Before baking anything, your oven should be heated to the right temperature. If turning on only takes a few seconds, the oven could take a few minutes to reach the right temperature. The act of turning on the oven and letting it come to the right temperature is called "heating the oven." Because the oven takes some time to heat up, most recipes recommend turning on the oven before starting to cook. This article will show you how to heat both an electric and gas oven.
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Method 1 of 3: Heating the Electric Oven
Step 1. We recommend preheating your oven before cooking
Electric ovens often take 10 to 15 minutes before they reach the right temperature. This is enough time to prepare your recipe. If you need more than 15 minutes to prepare the ingredients, try turning on the oven halfway through the preparation process.
Step 2. Open the oven to make sure the contents have been removed
If you store items in them, such as baking sheets, take them out and put them away.
Step 3. Reposition the shelves if needed
Most racks are located in the middle of the oven, but sometimes the dish you are baking needs to be placed higher or lower in the oven. Follow your recipe guide, and if necessary, remove the oven rack and set it at the correct height. There is a narrow ledge on the wall in your oven for placing the rack.
- Dishes that should be crispy and browned on top, such as casseroles and lasagna, are usually baked on the top shelf.
- Dishes such as sponge cakes, pastries, and cupcakes should be placed on the middle shelf, unless the recipe says otherwise.
- Dishes that should be crispy and browned on the bottom, such as flatbread and pizza, are placed on the bottom shelf.
Step 4. Turn on the oven and set the temperature
To get the temperature right, you need to follow the recipe guide. The oven temperature is usually mentioned at the beginning of the recipe, in the first step. Simply hold the temperature control, press and rotate until the marker points to the correct temperature.
Step 5. Wait until the oven reaches the desired temperature
Most modern ovens have a setting that shows the current temperature or beeps when ready. Some ovens have a small light that turns on when the temperature is just right. This lamp is usually next to the temperature controller.
- Most ovens take 10 to 15 minutes to heat up to the right temperature.
- If your oven is older, it may not have a temperature setting number; You may only have a button to turn the oven on and off. If so, simply turn on the oven and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before placing the dish in the oven to bake.
- Consider using an oven temperature gauge. Sometimes the temperature in the oven is not right and does not match the temperature indicated on the temperature control. An oven temperature gauge, usually placed inside the oven, will show the actual temperature. Use this temperature gauge as a reference instead of waiting for the indicator light to come on or the oven to sound.
Step 6. Place the food in the oven and bake according to the recipe
Make sure the oven door is tightly closed, unless the recipe says otherwise, and don't peek into the oven. Opening and closing the oven door during baking causes internal heat to flow out which can result in a longer baking process.
If you plan to do a lot of grilling and use a lot of racks, position the dishes and pans so that they are criss-crossed rather than lined up. This allows the hot air in the oven to circulate around the food and spread the heat more evenly
Method 2 of 3: Heating the Gas Oven
Step 1. Ensure there is adequate ventilation
Gas ovens are gas operated and emit more smoke than electric ovens. Provide adequate ventilation, such as an open window.
Step 2. Open the oven and make sure there is nothing inside
If you store a baking sheet in the oven, you will need to take it out and set it aside.
Step 3. Adjust the shelves, if needed
There are recipes that require you to change the position of the rack in the oven because this determines the level of the grill. Refer to your recipe and arrange the shelves according to the guidelines. Just pull the rack out and put it back in the oven. Ovens generally have a shallow ledge inside to house the shelves.
- Some dishes, such as casseroles and lasagna, should be browned and crispy on top. This dish is usually placed on the top shelf.
- Cakes, pastries, and cupcakes should be baked evenly, and are usually placed on the middle shelf, unless the recipe says otherwise.
- Dishes like flatbread and pizza should be browned and crispy on the bottom. The dish is usually baked on the bottom shelf.
Step 4. Check that your oven is lit with a lighter or electricity
This will determine how you turn on and set the oven temperature. Most older ovens use a lighter, while newer ones rely on electricity to light. Here's how to determine if your oven is lighter or electric:
- If your oven is lit using a lighter, you can see the flame increase and decrease depending on the temperature.
- If your oven is electric, you won't see the flame until you turn on the oven and set the temperature.
Step 5. If the oven is lit with a lighter, turn on the oven and adjust the temperature
You may need to press the thermostat slightly before turning it.
- If your oven uses the gas mark instead of Celsius or Fahrenheit, you will need to change the marking. You need to turn on the internet and use an online resizing tool.
- Sometimes, lighters have problems or need to be lit before use. If so, make sure the temperature controller is in the off position and locate the lighter. Light a match and hold the flame close to the side of the lighter. If the lighter is on, get rid of the lighter. If the lighter doesn't light up, increase the temperature slightly.
Step 6. If your oven is digital, press broil or bake on the keypad, and set the temperature
Use the up and down arrows on the pad to adjust the temperature. Once you set the temperature, press Start. The number on the screen will change-this is the current temperature in the oven. Wait for the temperature to rise until it reaches the temperature you have set.
Step 7. When the oven reaches the right temperature, put the food inside
Gas ovens heat up much faster than electric ovens, so your oven should reach the right temperature in 5 to 10 minutes.
- The oven door remains closed, unless the recipe says otherwise. Do not open the oven door and peek at your food as this will cause heat to escape and prolong the baking time.
- If a lot of people want to bake and want to use up all the shelves, don't put too much food on the bottom shelf. This can prevent heat from reaching the food on the top shelf.
Step 8. Be careful if you smell gas
If you smell gas during baking, there may be a gas leak. Immediately turn off the oven. DO NOT use any electronic devices. It could cause an explosion. Open the window and get out of the house. Call emergency services using a neighbor's phone or cell phone. Do not use your cell phone inside the house.
Method 3 of 3: Heating the Oven in the Highlands
Step 1. Don't forget the height
A very high position will affect the baking time, temperature, and even the ingredients used. Most recipes are not made for height and therefore require adjustment. If you are at 3,000 feet (about 900 meters) or more, you will need to adjust your prescription.
Step 2. Increase the temperature for baking
When you turn on the oven, you will need to set the temperature higher than the one stated in the recipe. If you are at 3,000 feet (about 900 meters) or more, you will need to increase the temperature by 9°C to 14°C.
- If you are at an altitude of 7,000 to 9,000 feet (about 2,100-2,750 meters), consider extending the baking time.
- If you're at 9,000 feet (about 2,750 meters) or more, increase the recipe's temperature by 25°F (14°C). Then, once you put the food in the oven, lower the temperature back to the temperature indicated in the recipe.
Step 3. Shorten the baking time
As you increase the temperature, your food will cook faster than the recipe suggests. For every 6 minutes of baking time indicated in the recipe, reduce by 1 minute.
For example, if your dish needs to bake for 30 minutes, reduce the baking time, and bake for only 25 minutes
Step 4. Place the food closer to the heat source
Most of the bottom of the oven is warmer, and this is where you should consider placing your food to ensure they are cooked to perfection.
Tips
- If using multiple shelves, try spreading out the food items inside instead of stacking them in a row. This will result in the circulation of hot air in the oven more evenly.
- Consider using a temperature gauge if you have an electric oven. The temperature in the oven is not always accurate. Simply place the oven temperature gauge and use the temperature listed as a reference instead of waiting for the indicator light to come on or the oven to sound.
- Keep in mind that every oven is different, and you may need to bake your food longer than the recipe recommends. Similarly, your food may cook faster than the recipe says.
- Make sure you close the oven door tightly. Do not open the door while baking. You lose heat every time you open the oven door, and that means your food will take more time to cook.
- Sometimes, the temperature of a heating oven will drop when the door is opened.
Warning
- Some dishes don't require a preheated oven and can be directly placed in the oven while the oven is heating up. Follow the recipe guide.
- Allowing your oven to heat up (or heat itself to the correct temperature) is important. Not doing so can result in the food being undercooked or taking longer to cook. It can also cause your food to not cook evenly.
- If you are using a gas oven and smell gas, there may be a gas leak. Turn off the oven immediately and DO NOT use any electronic equipment. This can cause an explosion. Open a window, leave the house, and use your neighbor's phone or cell phone to call emergency services. Do not use your cell phone inside the house.
