I have recently purchased a dual fuel stove. The top of the stove is gas while the main oven is electric. It has the option of regular bake or convection bake. If anyone has any advice or recipes for the convection bake setting I would love to have them. No detail is too small.
Working in the food business for 18 years (including restaurant kitchens) convection ovens are the best! They have been used in professional kitchens long before they came to residential homes. The only difference is that there is a fan in there, so I don't agree with a change in cooking temperature is needed from conventional oven recipes. You will have to shorten the cooking time, however. The fan allows for even cooking, no hot/cold spots in the oven.
I learned (professionally) that the only thing you cannot cook in a convection oven is egg based recipes (i.e., souffles and breakfast items with eggs). I am a big baker (professional) and bake practically everything in my convection oven. When you cook your regularly made items in there for the first time, use an internal thermometer for meats, and watch everything carefully noting how long it took to cook and make a note on your recipe for next time.
My oven has a convection feature, and here's what I've learned:
*don't use convection for baking--it's too fast and sometimes, particularly with biscuits, the outside will brown too quickly and the inside won't be done.
*It's perfect for potatoes, and most anything you're in a hurry for, such as meat, just watch it closely!
For best results, here are 8 rules you should know. 1. When cooking in convection ovens, use cookie sheets and Shallow pans (up to 1" sides). Pans with high sides should not be used. The sides interfere with air circulation and can decrease browning. 2. When using a roasting pan, or if the food will be covered when cooked, or when using roasting bags, use a conventional oven
3. Preheat the oven. When roasting, preheating is not necessary. 4. Food should be checked 5 to 10 min. before the food is expected to be finished. The more food in the oven, the longer the cooking time. 5. The oven door must be kept tightly closed while in operation.
6. Dark or dull pans should only be used when you want dark, crisp crusts. Shiny pans reflect heat, resulting in more browning. Cookies should be baked on shiny metal pans without sides. For 2 cookie sheets, place one directly over the other in the center of the oven. This will allow for more even browning.
7. When baking cakes, pies or other foods in pans that do have sides, the pans should be staggered, not directly above another pan. 8. Pans should be placed at least 1" apart and at least 1" away from the oven walls.
You can use the same recipes in a convection oven as a standard one, but for best results, here are the rules that apply:
1. Reduce the oven temperature by 25° F, cooking times will be about the same. 2. If the baking time is less than 15 min, the temperature should be reduced by 30° F.
3. When roasting, the temperature stays the same, but the cooking time is reduced. The time will depend on the size of the food. For example, if the recipe says bake a roast at 400 degrees for 50 min, in a convection oven you would cook it at 400 degrees for about 30 to 35 min.
4. If baking on more than one rack, additional baking time may be needed for items on the middle rack. Add 30 to 60 additional seconds for thin foods like cookies and 1 to 2 additional min. for thicker items like biscuits.
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
Archives:
Request: Recipes And Tips For Using A Convection Oven
Archived on 05/07/2009
I have just purchased a beautiful gas range with a convection oven. This is a totally different cooking experience. I need tips and recipes. I know to lower the temperature by 25 degrees and time by 25%. However, little things like when I cooked my roast, it was not juicy at all and I had no drippings for gravy, and my carrots looked like dehydrated orange peas, and forget about the onions. Should I cover the meat? What about casseroles and cakes? Any good recipes out there?
Thanks a million,
Sandy from Metairie, LA
Feedback:
RE: Recipes And Tips For Using A Convection Oven
Have either of you tried web sites for the appliance you bought?
Have you googled convection oven? I don't have one-- but have thought about buying one, so I was interested in your questions. Good luck. (08/03/2007)
I have had a Kitchen Aid convection oven for the last 7 years. When it wears out I will buy another. The owner's manual and recipe collection were most helpful. I have baked in everything from 70 year old cast iron pans (makes the best Pineapple Upside Down Cake) to silicone cookwear.
Sometimes you need to reduce the heat by 50 degrees, especially it you are cooking for a prolonged time. Cakes rise higher and are lighter in texture. Pies have an amazing golden crust. Turkeys don't dry out. When baking cookies, do not use too large of a sheet, give ample room around sheet to bake evenly, the edges will burn and middle cookies will not be done if pan is too large.
Try to avoid opening door, that is what the window and light are for. Frozen french fries and onion rings don't have to be flipped over. Casseroles with a crunchy topping really crunch. Bake breaded chicken and pork chops at 375 degrees for about 20 to 30 minutes in oiled pan, no need to turn.
Remember, if the food needs a lid, you 'Do not convect", use conventional setting. Experiment, try lowering temp and reducing baking time. All ovens are different and you will eventually feel comfortable using convection heat to where you prefer it for the added taste and time saving convenience. (08/06/2007)
