Can You Put A Pizza Box In The Oven? (Fire Risks, Safe Alternatives And Tips)

This is a fairly common question, especially among those wanting to keep their pizza warm or reheat it without making an oven tray dirty. This method has some appeal because it is convenient - simply put the entire box in. However, there are risks that you should not ignore.

Cardboard is a flammable material, and oven heat can cause ignition, even at moderate levels. It could also release toxins from ink and adhesives. Some might wonder can I heat up a pizza box in the oven, but doing so is not advisable unless the box explicitly states that it is oven-safe.

There is a persistent myth that warming pizza this way is harmless. The reality is that the risks outweigh the convenience. If you are curious about warming a pizza box in the oven, the answer is simple: it is far safer to use an oven-safe tray and ditch the cardboard completely. The same goes for hamburger boxes.

There are many who wonder if you can put a cardboard box in the oven when reheating leftovers. The short answer is no. Cardboard may seem quite inconspicuous for this, but it is a highly flammable material made from paper fibers, sometimes treated with glues or coatings, and it is not heat-safe.

Even if you think the oven is set low, a box could ignite if:

• The heat intensifies
• It is too close to a heating element

So can you heat up cardboard in the oven? It’s a risk that is simply not worth it. Even pizza cardboard oven inserts from frozen meals are only meant for brief use. Putting cardboard in the oven is no way to use these custom-printed items effectively, and you should transfer your food to oven-safe trays.

There are some who ask if they can put a pizza box in the oven at 170°F or lower, hoping this is a safe temperature. The guidance says that most cardboard ignites at around 400°F, but lower temperatures can still pose risks over time.

Even the pizza box over temperature at 170°F may gradually heat up as ovens fluctuate or have preheat cycles. That’s why it is still dangerous to put a pizza box in the oven at 350°F or lower. What’s more, cardboard contains ink, glue, and possible wax coatings, all of which can release harmful fumes when heated.

If you sell takeout pizzas, work with us to create custom pizza boxes with your branding and other designs to connect with customers. But be sure to warn them that these boxes are not safe to put in the oven - they are only for delivery.

Can You Put A Pizza Box In The Oven On Warm? 

Using the oven’s warm setting may sound like a safe way to keep your pizza hot, but cardboard can dry out, warp, or catch fire even at lower temperatures. The “warm” mode generally hovers around 170°F to 200°F, but ovens can fluctuate.

Over time, even minor heat may pose a fire risk. Moreover, you might forget your pizza is in the oven, and time and dryness increase combustibility. We do not recommend putting a pizza box in the oven on warm. Instead, put it on an oven-safe tray for risk-free reheating.

If your question is about warming up a pizza box in the oven to reheat your leftovers, we urge you to consider the risks. It may seem convenient to reheat pizza in the box, but cardboard is not built to handle direct heat.

Here’s what’s likely to happen:

• Soggy crust
• Uneven heating
• The box may ignite
• Inks and glues may release toxic chemicals as they heat up

So while reheating pizza in the box in the oven may seem like a harmless shortcut, it is neither the safest nor the most effective method. Instead, transfer the slices to some foil, a baking sheet, an oven-safe tray, or pizza stones. You’ll get a crisp crust, hot cheese, and no fire risk.

There is a common theory that starting with a cold over is safer, but this practice is riskier than you might realize. It doesn’t take long for ovens to preheat and, as the temperature climbs, so does the risk of the cardboard box combusting.

Will a pizza box catch on fire in the oven during preheat? Absolutely, it could, particularly if the box is touching the oven walls or the heating elements. You may believe that low heat is safer, but what happens if you put cardboard in the oven while heating is not easy to predict.

It doesn’t always take immediate high temperatures to cause a fire - it only needs enough time and exposure. There are not many types of promotional products that are safe to put in the oven, and you should never preheat with cardboard inside.

Frozen and delivery pizzas often rest on a cardboard insert, often leading to the question of whether you can put cardboard under a pizza in the oven. People often mistakenly do this, but it is risky.

Cardboard inserts are designed for temporary contact, not for baking at high heat. If you cook cardboard in the oven under a pizza, there is a risk, depending on the time and temperature. Short exposure at 425°F or below may not cause a fire, but it is likely to alter the taste or texture. The cardboard is likely to release unpleasant odors or chemicals, and it might cause the crust to not bake properly.

Anything involving cardboard is not the best way to reheat pizza - you should transfer it directly to the oven rack or use a backing sheet.

You might assume that branded boxes like Domino’s or Papa John’s are oven safe, but can you put a Little Caesars box in the oven, or those from other big chains? The answer is no - these are still made from standard cardboard with branded ink, glue, and coatings.

You may get a false sense of safety because these boxes appeal more durable. But you can’t put pizza boxes in the oven safely simply because they come from a popular brand. Even if the box feels sturdy, it remains a fire hazard if you put it in a hot oven. Studies show that cardboard is highly flammable, and no company designs its pizza boxes for reheating.

These boxes provide insulation for delivery, not oven durability. Don’t reheat pizzas in the box.

Let’s look at the broader question this article raises: can cardboard be put in the oven under any circumstance? Whether the cardboard is in a pizza box, packaging, or frozen meal insert, it remains a flammable material.

The ignition point of cardboard is around 400°F, but it can burn in the oven even at lower temperatures. Time and proximity to heat sources are the main risks here. Our advice is that you cannot use cardboard in the oven for any purpose, whether it be reheating leftovers or lining trays. Instead, use oven-safe alternatives like:

• Foil
• Baking trays
• Parchment paper

It is not okay to put cardboard in the oven to warm food as fire risks and chemical fumes are major concerns. It’s always best to use materials that are designed to handle oven temperatures.

It is a very real risk that a pizza box will catch on fire in the oven. Cardboard is highly combustible, with an ignition point of roughly 400°F, so putting it in the oven is a mistake to avoid when using these promotional products.

Even if the oven is set significantly lower than 400°F, cardboard can dry out and ignite over time. A pizza could burn in oven settings around 200°F, particularly if it is touching a heating element or exposed to rising temperatures.

You also need to consider things like leftover grease on the box, which could act as an accelerant. Even if there are no visible flames, cardboard could begin to smolder and release harmful fumes before it bursts into flame. Fire departments warn against placing any cardboard in ovens - it is a genuine hazard that should be avoided.

Rather than asking can you heat a pizza box in the oven, the safer question is how to reheat pizza properly. The best method is to use an oven-safe pan, baking sheet, or pizza stone at approximately 375°F to achieve even heating and a crispy crust.

Here are some suggestions:

• Line trays with foil for easy cleanup.
• If in a hurry, a microwave with a cup of water inside helps prevent the crust going rubbery. Just be sure to use a custom coffee mug or cup that is microwave safe.

Never assume that warming a pizza in the box in the oven is safe - it isn't. Skip the shortcuts and use proper cookware to keep your pizza - and your home - safe.

Putting a pizza box in the oven may seem like a simple solution, but these boxes are made for transporting food, not for baking. They are made from cardboard and often coating in wax or printed with ink, sealed in glue.

Essentially, these are materials that are not heat-resistant and may release toxins when exposed to heat. So, why can’t you heat a pizza box in the oven? Because the cardboard may catch fire and the materials are not food-safe under heat. Also, there’s no need to put a cardboard fried food holder in the oven - baking trays and oven pans exist for a reason.

Even if it seems like a time-saver, putting cardboard under pizza in the oven is a mistake. A pizza box is for insulation and delivery, not for cooking. That’s why fire departments and professionals discourage this practice.