Every time we order a meal, we always have leftovers for the next day. Every morning we get up, put our leftovers in the oven, and walk away until it is ready. This is especially the case with pizzas. However, we know that pizzas come in a cardboard box. So, have you ever wondered if it is safe to put cardboard in the oven? Because most people tend to put the food directly in the oven without worrying about the packaging. While some packaging materials are safe, what about cardboard?
Can you put cardboard in the oven?
No, you should not put cardboard in the oven. It is seen that many people use cardboard in an oven, and they safely heat the food. However, cardboards are a highly combustible substance that has an ignition point of 427 degrees Celsius. Although they might not burn immediately because of the different mechanisms of an oven, there are chances of cardboards causing severe smoke and eventually catching fire if kept under that temperature. So, it is better not to use one in an oven.
But if you are still confused, refer to the explanations below to get a better idea.
Why can’t we put cardboard in an oven?
While many people use cardboard boxes in their oven without facing any issues and get their food hot and heady, it is not safe to do so. Cardboards are the first thing to burn when exposed to open flames. And even if an oven has better safety from the fire standpoint, certain reasons tell why one should still not risk it.
The first reason why one should not use cardboard in an oven is because of its ignition point. Cardboards have an ignition point of around 427 degrees Celsius. This means if you put cardboard in an oven under a temperature close to that degree, you are possibly creating a burning situation. And most foods like pizza bake at 425 degrees Celsius, which is too close to the ignition point.
However, the type of oven makes a huge difference. A newer oven will have an advantage because it has safe heating elements, and the cardboard will not easily catch on fire. But if you are using an older one with poor heating elements, the risks will be higher.
Another reason that adds up is that cardboard is made of recycled materials. Which means it might contain some amount of plastic or metals. Also, most cardboard packaging has anti-grease layers on them. When heated, these have a high chance of melting and leaking harmful chemicals into the food. That makes the food inedible.
Thus, it is recommended that one should not use cardboard in an oven. However, if you are still willing to, make sure you check for oven-safe labels or symbols on the cardboard package. And also, try to use a new oven with safe heating elements.
But, if you do not have either of the options, it is better to keep the cardboard away and save yourself from a fire.
