Polyethylene and polypropylene cookware
Quick answer
Polyethylene and polypropylene does not work on induction and does not go in the oven at all. A plastic board can be sanitised in a dishwasher, which a wooden one cannot. Deep knife scoring is the reason to retire one.
Conductivity and density are published material properties. Oven ceilings are what manufacturers publish for this class of cookware and vary by brand.
| Material | Conductivity | Induction | Oven ceiling | Reactive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tri-ply stainless clad | 237 W/m-K aluminium core, 16 at the surface | Yes | 600F | No |
| Five-ply stainless clad | 237 W/m-K aluminium layers, 16 at the surface | Yes | 600F | No |
| Disc-base stainless | 237 W/m-K aluminium disc in the base, 16 at the surface | Yes | 500F | No |
| Bare cast iron | 52 W/m-K | Yes | 700F | Yes |
| Carbon steel | 50 W/m-K | Yes | 600F | Yes |
| Enamelled cast iron | 52 W/m-K iron body | Yes | 500F | No |
| PTFE nonstick | 237 W/m-K aluminium body | Depends | 400F | No |
| Ceramic nonstick | 237 W/m-K aluminium body | Depends | 350F | No |
| Bare or anodised aluminium | 237 W/m-K | No | 500F | Yes |
| Plain stainless steel | 16 W/m-K | Depends | 500F | No |
| Lined copper | 401 W/m-K copper body, 16 at the surface | No | 450F | No |
| Stoneware and ceramic bakeware | 1.5 W/m-K | No | 450F | No |
| Tempered glass bakeware | 1 W/m-K | No | 425F | No |
| Wood | not applicable | No | Not oven safe | No |
| Polyethylene and polypropylene | not applicable | No | Not oven safe | No |
What is polyethylene and polypropylene?
Moulded HDPE or polypropylene sheet, used for cutting boards.
A plastic board can be sanitised in a dishwasher, which a wooden one cannot. Deep knife scoring is the reason to retire one.
How it behaves on the heat
Heat behaviour does not apply here, because this material is not used on the heat.
Conductivity and heat capacity are different things and it is worth keeping them apart. Conductivity is how fast heat moves through the material. Heat capacity is how much energy the material holds once hot. Cast iron conducts poorly and holds a great deal, which is exactly why it sears well: the pan barely cools when cold food lands on it.
Induction, oven and care
It does not work on induction. The settling test is a fridge magnet on the base: a firm grip means it works.
The oven ceiling is nonexistent, since this material does not go in an oven. Not oven safe at any temperature. Dishwasher guidance: Yes, which is its main advantage. It is not reactive, so acidic food presents no problem.
What it is genuinely best at
This material serves a supporting role rather than being the first choice for any particular cooking job.
Polyethylene and polypropylene cookware
- thetchry
THETCHRY Plastic Cutting Board Set of 3-Cutting Boards for Kitchen BPA Free
Under $25 Check priceBudget band; Amazon shows the current price - GORILLA GRIP
GORILLA GRIP BPA-Free Reversible Kitchen Cutting Board, Set of 3, Black
Under $25 Check priceBudget band; Amazon shows the current price - OXO
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Plastic Cutting Board Set - Double-Sided
2 piecesUnder $50 Check priceBudget band; Amazon shows the current price
Common questions
Does polyethylene and polypropylene work on induction?
No. The reliable test is a fridge magnet against the base: a firm grip across the whole base means the pan will work, a grip only in the centre means uneven heating, and no grip means it will not work at all.
How hot can polyethylene and polypropylene go in the oven?
It does not go in the oven at any temperature. Not oven safe at any temperature.
Is polyethylene and polypropylene dishwasher safe?
Yes, which is its main advantage. Even where a dishwasher is technically permitted, hand washing extends the life of almost every kind of cookware, because detergents are aggressive and the heat cycle is harder on coatings and finishes than anything that happens during cooking.
Can I cook acidic food in polyethylene and polypropylene?
Yes. This material is inert, so tomatoes, wine, vinegar and citrus present no problem however long they cook. That is one of the main practical reasons to own it.
What is polyethylene and polypropylene best at?
A plastic board can be sanitised in a dishwasher, which a wooden one cannot. Deep knife scoring is the reason to retire one. No single cookware material is good at every job, which is why a mixed kitchen outperforms a matched set at every budget. Choose each vessel for what it will actually be used for rather than buying everything in one construction.
