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A Good Housekeeping report citing AO.com appliance expert Jade Golding-Gault advises against storing sheet pans and other cookware in an oven. Items left inside during cooking can affect heat circulation, while forgotten items may be damaged or create a fire risk if they are not oven-safe.
A Good Housekeeping report citing AO.com appliance expert Jade Golding-Gault advises households to avoid storing sheet pans and other cookware in the oven, because items left inside during cooking can interfere with heat circulation and may be forgotten when the appliance is switched on. The report says that can affect cooking, damage cookware or, if the stored item is not heat-safe, create a fire risk.
Golding-Gault told Good Housekeeping that pans and trays inside an operating oven can restrict airflow and make heat circulate less efficiently. The effect depends on the item’s size and position and the oven setting. A large pan on the oven floor may obstruct airflow in a fan-assisted oven; in a conventional oven, a tray on the lowest shelf can absorb heat from below. The report says either situation may contribute to uneven cooking and make the oven work harder.
The report also describes possible extra energy use and wear on the appliance if cooking takes longer. It gives a cost illustration based on figures attributed to comparison site Go Compare: a 2,000-watt electric oven is listed at 53 pence per hour of use, or £192.36 per year. The source estimates that an extra 10 minutes of oven use per hour could add £30 over a year. These are source-provided estimates, not a measurement of the effect of storing a pan, and the report does not specify the assumptions behind the annual calculation.
Repeated heating may also discolor or degrade cookware, Golding-Gault said, especially if it is not designed for prolonged high temperatures. She warned that non-oven-safe items, plastic or rubber handles and food packaging could melt or become damaged; some situations may present a fire risk. Her advice is to check that the oven is empty before turning it on.
How Stored Pans Can Affect Cooking
The main practical concern is an item being left in the oven during use. Its position can alter airflow or absorb heat, potentially changing how evenly food cooks. An oven that takes longer to cook food may also use more energy, though the report offers an illustrative estimate rather than a universal saving or cost figure.
The risk extends beyond cookware designed for oven use. A stored item that is not heat-safe can melt or become damaged, and Golding-Gault said some cases may create a fire risk. Making a habit of checking the cavity before heating can help prevent those avoidable problems.
The Case for an Empty Oven
The report addresses a common space-saving habit: using the empty oven to hold spare trays, pans or tins. It distinguishes between storage while the oven is off and leaving items inside when it is operating. The cited expert’s concerns focus on what can happen when stored objects remain in place during cooking, as well as the chance that someone forgets they are there.
Some people place a tray on the oven floor to catch drips and simplify cleaning. Golding-Gault advises against leaving a tray there. The report instead suggests a reusable oven liner intended for that purpose, provided it is compatible with the specific oven. It says to follow the maker’s instructions, replace a liner if it is warped or damaged, and check its expected lifespan; the report says many last about six months.
““If items, such as baking trays or pans, are left inside the oven when it’s in use, they can restrict airflow and prevent heat from circulating as efficiently around the space.””
— Jade Golding-Gault, AO.com appliance expert, quoted by Good Housekeeping
Costs and Risks Vary by Oven
The report does not provide controlled tests measuring how much a stored pan changes cooking time, energy use or appliance wear. The £30 annual cost estimate is an example based on an assumed extra 10 minutes of oven use per hour; it is not presented as a guaranteed cost for households that store trays in their ovens. Actual effects would depend on the appliance, item and cooking habits.
The source also does not quantify the likelihood of damage or fire. It says some non-oven-safe items may create a fire risk, but provides no incident data. Its liner guidance is general: compatibility, care and replacement timing should be checked against the oven and liner manufacturers’ instructions.
Check Before Heating the Oven
Before switching on the oven, check that it is clear of stored items, including cookware, packaging and anything with plastic or rubber parts. Give spare trays a regular storage place outside the oven so they do not need to be moved before each use.
For drips and splatters, check the oven manual and the liner manufacturer’s guidance before using a reusable liner. Confirm it is compatible with the appliance, and replace it if it becomes warped or damaged. The report offers no further official action or scheduled follow-up; its advice is a household precaution.
Key Questions
Can I store a sheet pan in the oven while it is off?
The report’s warning focuses on items left inside when the oven is operating and the chance of forgetting them. For that reason, Golding-Gault advises keeping the oven empty before use.
Why can a pan in the oven affect cooking?
According to Golding-Gault, a pan can restrict airflow in a fan-assisted oven or absorb heat when placed on a low shelf in a conventional oven. The effect depends on its size, position and oven setting.
Can I leave a tray on the oven floor to catch spills?
The expert cited by Good Housekeeping advises against leaving a tray on the oven floor. The report suggests considering a reusable oven liner only after confirming it is compatible with the appliance and following its maker’s care instructions.
What is the fire risk from stored items?
The report says non-oven-safe objects, cookware with plastic or rubber handles, and food packaging can melt or become damaged when heated. It warns that some situations may create a fire risk, but does not quantify how likely that is.
Source: rss
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