With schedules becoming tight and people finding it hard to find time to cook at home, many people have started ordering takeout food more often.
This often comes in Styrofoam containers (which we all know can definitely not be put into the oven!) or aluminum dishes.
Some people aren’t sure if it is safe to put such containers into the oven to reheat the food as they seem rather flimsy. It also depends on whether we are talking about the microwave or a conventional oven.
Read on and we will make it all clear for you.
Can You Put Aluminum Takeout Containers into the Oven?
Aluminum containers are very convenient and are used a lot for food storage because they are fairly cheap to produce, are food safe, and are recyclable. They are also strong yet lightweight.
These containers are perfect for protecting food from contaminants, humidity, and oxygen. Many come with cardboard or plastic lids, making them stackable.
They are suitable for most types of takeout foods provided they aren’t too acidic. Studies have shown that acidic foods dissolve some of the aluminum, especially when heated, and this may be harmful when consumed.
Let’s assume our takeout isn’t overly acidic. Can it be reheated in the oven in the aluminum container it came in?
- Microwave Oven
Most people suggest that it is not advisable to reheat food in aluminum takeout containers in the microwave oven. This is because metal reflects microwaves, an effect that may cause arcing and may damage your microwave’s magnetron.
- Conventional Electric Oven
Aluminum takeout containers are suitable for oven use because they are good conductors of heat and will not melt. This means that the food will warm up quickly and fairly evenly.
Remember to remove the cardboard or plastic lid that covers the container.
As with any food, if you leave it for too long in the oven, it will char and burn. Be sure to keep an eye on your takeout food and remember that you are not cooking it but simply reheating it. It will not need a long time in the oven.
How to reheat takeout food in the oven
- The first consideration is your oven temperature. Avoid setting the oven temperature too high for reheating in foil containers. We suggest 175 degrees Celcius. Preheat the oven before putting the food in.
- Make sure you have removed the plastic or cardboard lid.
- Place the takeout container on a cookie tray or oven tray. Aluminum takeout trays are flimsy and tend to bend easily, making them difficult to remove from the oven. Using a tray to stabilize them will make for easy removal.
- Spread the leftover takeout food evenly in the dish, smoothing the top. This will ensure even heating.
- Set the oven timer. While we cannot give exact times because the container sizes differ and the temperature of the leftover food is unknown, we can make suggestions. Between 15 and 20 minutes should be enough time to reheat an average-sized takeout container.
- If you are afraid the food will dry out in the oven, cover the aluminum container with a piece of aluminum foil. This will act as a lid, keeping the moisture inside.
To Conclude
You certainly can put aluminum takeout containers into the oven. They can tolerate temperatures from minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
This makes them ideal for storing food in the freezer, reheating food, and even cooking food. The used container can also be rewashed after use and reused or recycled.
All in all, aluminum containers are our favorite and beat Styrofoam or cardboard hands down.