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20
Using the Oven
Operation
Operation
Conventional and Convection Cooking
Because of variations in food density, surface texture and consistency,
some foods may be prepared more successfully using the conventional
bake setting. For this reason, conventional baking is recommended
when preparing baked goods such as custard. The user may find other
foods that are also prepared more consistently in conventional bake.
This is perfectly normal. Convection cooking is a cooking technique
which utilizes fan forced air to circulate heat throughout the entire
oven creating the optimum cooking environment. Cooking with
convection is intended when performing multi-rack baking and for
baking heavier foods. Below are tips which will allow you to get the
best results out of your oven when cooking with convection.
• As a general rule, to convert conventional recipes to convection
recipes, reduce the temperature by 25°F (-3.9°C) and the cooking
time by approximately 10 to 15%.
• Cooking times for standard baking and convection baking will be the
same. However, if using convection to cook a single item or smaller
load, then it is possible to have 10-15% reduction in cooking time.
(Remember convection cooking is designed for multi-rack baking or
cooking large loads.)
• If cooking items which require longer than 45 minutes, then it is
possible to see a 10-15% reduction in cooking time. This is
especially true for large items cooked in the convection roast
function.
• A major benefit of convection cooking is the ability to prepare foods
in quantity. The uniform air circulation makes this possible. Foods
that can be prepared on two of three racks at the same time include:
pizza, cakes, cookies, biscuits, muffins, rolls, and frozen convenience
foods.
• For three-rack baking, use any combination of rack positions 2, 3, 4,
and 5. For two-rack baking, use rack positions 2 and 4 or positions 3
and 5. Remember that the racks are numbered from bottom to top.
See “
Oven Features” illustration on page 18.
• Items cooked in a convection function can be easily over-baked. This
being the case, it is usually a good idea to pull items out of the oven
just before they seem to be done. Items will continue to cook right
after they are set out of the oven.
Conventional and Convection Cooking
(cont.)
• Some recipes, especially those that are homemade, may require
adjustment and testing when converting from standard to
convection modes. If unsure how to convert a recipe, begin by
preparing the recipe in conventional bake. After achieving
acceptable results, follow the convection guidelines listed for the
similar food type. If the food is not prepared to your satisfaction
during this first convection trial, adjust only one recipe variable at a
time (cooking time, rack position, or temperature) and repeat the
convection test. Continue adjusting one recipe variable at a time
until satisfactory results are achieved.
Pan Placement Tips
• When using large (15" x 13") flat pans or trays that cover most of
the rack, rack positions 2 or 3 produce the best results.
• When baking on more than one rack, it is recommended to use one
of the convection modes and the 2nd and 4th position or the 3rd
and 5th position for more even baking. When baking on three racks,
use any combination of positions 2, 3, 4, and 5 for more consistent
results.
• Stagger pans in opposite directions when two racks and several pans
are used in conventional bake. If possible, no pan should be directly
above another.
• Allow 1 to 2 inches of air space around all sides of each pan for even
air circulation.
Single Rack Pan
Placement
Multiple Rack Pan
Placement
Using the Oven
