BAKING TUTORIALS

All you need to know about the different ovens for baking | 05 tips to understand your oven

In this post you will learn about the various methods of heat transfer, advantages and disadvantages of ovens for home baking and how to buy the right oven. You will also learn how to understand your ovens using my special tips leading to the perfect baking results every time.

AUTHOR : KHUSHALI PATEL

*For the best results, read the entire post & follow the instructions.

Are you planning to purchase a new oven, but you are confused about which is the best one for your baking needs and which is worth the investment? Or have you already bought one for yourself but struggle to understand how to use it? Then I’ve got you!

As it turns out, I have been there.

Ovens are a type of equipment that can suit the needs of various individuals, becoming the most confusing equipment ever.

You may be confused because of the different types and sizes of ovens available in the market. Not to forget; the endless modes that those ovens have.

But as it turns out, there is a solution for this.

After using different ovens and being so frustrated with some of them, I have found a new approach to purchasing the right one. And I’ll be sharing this approach with you right here.

Goodbye to those days full of confusion! Woohoo!

The primary factor you should be aware of while purchasing an oven is how the oven transfers heat energy. And after hours of research and buying the right one for my needs keeping this factor in mind, I will help you do the same.

In this post, I will help you understand the methods of heat transfer and the kinds of ovens available for baking (at home) with their advantages and disadvantages. Most importantly, I will share the type of ovens you can purchase for baking with tips on how to get the perfect bake each time.

But first, let’s talk about why heat is crucial for baking.

Why is heat crucial for baking?

When you bake, the process begins when there is heat present. Without heat transfer from the heat source to the food, the food stays raw and inedible.

So, what happens when heat is applied?

The fat begins to melt, and there is an expansion of gases.
The microorganisms are killed.
The proteins coagulate.
The starch begins to gelatinize, and the crust begins to form
And much more! I will not be going into detail about the process of baking in this post.

In simple words, Heat energy helps transform a batter or dough into an enjoyable treat.

Most importantly, heat energy is also responsible for killing the bacteria and microorganisms present in the food, making it safe for you to consume.

What are the methods of heat transfer?

You might be asking yourself, “How exactly is the heat energy transferred to the food?”. The following are the three ways in which heat is transferred for baking to occur:

Radiation

It transfers heat energy from the heat source to the food through waves. There is no direct contact between the heat source and the food. For that reason, the heat is indirect. Heat energy transferred through radiation is quick but can also be uneven.

Conduction

Conduction transfers heat energy from the heat source to the food through solids (molecular contact). In easier words, imagine cooking food on a stovetop. When you put a pan of food to cook, first, the pan becomes hot, and after that, the cooking process begins. The heat transfer is slow but even, making the food extremely hot.

Conduction also occurs in baking. When you place a baking pan in the oven, it becomes hot first; and then the heat is transferred to the batter or dough. However, depending on the type of material, the rate at which the heat energy is transferred differs.

But wait, there’s more.

Have you heard about carryover baking?

Carryover baking occurs when a baked treat continues baking even after it has come out of the oven. When you remove a baking pan from the oven, it’s still hot. The heat present continues to cook the food that is in that pan. This is because of conduction.

Convection

Convection transfers heat energy from the heat source to the food through liquids and gases. It is the best heat transfer method for baking. Ovens that support the convection method have an exhaust and fan system that helps circulate heat evenly through the oven cavity. The heat constantly makes the cold air hot while the fans help to distribute that heat evenly.

For this reason, if you open it while something is baking, it can affect the baked dish, as cold air enters and the hot air escapes.

What are the different types of ovens for baking?

There are different ovens available in the market suitable for your specific needs. But I will be focusing on ovens that are suitable for your home needs; which are as follows:

Microwave Ovens

Microwave ovens rely on radiation to transfer heat energy to the food. It can heat food unevenly. To deal with this, it comes with a rotating plate that makes the transfer of heat energy even.

Because of the rotating plate, you lose the opportunity to bake bigger batches. The quality of the baking dish is also affected because of the longer baking times.

I have used microwave ovens for years and have found that they are best used only for reheating or melting ingredients like chocolate or butter.

Advantages of Microwave Ovens

• It is best for heating, reheating and melting purposes. For instance, melting chocolate.
• As it’s a countertop appliance, it’s perfect for kitchens with limited space availability.
• It’s reasonably priced.
• Perfect for you if you bake once in a while.

Disadvantages of Microwave Ovens

• You can bake only small quantities of food because of the rotating plate.
• Longer baking times.
• Known to be unhealthy because of the radiation.
• Certain materials are not suitable to be used in a microwave oven.

Convection Ovens

Convection ovens are the best for baking. They have an exhaust system and fan that help circulate the heat evenly across the oven cavity. Because of the circulation of hot air, the food bakes faster, and it’s even.

As the size of the oven is much larger than microwave ovens, multiple trays or pans of food can be baked together. However, it’s important to remember there should be enough space for the hot air to circulate evenly.

These days, however, microwave ovens also have a convection mode. But bake times can still be longer and it does not have the flexibility of baking bigger quantities of food.

Convection ovens should not be confused with conventional ovens.

Conventional ovens have heating elements at the top and bottom of the oven cavity. It heats the food closer to a specific heating element, which can cause it to be uneven.

Advantages of Convection Ovens

• Bakes food evenly.
• Perfect for baking large quantities.
• You have more control over the baking time and temperature.
• Convection ovens can function well for many years.
• Great for you if you bake very often.

Disadvantages of Convection Ovens

• Convection ovens take up more space in the kitchen, as they need to be installed rather than leaving them on the countertop.
• Baking times and temperatures can vary depending on the pan material and type of baked dish.
• Comparatively more expensive than microwave and OTG ovens.

OTG Ovens (Oven Toaster Griller)

Oven toaster grillers, also known as OTG ovens, have heating coils at the top and/or the bottom of the oven cavity. They also have a thermostat to control the temperature.

OTG’s come in different sizes with various modes that help you control which heating coil to use. These days they even come with a convection mode where there is an exhaust system and fan to evenly distribute the heat.

OTG’s are a terrific choice for your baking needs as they are countertop appliances that take less space with the ability to hold multiple trays of food.

Advantages of an Oven Toaster Griller (OTG)

• They consume low power.
• You have better control over the temperature and modes of the oven as compared to microwave ovens.
• It’s a countertop appliance which makes it great for kitchens with limited space availability.
• OTG ovens can function well for many years.

Disadvantages of an Oven Toaster Griller (OTG)

• The cord of OTG ovens is much shorter, so you need to place it close to a power outlet.
• The glass door has a risk of breaking if not used carefully.

Which is the best oven to buy for baking?

As I mentioned above, always consider the method of heat transfer. However, remember that ovens that have a fan to circulate the heat are crucial and give the best baking results.

Other than the method of heat transfer, you should purchase an oven depending on the following factors:

How often you plan to bake.
The quantity of food you want to bake.
Space available in your kitchen.
And, your budget.

However, I would recommend purchasing one that can bake two trays of cookies at a time.

So,

If you are someone with space in their kitchen, go for a convection oven.

If you are someone with less kitchen space (like me), I recommend buying an OTG oven with a convection mode and the ability to keep both the heating coils on at the same time.

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05 tips to get the perfect baking results

Once you purchase the oven suitable for your baking needs, it’s crucial to understand how your oven functions.

I do not mean understanding the various functions, but how the heat is distributed within those functions as each oven is different. There are a few tips that you can follow which helped me understand my oven better. And with a lot of trial rounds and baking fails, the following are the best tips that will help you avoid any disappointment:

Always test a batch of cookies

When I purchased my first oven (after considering the factors mentioned above) I tested a batch of cookies which helped me understand the way my oven functions. Testing out the various functions available can give you a better understanding of the best function to use for baking. You will also come to know where the hot spots are located, as each oven is different. I highly recommend not skipping this step as it helps you use your oven to give you the desired results.

Use the middle rack

No matter which oven you decide to purchase – especially an OTG or convection oven, use the middle rack while baking as the heat is even which helps bake the food wonderfully.

Rotate your pans

Although the previous tip is perfect for small batches, sometimes you may bake multiple trays at once. At such times, halfway through baking, rotate your pans – side to side and top to bottom. This will make sure you get an even bake.

Baking times

All recipes specify baking times, but it’s important to note that each oven is different. The actual time that a specific food takes to bake can be completely different for your oven. Instead, look at the texture of the baked dish – is it brown? Firm and holding its shape? Once you know the time that a specific recipe takes, make a note of it, so it becomes easier the next time you make that recipe.

Oven thermometer

These small devices can help save your time and avoid any problems while baking. When you set a specific temperature on your oven, the temperature inside the oven cavity can be completely different. Having an oven thermometer helps you know the actual temperature inside the oven cavity. It’s best to place it inside the oven, in the middle, when it’s preheating and throughout the entire duration of baking.

In conclusion, although having the right oven for your baking needs is important; understanding how your oven functions and, using it accordingly can help you save your time, money and resources. It will also make your baking journey even more enjoyable.

Happy Baking!

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