There are many types of equipment essential in the kitchen to cook. Among them, the convection oven is the one. You can get instant and delicious food out of the oven within no time.
This article will know how to preheat a convection oven before starting the complete cooking procedure. It is essential to preheat so that the food can get to cook quickly. One can cook almost all kinds of food, including meat and bakery.
But before that, let us know what exactly is a convection oven and the benefits from it.
What Is A Convection Oven?
Convection ovens are slightly different than the regular ones. A convection oven has a fan and exhaust system. Through these two features, the hot airblows over and around the dish. After this work is done, it gets back out through the chimney. This is the reason why the food is cooked more evenly and faster.
Convection ovens also help to reduce the moisture amount in the oven. This results in getting brown and crispy food from outside and juicy flavor from inside. There is an option to activate the convection setting.
You can simply turn the switch on and off according to your need. But when the option remains on, you are taking full benefits of the convection oven. And when the setting remains off, it works like a conventional thermal oven.
Benefits of A Convection Oven
There are a number of benefits that one can enjoy after having a convection oven. If you are new to it or planning to buy one, then the below points are especially for you.
- Even heat spreading and baking
- Less rotation
- Saves energy
- Finely grill, crisp, and roast
- Gets preheat faster
- At once, multiple dishes can be cooked
- Foods do not get dry even after a long baking cycle
- Foods are baked and roasted faster
How to Preheat A Convection Oven
The first thing to know before cooking in a convection oven is the process of preheating it. Preheating is the procedure of turning on the oven and letting it reach the accurate temperature to cook.
Almost all recipes are recommended to preheat your oven as it takes some time to warm up the oven when turned on.
However, there is no need to preheat a convection oven when cooking poultry and meat because these foods tend to be overcooked faster.
While a convection oven is suitable for many foods, it might not be the right choice for food like bakery items. These foods need a stable atmosphere while cooking. But if you cook it in a convection oven, its circulating air may ruin the food.
Above all this, it will be wise to go through the user manual that comes with the product. But for your easy understanding, below is the correct method to preheat the oven:
- Turn the oven on 10 to 15 minutes before cooking. You can do it after you have gone through halfway into the food prep.
- Depending on the recipe, set the temperature.
- After it has become worth cooking, place your raw dish into the oven.
How Long Does It Take To Preheat An Oven?
Food cooked in a convection oven receives heat from the rim, which results in crispier results. Our recommendation is to pre-heat the oven.
- For preheating to 250C it may require 5-7 minuets.
- To preheat convection oven 350F temperature it requires 10 to 12 minuets.
- If you aim to get the temperature to 400F it will need 17 to 20 minuets.
In my research, I have found that convection oven need less time to preheat than microwave convection oven combo.
How to Cook Food in A Convection Oven
It will be illogical if we go from the middle of the runway without informing the process of cooking food in a convection oven. Many beginners look forward to learn the exact procedure. But even a cook with proper knowledge about it can read the below points to rectify their mistakes.
Step 1: Read The Recipe Carefully
First and foremost, read the whole recipe carefully. If it is already mentioned about the time and temperature, then follow the instruction thoroughly. But if it is not informed appropriately, follow the following steps.
Step 2: Regulate Temperature
The correct rule to set the temperature is by subtracting 25°F from the listed temperature. But regulating temperature varies by oven cavity. If the specific food recipe tells to preheat at 225°F, adjust it to 200°F.
Step 3: Set Time
To set the exact time, multiply 0.75 by the listed time. For example, if it is instructed to set 30 minutes, adjust to 20 minutes. However, do not forget to go through the exact time and temperature mentioned in the manual as the features vary from oven to oven.
Step 4: Preheat
Except for bakery and poultry items like cake, pudding, chicken, and other foods, you can set the oven to preheat, which will make the cooking process faster. Moreover, a plus point is convection ovens do not take more time to get preheated.
Step 5: Cook, Fry, or Bake
Now it is time to place the dish in your oven to get cook deliciously. Time and temperature are already set. Finally, you can turn on the convection setting for roasting and get crispy and brown outer layer and juicy from inside.
How to Clean A Convection Oven
After you have cooked food, it is essential to clean the oven properly. Otherwise, it may get rust over time. Below are the proper steps for cleaning the oven quickly and easily.
- First of all, remove the holders and soak them in warm water.
- Next, you will need an alkaline solution or a chemical cleaner to clean the goop and stain.
- Do not forget to wear gloves before applying the solution.
- Let the solution sit for the time instructed on the package.
- In the meantime, you can clean the holders with liquid soap and a rough but stainless sponge.
- After that, air dry them or wipe them with a dry cotton cloth.
- Now, scrub the solution applied into the oven to remove all the stain properly. You can use a brush or a washcloth for scrubbing.
- Finally, wipe it again to get rid of any residue and place the racks in place. It is now ready to use again.
To Conclude
Among the modern inventions in kitchen equipment, convection ovens are like a blessing. With this, most of the cooking task became easy and quick. Both the professional and unprofessional are making the best use of it.
But you need to preheat the oven before starting the cooking procedure. Therefore, from the above information, you have already known how to preheat a convection oven. Additionally, you are also benefited from the detail of the cooking process and cleaning method.
You need to be somewhat careful to use the oven as this is an electronic device. Wear gloves to take out the cooked and hot dish from the oven. Turn off the switch after you are done with your cooking.
FAQ: How to Preheat A Convection Oven?
We have received a few questions regarding a convection oven. In this section, you will get most of the answers that you were eagerly looking for. So, without any further delay, keep reading.
Is there any special pan for cooking in a convection oven?
No, there is no such recommendation to use special pans in a convection oven. But obviously, some cookware works perfectly than others. Light-colored pans or bright aluminum can help to cook food faster. You need to use a bottom element if you want to cook food in glass dishes, Earthenware, and ceramic dishes.
What is the benefit of roasting meats in a convection oven?
There is an exciting benefit of roasting meats in a convection oven. That is, you can get a brown and crispy outer layer and juicy from inside.
Usually, some recipes are told to roast on the cooktop to get the brown color and then transfer it to the oven. But, with a convection oven, you will not have to make this extra effort as the oven air will sear the roast.
Can a pizza or baking stone be used in a convection oven?
Yes, of course. You will not get a brown crust and crispy part on the bottom of the bread and pizzas without these stones. So, it is recommended to leave the stones on the lowest rack of the oven during preheating.
Is it true that foods cook faster in a convection oven?
Most of the roasted items will be prepared 30 percent faster in a convection oven than a conventional oven. Not only this, but the meat will also remain moist and juicy. In the case of baked items, they need the exact time and low temperature to cook properly.
Which one to choose, convection ovens or conventional ovens?
If you are a meat lover, then a convection oven would be the best choice. Meat can be cooked more quickly, evenly and have that exact color and crispy taste. However, if you are more likely to make bakery items now and then, conventional ovens are perfect. But it is totally up to you which one you would like to choose.