6
Conventional Oven (Top and Base Heat)
This function combines the heat from the top and
base elements. It is particularly suitable for roasting
and baking pastry, cakes and biscuits.
Food cooked on the top shelf will brown and crisp faster than
on the lower shelf, because the heat is greater at the top of
the oven than at the base, as in ‘Fan Assisted Oven’ function.
Similar items being cooked will need to be swapped around
for even cooking. This means that foods requiring different
temperatures can be cooked together, using the cooler zone
in the lower half of the oven and hotter area to the top.
The exposed top element may cook some foods too quickly,
so we recommend that the food be positioned in the lower
half of the oven to cook. The oven temperature may also need
to be lowered.
Browning Element
This function uses the element in the top of the oven
only. It is a useful function for the browning or
finishing of pasta dishes, vegetables in sauce and
lasagne, the item to be browned being already hot before
switching to the top element.
Base Heat
This function uses the base element only. It will crisp
up your pizza or quiche base or finish off cooking the
base of a pastry case on a lower shelf. It is also a
gentle heat, good for slow cooking of casseroles in the
middle of the oven or for plate warming.
The Browning and Base Heat functions are useful additions
to your oven, giving you flexibility to finish off items to
perfection. With use, you will soon realise how these
functions can combine to extend your cooking skills.
Multifunction Oven Modes
(
Fig. 2.13
)
Defrost
This function operates the fan(s) to circulate cold air
only. Make sure the temperature control is at 0°C and
that no heat is applied. This enables small items such
as desserts, cream cakes and pieces of meat, fish and
poultry to be defrosted.
Defrosting in this way speeds up the process and protects
the food from contamination. Pieces of meat, fish and poultry
should be placed on a shelf, over a tray to catch any drips. Be
sure to wash the shelf and tray after defrosting.
Defrost with the oven door closed. Defrosting should not
be carried out in a warm oven. Large items, such as whole
chickens and meat roasts should not be defrosted in this way.
We recommend this be carried out in a refrigerator.
Make sure that dairy foods, meat and poultry are completely
defrosted before cooking.
Fan Oven
This function operates the fans and the heating
element around them. An even heat is produced
throughout the oven, allowing you to cook large
amounts quickly.
Fan oven cooking is particularly suitable for multi-shelf
cooking and is a good ‘all-round’ function. It may be
necessary to reduce the temperature by approximately 10 °C
for recipes previously cooked in a conventional oven.
If you wish to preheat the oven, wait until the indicator light
has gone out before inserting the food.
Fanned Grilling
This function operates the fan while the top element
is on. It produces a more even, less fierce heat than a
conventional grill. For best results place the food to
be grilled on the pan provided. Thick pieces of meat
or fish are ideal for cooking in this way, as the circulated air
reduces the fierceness of the heat from the grill. The oven
door should be kept closed while cooking is in progress, so
saving energy. You will also find that the food needs to be
watched and turned less than for normal grilling. Preheat this
function before cooking.
Note:
When grilling full width, to allow sufficient access
for tending foods we recommend placing the grill pan tray
support on the second from top level.
Fan Assisted Oven
This function operates the fans, circulating air heated by
the elements at the top and the base of the oven.
The combination of fan and conventional cooking
(Top and Base Heat) makes this function ideal for
cooking large items that need thorough cooking, such as a
large meat roast. It is also possible to bake on two shelfs at
one time, although they will need to be changed over during
the cooking time, as the heat at the top of the oven is greater
than at the base, when using this function.
This is a fast intensive form of cooking; keep an eye on the
food cooking until you are familiar with this function.
