Frequently Asked Questions : Reynolds® Oven Bags

Frequently Asked Questions

Which oven bag for which job?
Oven bags are available in Large size in addition to the popular Turkey size.
 
Use Large size (16"x17 1/2") for:
Easy, everyday meals. For recipes serving up to 6.
Recommended for foods up to 8 pounds such as chicken pieces, pork chips, beef strips, medium size roasts, and turkey breasts.

Use Turkey size (19"x23 1/2") for:
Roasting whole turkey, ham, leg of lamb and large meats up to 24 pounds.

What to do if oven bags nylon ties are misplaced?
Cut a half-inch strip from the open end of the oven bag. Use it like a piece of string to tie the open end closed. Do not use plastic trash bag ties. They will melt. Plastic/paper covered wire ties should not be used. They can catch fire and cause the bag to melt.

Why do you add flour to oven bags?
Always shake one tablespoon of flour in an oven bag before cooking. This flour should remain in the bag during cooking to blend the fat and juices and to protect against bursting. More than one tablespoon of flour may be added to the bag for recipes with thickened sauces or gravy.

Why does the baking pan have to be at least 2 inches deep?
During cooking, meat juices and melted fat may collect in the corners of the oven bag. If the bag hangs over the sides of the pan, these meat juices and melted fat may touch the heating element, broiling element, oven walls, oven rack or floor of the oven. This may cause the bag to melt and to create a grease fire in the oven.

Can I use oven bags in electric roaster ovens or as a "boiling bag"?
Oven bags should not be used under a broiler, on the stovetop, on barbecue grills, in toaster ovens, countertop convection ovens, electric roaster ovens, or as boiling bags. The possibility of exposing the bag to the heating elements or to heat extremes makes these cooking methods unacceptable for bags.

Can I use oven bags in my slow cooker?
No, we do not recommend it. Try Reynolds® Slow Cooker Liners. They were specifically developed and sized for use in slow cookers, while Reynolds® Oven Bags were designed and sized to hold large cuts of meat for pan-roasting in the oven. There is enough of a size and shape differential between the products that we recommend using each product for its intended use.