Halogen ovens use a special halogen heating element in the engine cover to heat up more quickly than conventional ovens, as well as a fan inside the engine for better circulation and cooking results. Although a halogen oven differs from a conventional oven in many ways, it's actually quite easy to use this oven like a regular oven.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Part One: Basics of Use
Step 1. Choose a baking pan that fits into the oven
Before you start preparing the dish, make sure that the baking sheet or grill you are using will fit in the halogen oven.
- All types of heat-resistant pans or containers can be used, including those made of metal, silicone and pyrex.
- A halogen oven is smaller than a regular oven, so you'll need a smaller grilling kit. Make sure the utensils you use are smaller than the oven for easy removal.
Step 2. Use the recipe as usual
Whether you use a special recipe for a dish cooked in a halogen oven or not, just follow the serving instructions as usual.
- Recipes that specifically use the halogen oven can be applied straight away, from start to finish.
- For non-halogen recipes, follow the preparation instructions but adjust the temperature and cooking time accordingly.
Step 3. Be careful when using foil
You can wrap the baking sheet in foil if needed, but only do this if you can safely wrap the edges of the pan.
- Aluminum foil can prevent food from cooking too quickly.
- The fan on the inside of the halogen is very powerful, and the loose wrapper will be blown off easily. If the wrapping paper comes off, it can float in the machine and cause damage to the heating element.
Step 4. Consider heating a halogen oven
Set the temperature to fix the cooking temperature about 3 to 5 minutes before adding the food to be cooked.
- Many recipes don't mention the heating process because halogen ovens take very little time to reach high temperatures. Therefore, preheating your oven will give the best results.
- Some tools have a warm-up button. Pressing it will preheat the oven to (260 degrees Celsius) for 6 minutes. Others require you to set the temperature at will to heat it up.
Step 5. Place the baking sheet in your halogen oven
Carefully place the baking sheet onto the lower rack of the halogen oven. When the pan is safely inside, cover the oven.
- Halogen ovens usually have a top shelf and a bottom shelf. Use the bottom shelf for grilling, baking, defrosting, steaming, warming, and a variety of other cooking methods. Use the top rack for baking, browning, or frying.
- Leave a gap of at least 1 cm between the roasting utensils and the sides, bottom and top of the oven. Doing this will allow for better air circulation and ensure a proper heating process.
Step 6. Set the time
Turn on the timer and adjust it to your needs. Press the safety handle after setting the time. A red power light will light up.
- Most halogen ovens can be programmed up to 60 minutes.
- Note that the oven will turn off when it reaches the set time limit. As a result, the oven can burn or overcook food if the food is placed in it at the wrong time.
Step 7. Set the temperature to start the engine
Turn on the temperature control button until you reach the temperature you want. If the time setting is set, the power light will turn green and the oven will automatically turn on.
- Be sure to put the cover in place before turning on the oven.
- Normally, the machine will not start until the safety handle is lowered to the correct position.
- Opening the oven lid in the middle of the cooking process will stop the cooking process. To return to cooking, place the oven lid on again and set the safety handle to the down position again.
Step 8. Lift the cooked food slowly
Most halogen ovens are sold with appliances to help you get your dishes out. If you don't have this tool or if you can't use it properly, use long tongs.
- Just like a conventional oven, the pan will be hot when you take it out. Wear heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands and wrists.
- Place the hot pan on a towel, cooling rack, or other heat-absorbing device after removing it from the halogen oven.
Method 2 of 2: Part Two: Cooking Time and Temperature
Step 1. Follow the halogen oven recipe as is
If you are making food with a recipe that is specifically made to be cooked in a halogen oven, you can use the preparation guide, temperature settings, and timings exactly as listed in the guide.
For non-halogen recipes, you will need to adjust the cooking time and temperature. Follow the general recommendations stated in the type of roasting process, or adjust the specifications stated in the recipe according to the cooking guide
Step 2. Write down the general recommendations for cooking times and temperatures
Since each recipe can be different, there are some general guidelines you can use when baking certain types of food in a halogen oven.
- Brownies: 18 to 20 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius)
- Bread: 10 to 12 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius)
- Layer cake: 18 to 20 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius)
- Pastry: 30 to 35 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius)
- Cornbread: 18 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius)
- Confectionery cake: 8 to 20 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius)
- Rolls: 10 to 12 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius)
- Muffins: 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius)
- Dessert and crispy pies: 8 to 10 minutes at 390 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius)
- Pie with filling and without crust: 25 to 30 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius)
- Pie with filling and two layers of crust: 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius)
- Rolls: 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius)
- Loave loaf: 25 to 30 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius)
Step 3. Adjust the oven temperature when using a non-halogen recipe
When adapting a non-halogen recipe for use in a halogen oven, lower the oven temperature. If the dish has been baked according to the original instructions, the outside will be scorched while the inside may still be raw.
- For the cake recipe, lower the temperature to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).
- For other recipes, you'll usually need to lower the temperature of the dish covered from 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 40 degrees Celsius) in your halogen oven.
- Monitor food as it cooks through the oven opening. Some types of food may cook faster than stated in the cooking guide.
Tips
Note that the light in the halogen oven will turn off when the oven reaches the desired temperature. It will continue to turn on and off during the cooking process until it reaches a stable temperature
Warning
- Do not use the halogen oven outdoors.
- Do not use iron cleaners or harsh cleaners when cleaning the oven.
- Do not use the oven if any of the cables, plugs, or other components are damaged.
- Do not allow water to touch cables, plugs, or other components as this may cause an electric short circuit.
- Supervise children around halogen ovens. The machine is very hot, so children should not play around the machine while it is running.
