Can You Put A Pizza Box In The Oven? (Read Before You Reheat)

We’ve all been there. You ordered way too much pizza for the party (is there such a thing as "too much" pizza?), and now you want to keep those extra pies warm for the guests arriving late.

It’s tempting to just slide the whole box into the oven and set it to "Warm." It saves washing a pan, right? But as a pizza box manufacturer with over 20 years in the industry, I have to stop you right there. Please, don't do it.

Here is why putting that cardboard box in the oven is a bad idea—and what you should do instead.

Why putting a Pizza Box in the Oven is Dangerous

You might think, "Paper burns at 451°F, and my oven is only on 200°F, so it's fine." Not exactly. Ovens are tricky beasts, and cardboard isn't just "paper."

1. The Fire Hazard (It's Real)

Your oven doesn't heat evenly. The heating element at the bottom (or back) gets much hotter than the temperature on the dial to bring the whole oven up to heat. If your pizza box is too close to that element, or if the box is dry and brittle, it can ignite.

Also, remember the grease? That delicious oil from the pepperoni soaks into the cardboard. Grease-soaked cardboard burns much faster and at lower temperatures than clean cardboard. It’s basically kindling.

2. Chemical Fumes & Flavor Transfer

This is the part most people forget. Pizza boxes aren't just raw paper. They have:

• Inks: Your local pizzeria's logo on the lid.

• Glues: Holding the box structure together.

• Coatings: Often a thin layer to prevent grease from leaking through.

When you heat these up, they can off-gas. You definitely don't want your Margherita tasting like "burnt ink" or melted adhesive. Plus, breathing in those fumes isn't exactly healthy.

3. It Ruins the Pizza (Soggy Crust Alert!)

Cardboard is an insulator. That’s why we use it for delivery—to keep heat in. But inside an oven, it prevents the oven's heat from reaching the pizza crust efficiently. Worse, it traps moisture. Instead of a crispy reheat, you end up with a sad, steamy, floppy slice.

So, How Should You Keep Pizza Warm?

Okay, I’m not just here to ruin your plans. Here is the professional way to keep your pizza hot and crispy without burning down the kitchen.

✅ Method 1: The Baking Sheet (Best for Crispy Crust)

Take the pizza out of the box and place the slices on a metal baking sheet or cookie sheet.

• Temp: Set oven to 200°F (95°C) or "Keep Warm".

• Time: It can stay happy here for 30+ minutes.

• Result: The metal conducts heat to the bottom of the crust, keeping it nice and firm.

✅ Method 2: The Aluminum Foil Trick (Best for Moisture)

If you don't want the toppings to dry out (looking at you, veggie pizza), loosely tent a piece of aluminum foil over the pizza on the baking sheet. Don't seal it tight—let some steam escape so it doesn't get soggy.

✅ Method 3: The Pizza Stone

If you have one, this is the gold standard. Preheat the stone, toss the slices on, and turn the oven off. The residual heat from the stone will keep the pizza perfect.

Common Questions About Pizza Boxes

Can I put a Domino's or Pizza Hut box in the oven?

No. It doesn't matter the brand. Most commercial pizza boxes are made of corrugated cardboard which can catch fire or release chemicals when heated. Always remove the pizza first.

What is the max temperature for cardboard?

Cardboard generally ignites around 427°F (219°C). However, grease stains can lower this threshold significantly. Since ovens fluctuate in temperature, it’s never safe to test the limit.

Can I put the pizza box in the microwave?

Usually, no. Many pizza boxes contain metal staples or metallic inks that can spark in a microwave. Plus, the box is usually too big to rotate, which can cause dangerous hot spots. Use a microwave-safe plate instead.