It's A Bad Idea to Protect Your Oven with Foil - Here is Why

by Product Specialist

You may put foil in your oven while cooking without thinking too much about it. Unfortunately, this habit can cause more problems than it solves. The following are just some of the issues you may experience when you place foil in a pan or directly on an oven rack:

• Foil on the bottom rack of the oven may not be able to withstand the heat and permanently damage the oven by melting on it.
• Foil reflects heat and can cause your baked goods to cook too fast.
• Placing foil on the bottom of a gas oven can disrupt the flame. This can damage your stove as well as cause your food to be undercooked.

People use foil in the oven because they want to protect it from spills. However, better and safer options exist.

Alternatives to Using Foil in the Oven
If you are baking a pie, homemade bread, or something else you're concerned will spill over the pan, place the pan on a cookie sheet. It will catch the spillage without causing damage to your oven and you can place both the pan and the cookie sheet in the dishwasher when you're done. Silicone oven liners are another good choice since they resist heat and are non-reflective. They are not appropriate for gas ovens, but work well in convection or electric ovens.

Wipe the Oven Clean After Each Use
No matter what you decide to use to protect your oven, the food you cook may still leave stains. Using a soft towel with soap and water after each use prevents the stains from setting in.