9
Hints and Tips
Condensation and steam
When food is heated it produces steam in
the same way as a boiling kettle. The oven
vents allow some of this steam to escape.
However,
always stand back from the
oven when opening the oven door
to
allow any build up of steam or heat to
release.
If the steam comes into contact with a cool
surface on the outside of the oven, e.g. a
trim, it will condense and produce water
droplets. This is quite normal and is not a
fault with the oven.
To prevent discoloration, regularly wipe
away condensation and also soilage from
surfaces.
Cookware
Use any ovenproof cookware, which will
withstand temperatures of 250°C.
Oven dishes, etc. should not be placed
directly on the oven base
.
Oven Cooking
•
Turn off the oven 5 minutes before the
end of cooking time, and use residual
heat to complete the cooking.
•
The thickness, the material and the
colour of the pan will influence the
cooking results.
•
When cooking, certain dishes increase
in volume, ensure the pan is large
enough.
•
To prevent fat dripping when roasting
use tall rim pans proportional to the
item being roasted.
•
Prick the skin of poultry and sausages
with a fork before cooking to avoid
spitting.
•
Use heatproof glass dishes for
soufflés.
The effects of dishes on cooking results
Dishes and tins vary in their thickness,
conductivity, colour, etc. which affects the
way they transmit heat to the food inside
them.
A
Aluminium, earthenware, oven
glassware and bright shiny utensils
reduce cooking and base browning.
B
Enamelled cast iron, anodised
aluminium, aluminium with non-stick
interior and coloured exterior and dark,
heavy utensils increase cooking and
base browning.
Storage compartment
The storage compartment is located
underneath the oven cavity.
During cooking the storage
compartment may become hot if
the oven is in use for a long period
of time. Flammable materials such
as oven gloves, tea towels, plastic
aprons etc. should not be stored
in the drawer.
Oven accessories such as baking sheets,
will also become hot, therefore care should
be taken when removing these items from
the compartment whilst the oven is in use or
still hot.
