Positioning Racks and Bakeware
IMPORTANT: To avoid permanent damage to the porcelain finish, do not place food or bakeware directly on the oven door or bottom.
RACKS
NOTES:
■Position racks before turning on the oven.
■Do not move racks with bakeware on them.
■Make sure racks are level.
To move a rack, pull it out to the stop position, raise the front edge, then lift out. Use the following illustration and chart as a guide.
Bakeware
The bakeware material affects cooking results. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations and use the bakeware size recommended in the recipe. Use the following chart as a guide.
BAKEWARE/ | RECOMMENDATIONS |
RESULTS |
|
|
|
Light colored | ■ Use temperature and time |
aluminum | recommended in recipe. |
■Light golden crusts
■Even browning
5
4
3
2
1
Dark aluminum and other bakeware with dark, dull and/or nonstick finish
■Brown, crisp crusts
■May need to reduce baking temperatures 25°F (15°C).
■Use suggested baking time.
■For pies, breads and casseroles, use temperature recommended in recipe.
■Place rack in center of oven.
FOOD | RACK POSITION(S) |
|
|
Frozen pies, large roasts, turkeys, | 1 or 2 |
angel food cakes |
|
|
|
Bundt cakes, most quick breads, | 2 |
yeast breads, casseroles, meats |
|
|
|
Cookies, biscuits, muffins, cakes, | 2 or 3 |
nonfrozen pies |
|
|
|
BAKEWARE
Hot air must be able to circulate around food to cook evenly, so allow 2" (5 cm) of space around bakeware and oven walls. Use the following chart as a guide.
NUMBER OF POSITION ON RACK
PAN(S)
1Center of rack.
2Side by side or slightly staggered.
3 or 4 | Opposite corners on each rack. Make sure |
| that no bakeware piece is directly over |
| another. |
|
|
Insulated cookie | ■ | Place in the bottom third of oven. | |
sheets or baking | ■ | May need to increase baking time. | |
pans | |||
|
|
■Little or no bottom browning
Stainless steel | ■ May need to increase baking time. |
■Light, golden crusts
■Uneven browning
Stoneware/Baking | ■ Follow manufacturer’s | |
stone | instructions. | |
■ | Crisp crusts |
|
|
| |
Ovenproof | ■ May need to reduce baking | |
glassware, ceramic | temperatures 25°F (15°C). | |
glass or ceramic |
| |
■ | Brown, crisp |
|
| crusts |
|
Oven Vent
A 
A. Oven vent
The oven vent releases hot air and moisture from the oven, and should not be blocked or covered. Blocking or covering vent will cause poor air circulation, affecting cooking and cleaning results. Do not set plastics, paper or other items that could melt or burn near the oven vent.
The element can be used when the oven is in use as long as the cookware does not extend more than ¹⁄₂" (1.3 cm) over the element.
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