked by the pyrex information. I thought they were indestructible also! I’ve used foil a lot, but didn’t know it could melt! I am getting a metal set made for toaster ovens, but this post is for sure a great resource. Thanks for posting.

    1. We’re so happy you’re here too, Jamie 🙂 Congrats on the new toaster oven, we hope you have lots of fun cooking with it!!

  10. I wonder if original pyroceramic Corningware is safe to use; I hope I didn’t miss anything in the article answering this question.

    1. Hi RJ!

      No worries, you didn’t miss anything 🙂

      Corningware has made so many different pieces over the past decades there isn’t a good one and done answer to that question. To find out if your specific piece is toaster oven safe I’d start by looking at the bottom of the baking dish for information regarding it’s approved uses and also contact Corningware for more information.

  11. Hi Brie! I bought a toaster oven online that is smaller than it should be. I would say the smallest in the world. Plus it has only two knobs one is timer and the second one is to switch between the heating rods…….. No temperature knob!!!!!! I bought a muffin tin (the smallest one) that did not fit in it. I don’t know what to do..?

    1. Hi, Amna! That’s a tough one for sure, I’ve never seen an oven like that before.

      Since there’s no temperature dial, your oven probably has a single consistent temperature like 350 degrees F (since you can pretty much cook anything at 350).

      If there’s nothing in the manual about the temp, I’d email the manufacturer to ask.

      Another option is to pop an oven thermometer in there and set the timer for 20 minutes. Check it a few times over the 20 minutes and you’ll get a good sense of the average temperature.

      At that small size, finding baking pans will be a little tough but all hope is not lost yet.

      If a standard 6-cup muffin tin won’t fit you might want to measure and see if a 4-cup muffin tin will fit (they’re available on Amazon). We’ve also had luck baking muffin batter in mini loaf pans, mini 3-inch round cake pans, and individual 8 oz ramekins – you just have to bake the batter a little longer.

      Hope that helped a little and best wishes for happy cooking 🙂

      1. Thanks brie…. i just wanted to mention that my toaster oven has two heating rods (up and down) so what about them??

        1. Hi Amna, you’ll want to refer to the manual for exact directions but I’d try using both the up and down when baking (or making toast), just the top for broiling, and only the bottom to warm (or reheat) food.

  12. Thank you for your really marvellous and very helpful toaster oven hints. I am legally blind and as I have just purchased a Cuisinart Chef Countertop Convection Toaster Oven ( which I find remarkable intuitive to use ) I have found by struggling through your marvellous site it has help save me from what might otherwise have been some awkward pitfalls and for that I do thank you and indeed I shall continue to follow your helpful hints.

    George Kirkpatrick.

    1. Congrats on your new toaster oven, George! You made a great choice, the Cuisinart Chef Convection it super reliable and accurate. So glad to hear you’re already having fun with it and finding it intuitive to use.

      If you ever have any questions we’re happy to try and help.

      Happy Cooking!
      Tim & Brie

  13. HELP ! Farberware Air fryer Toaster Oven must be 8″ from wall and overhead cabinets ???? I,m ready to return before using . Walmart says it,s for safety.

    1. Wow, that’s a pretty big requirement, especially for the overhead cabinets!

      Most conventional and convection toaster ovens recommend about 4″ to 6″ distance between cabinets and walls. The Air Fryer feature is probably responsible for the increased amount.

      It’s for safety and performance. The exterior of most toaster ovens get super warm while in use and to work properly they need space to vent hot air from the top and sides.

      If you don’t have that much room available, I’d look at a few other ovens. For any that you’re interested in you can check out the manual on the manufacturer’s website to see their space requirements before purchasing.

  14. Yes, new Corning ware is not pyro ceramic. The inventor’s home is where I used to work. There’s an historical reference to it on a sign. I wish I could post I picture because I think its a neat piece of history in our area. Since Iuve near Corning NY, it’s easy to find the old pyro ceramic. I’m sure you can find them on Ebay. It costs more to make so they stopped. I bought up TONS of them. I can take a frozen meal and put it in the oven no problem. I have one that say broiler safe on it. It a very thin serving dish. The last ones I bought were a beautiful collection with flower shapes on the rims. Everyone panics when I bring it for a dish to pass and I reheat it on the stove top. And YES. They are toaster oven, freezer, stovetop
    Microwave safe. I hope this helps. I encourage everyone to go to you second had shop and buy a few up! NOTE: you cannot use the glass top in a toaster oven. Use foil or look for one that comes with a pyro ceramic lid. I have one and it’s my favorite! 🙂

  15. I have a large Cuisinart Toaster/Convection Oven. I use it amost exclusively except when I cook larger portions for guests. I bake in Corning Ware casserole dishes all the time (for years) with no problem in it. All my Corning is vintage. Modern Corning ware is not made of the same material as the vintage and IMHO….is not good for lots of things. So…hang on to your vintage Corning Ware for all oven use. If you don’t have any…head over to Ebay….or buy only the line of Corning that says its like the vintage. I believe they have a line of it. Happy toaster ovening!

  16. I am blown away by learning of all the pans/dishes that shouldn’t be used in my toaster oven. I live in a tiny home and don’t have a regular oven, so I use my toaster oven a lot. Without the information you offer here, I have used every pan I used to use in my regular oven. I bake cakes, pies, cookies, potato casseroles- – oblivious to the warnings. I am saddened to learn I can no longer bake as usual, baking for family get togethers,etc. Does no one else bake full-fledged. cakes, pies, casseroles in their toaster ovens? I am elderly on Social Security and cannot afford all the toaster oven pans you suggest. Do you suggest I stop baking like I have been with all the wrong pans?
    Though I am perplexed, I do appreciate the info you have provided. It’s just that I love to bake and I make all the cakes for our family celebrations!!

    1. Hi Lois,

      I know this information can feel overwhelming and frustrating at first, it was for us too. But hang in there, you may find you have more options than you think.

      The warnings we linked to come directly from the manufactures (we didn’t create these warnings – we just compiled them in an easy to find place).

      Personally, I’m of the belief that a company wants to sell their product to as many people as they can and are only going to tell me not to buy/use it for a good reason. So I’d suggest you follow the Care & Use instructions provided by the manufacturer for your specific baking dishes.

      Did you see our first suggestion of using metal pans? They can be found in pretty much any size or shape. If cost is a concern I’ve seen metal pans at yard sales and Goodwill – also family and friends are a good (and free) resource you just need to let them know you’re on the lookout.

      Growing up my family baked all kinds of goodies in metal pans and I know lots of readers bake pies in metal pie pans and full-sized cakes in 9×13 metal pans – there’s absolutely no reason you should stop baking!!

  17. I really like my Farberware toaster oven pan set I got off of Amazon 5+ years ago. They are metal and are still non-stick. Great for broiling filet mignon or baking bacon or a personal pizza.

    1. Hi Sheila! Thanks for sharing about your Farberware toaster oven pan set, we’ve got the same one and have been very happy with it too. The cake pan is great for making small batch granola!

  18. I am shopping for a toaster oven and want to get a smaller one that we can use in our small motorhome as well as at home. I want to be able to use pans I already have. Regarding using cast iron in a toaster oven: I have some Descoware (vintage enameled cast iron, predecessor to Le Creuset) small baking casseroles with lids that would fit a toaster oven. Can enameled cast iron be used in a toaster oven? Le Creuset does not specifically mention toaster ovens in their usage guidelines; I am waiting for a response from their CS regarding this question.

  19. I use “Bakers Choice” brand parchment, which comes in sheets rather than on a roll, and nowhere on its packaging does it advise against toaster oven use. Granted, it doesn’t endorse it either, but I have never had any issues.

  20. Any advice on silicon bakeware? If silpats can go in, how about silicon bowls/pans/cupcake bakers? Thanks! 🙂

    1. That’s a great question, Trish!

      I’ve baked muffins in the individual silicone muffin cups before without a problem but haven’t in a long time because cleaning all their little edges was a big pain in the rear 🙂

      But last year I did reach out to Boxiki, they’re a silicone baking pan manufacturer that has some neat products on Amazon. Their friendly customer service advised me that “Our product are best used in a regular oven.” And the Wilton CS that I spoke with said they’ve heard of people using their silicone pans in the toaster oven but had not tested it themselves.

      The overall vibe I got from everyone was YMMV or better said: try it at your own risk 😉

      Maybe some readers who’ve used silicone baking pans will chime in?

    2. Thanks Brie! I haven’t tried the silicone muffin pan I have, and probably won’t… 😛 Another question, though, for the extra-budget-minded- is it possible to use steel camping cookware? Pans, bowls? Direct exposure to fire and all… 🙂

  21. HIC (Harold Imports) baking dishes and ramekins are broiler safe. I would expect they would be safe in a toaster oven as well, if they can withstand broiler heat.

  22. Silicone bags on Amazon, Stasher is one brand. I looked on their website- said they are oven safe.

  23. Hello:)
    Thank you for sharing this amazing tips!

    I got a tons of paper cups for cupcake baking 🙁 so i should not never use this paper cups in toasteroven? I also use a baking paper sheet for cooking a chicken or any type of roast foods. should not be used in toast oven right?

    I’m used to use a convection oven but I’ve recently purchased a brand new oven which is a toaster convection multi oven. so confused if I can use paper cups or a cotton string for chicken legs. :s

    Thank you for taking your time to read this 🙂

    Marni

    1. Hi, Marni 🙂

      Those are great questions! Unfortunately, I haven’t seen a consistent answer for them. A lot of manufacturers of toaster ovens with a rotisserie feature have recipes with instructions for trussing meats with twine but some don’t. Same for the paper baking cups.

      Your best bet to make sure they are safe to use in your specific little oven would be to contact your toaster oven’s manufacturer and ask. If you have trouble finding an email or phone number for them let me know I’d be happy to help you locate their contact information 🙂

      Also, I’d skip the parchment paper or baking paper sheet.

      Happy Cooking!

  24. Any thoughts on using stainless steel in a toaster oven? I Googled it but that mostly yielded results for toaster ovens made out of stainless steel. Which makes me think, if there are ovens made of SS, it’d probably be fine to use SS in said oven… Anyway. I also trust your judgment the most in this area!

    1. Hi Vanessa, your logic is sound 🙂 The oven-safe baking rack we use with our quarter sheet pan is stainless steel and it does fine.

      I did a quick search on Amazon for stainless steel toaster oven pans and it looks like there are A LOT of options! Most items have customer photos and detailed reviews like this one: https://www.amazon.com/TeamFar-Stainless-Ovenware-Professional-Dishwasher/dp/B01L3L81IC

      If you end up with a favorite SS pan for your toaster oven, we’d love to hear about it!

  25. I am glad to find your site before purchasing a toaster-oven/countertop oven appliance. I was considering a small unit for my RV and another for the kitchen. I am not a cook at all. Another item to add to the Do not use list are some of the convenience frozen entree dinners. I am beginning to understand the reason being the close heat source. I will rethink the idea as I also have a range of glass ovenware baking dishes. These apparently will not be usable. The RV has a microwave which I sense may stop working and I gave up a microwave in my kitchen after the last one failed after a few short years. I used a toaster-oven back in my college day apartment quite often.

    1. Hi, Mark!

      Great tip on the frozen food containers, if they’re made from plastic or a coated paper they’ll usually be marked as “do not cook in a toaster oven.” If we’re making something like that, we usually transfer it to a small ceramic or stoneware dish.

      It’s such a bummer not being able to use glass ovenware in a toaster oven. To help, we recently wrote a new post with all of the different baking dishes we’ve found to replace our old glass dishes. You can see it here https://toasterovenlove.com/toaster-oven-baking-dishes-accessories/

      You might find Christine’s comment at the bottom of that post helpful, she purchased a low-wattage toaster oven for her camper and has a great muffin tin tip.

      Thanks for stopping by!

  26. We just bought a toaster oven!!!! So excited that maybe I’ll cook more?!?! Now I’ve read the skimpy users manual and decided to search and found your awesome site.

    I’d like some clarification: I’m an avid collector (you may say hoarder!) of vintage items. My Corningware is the original, as is my Pyrex. Can I use the old stuff in the toaster oven?

    Also, do I ever cover my food while it cooks in the toaster oven?

    Thanks so much!!

    1. Hey, Liz, congrats on your new toaster oven!

      Unfortunately, we don’t own any vintage Pyrex or Corningware so we haven’t had a chance to try either in our toaster oven. Maybe other readers have and will chime in with an answer?

      If we did though, I’d skip the Pyrex just to be on the safe side. To be super sure your Corningware won’t crack it’s probably best if you give Correll a call and ask them, here’s a link to their contact info. If you’ve got a 1 or 2 quart Le Creuset dutch oven in your collection that might be a good alternative if the Corningware is a no-go for some reason.

      You should cover your food when the recipe you are cooking calls for it. But make sure to check the “Important Safeguards” section in your toaster oven’s manual. Our Breville manual warns to be cautious because “as pressure build-up in a covered pan or dish may cause hot ingredients to expel or the dish to crack.” Also, they expressly warn not to use airtight containers.

      Recently, we’ve been using the large pizza pan that came with our toaster oven to cover casseroles dishes during baking and it’s been working out really well.

      1. Excellent and thanks for the quick reply! I’m using the pan it came with to cook bacon (yup, my first attempt!!) uncovered and I’m so excited. The manual is TRULY skimpy and has no information on cooking techniques so I’m hoping to do it right – or call them! I’ll definitely give Correll a call and I appreciate the contact information!

        Thanks again!

        Liz

        1. How fun, Liz!!! I hope your bacon turned out great 🙂

          Quick tip: once the toaster oven cools down, give the inside a wipe down with a damp cloth (don’t forget the ceiling) this will remove any bacon grease from the walls and keep your toaster oven cleaner over time.

          A great resource for a lot of different toaster oven cooking techniques, especially meaty items, is YouTube. If you want to perfect your bacon baking skills 🙂 there are a bunch of videos.

  27. I was ecstatic about finding your site. My gas range oven was recently knocked out when lightning took out the electonic control panel(a purchasing mistake that I will never make again) that operates it so I’ve been using my toaster oven a lot. Tonight I needed info on baking potatoes & there you guys were.
    I just wanted to point out that pyrex is not ceramic, it’s borosilicate glass. I’m not sure because I haven’t googled it yet but, I bet the Corning stoneware is a ceramic/borosilicate glass combo.
    Anyway, thanks for all the info. I adore your site. Keep up the good work.

    1. Thanks for the kind words and welcome to the toaster oven cooking club, Marie!

      Sorry to hear about your oven, I would have never thought that could happen to the electronic control panel (lightening!), such a bummer.

      Thankfully, you’ve got your toaster oven to keep you flush with baked potatoes 🙂

      You’ve brought up an interesting issue, the manufacturers we grew up with have changed the materials used in their dishes…
      Pyrex is now made with tempered soda-lime glass not the borosilicate glass.

      The old Corningware was made with pyroceramic glass that could go from the freezer to the oven and be used on the stovetop. The new Corningware, like our dish above, is now made from a ceramic coated stoneware and is not freezer or stovetop safe.

      Ugh, so confusing right!

      1. I have a couple of vintage Corningware baking dishes that came with detachable handles for stove top use – the Cornflower design. Corningware site says these are ok for toaster ovens, but no the clear glass lids.

  28. There is a safe way to use parchment paper in most toaster ovens, though it requires a bit more creativity than most cooks engage in. Fold a length of parchment paper around the sandwich, patty, dough, etc. which you wish to warm or cook. Then, fold the overhanging edges tightly up or staple them together (only on two sides), in order to make a “sandwich bag holder/pouch” out of the parchment. Then, repeat that same process to cover the outside of the “parchment pouch”, using a section of aluminum foil (though only fold the edges, don’t use staples for any reason). Fold over all three edges of the aluminum foil and you have a safe, secure way to warm or cook the contents, without risking fire or any potential aluminum contamination. Be sure to open the contents slowly and cautiously, to prevent steam burns, once the cooking/warming time is completed (you could puncture small holes in both layers of coverings, if absolutely essential, but this is highly unlikely to be necessary).

    Once the warmed or cooked food product has reached the cooked temperature desired, it’s possible to carefully remove that food item in such a way that that aluminum “jacket” will be reusable for numerous similar toaster oven activities (thus does NOT need to be a one-time-use-only-concoction – helping preserve our environment, while, also saving time). Potentially, (depending on how much oozing and dripping occurs within the parchment paper inner lining “pouch”), it may, also, be possible to safely reuse that paper part of the cooking “tool”, as well. Either way, this toaster oven cooking strategy is highly portable for anyone, from children to the elderly to transport “home-cooked meals”, especially for those perpetually living “on the go”!

  29. I regularly use a handmade heavy stoneware bowl topped with a Ruska plate as a lid. (Make-do casserole) So far everything’s been all right. The Corningware Etch looks nice as a replacement idea.

    Thanks for the info about parchment paper.

    1. Hi, Sande!
      Sounds like you’re doing a great job hacking your toaster oven 🙂
      The Corningware Etch is actually one of the brands that’s not toaster oven safe.
      Thank you for taking the time to comment. I’ve updated the post to make that clearer as I could see where it might have be confusing and that’s not very helpful 🙂

  30. Thank you so much! I am new to my toaster oven. I have my drip pan covered with foil as we speak! ? Yikes! I think I will only use the metal pan that came with the oven from now on.. Can’t thank you enough..scary stuff..Linda

    1. Welcome to the club Linda!

      Don’t feel bad about the foil, we’re still learning too 🙂

      In fact, we accidentally thought our crumb tray was a cookie sheet and practically ruined our first toaster oven.

      We’re working on a cleaning post for next month sharing all the embarrassing photos and everything we’ve learned since then about keeping a toaster oven clean.

      If you ever have any questions we’re happy to try and help. Good luck with your toaster oven cooking adventures!

  31. Hi Brie,
    Thanks for the hours of research! Great info! I always use the metal tray that came with my toaster oven and cover it with non-stick tin foil – yikes! But, have never had an issue. Since I cover the pan and the foil is not flapping around, it never hits the sides or elements so maybe that’s why I’ve never had a problem.

    I have also used my Pyrex ramekins! Won’t be doing the anymore.

    Thanks again!

    1. Hey, Suzi! It’s always so nice to hear from you 🙂

      The foil is a tricky one and more of a personal choice for sure.

      Like you we’ve always secured it tightly around the baking pan and never had a problem. I think the bigger issue is people covering the drip pan with foil which I gather happens way too frequently.

      And darn those Pyrex dishes! They’re the perfect size too…such a bummer.

  32. Thank you so much for this information. I’m one of your readers who emailed you asking about sources for toaster-oven pans. I’m off to our local Michael’s to check out the pans.

    By the way, our Wal-Mart has quite a large selection of Lodge cast iron. That could be another source for your readers.

    Thanks again …
    Olwyn

    1. Thank You for the great question Olwyn!

      I hope your Michael’s has them, I was pretty impressed with their small pan selection, had to keep from buying a mini springform pan set since we’d never use it 🙂

      Fantastic tip about the cast iron at Walmart, I’m sure many readers will appreciate the extra options.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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