OVEN USE
CONVECTION BAKING
Convection baking is baking with a fan at the back of the oven circulating the hot air in a continuous pattern around the food. This circulating hot air heats and browns the surface of the food more effectively than in a standard oven. This allows most foods to be cooked at lower oven temperatures or in less time, if baked at the regular temperature. The air is recirculated and reheated. Uncovered, longer cooking foods such as large pieces of meat or other foods that can be cooked in low sided baking utensils or air leavened foods, are where you will see the most savings in cooking time. Using multiple racks at the same time will achieve a good time saving, as you can cook more food at the same time.
Foods Suitable for Convection
Appetizers | Breads | Oven Meals (1 to 3 racks) |
Cookies | Main Dishes | Roasts |
Pies | Poultry |
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Air Leavened Foods (Angel Food Cake, soufflés, cream puffs, meringue shells)
REGULAR BAKING
Bake is baking with hot air; there is no fan. The air movement comes from natural convection. As the air heats, it moves to the top of the oven. This oven mode is the same as you have been using for baking on one or two racks.
Foods Suitable for Bake
Appetizers | Pies, Cakes | Breads | Poultry | Roasts |
Desserts | Main Dishes | Oven Meals (1 to 2 racks) |
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BROIL
Broiling is cooking by intense infrared radiation supplied by the broil burner element located at the top of the oven. Since broiling is cooking by radiant heat it is not necessary to use the convection fan in the broil mode.
Foods Suitable for Broil
Top Browning: Casseroles, Breads |
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Appetizers | Meats | Poultry | Fish |
CONVERTING RECIPES TO CONVECTION BAKING
Low sided baking utensils will give the best results as the hot air can reach all sides of the food easier. The oven temperature can be left the same as the recipe and the food cooked a shorter period of time. The temperature can be lowered 25ºF and the food will probably take the same length of time to cook as the recipe states. If you find that food is adequately browned on the outside, but not done in the center, lower the temperature another 25ºF and add to the baking time. When reducing the temperature always check the food for doneness, a minute to two before the minimum time stated in the recipe, as time can always be added. Some recipes will cook faster than others. There is no way to predict exactly how long each recipe will take when you convert it to convection. Convection will be easier to use after you have used it a few times as you will begin to understand the way it bakes.
SELECTING UTENSILS FOR CONVECTION BAKING
Cooking by convection does not require any specially designed baking utensils. You probably have many utensils in your kitchen that are suitable to use. When choosing a baking utensil, consider the material, the size and the shape as they all affect the baking time, the palatability and the appearance of the finished product. Metal bakeware (aluminum, steel and cast iron) all result in the fastest cooking time and the best end product.
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