Convection Ovens
Posted by Gina on Mar 15, 2009
I used to use a gas oven but recently bought an electric one, the manual is confusing plus vague and I do not understand it at all.
I have attached a picture of the whole oven and of the dials, there are 3 dials one for temperature, function and time. there is also a switch for the fan. I baked a cake yesterday and the settings for the dial that I used were the same as they are in the picture. The cake turned out raw from the middle but crispy and cooked from top and bottom.
Please help me adjust the settings for baking cakes and what would I need to do with the settings while roasting.
Should the fan be off or on? What is it for? I think it circulates heat all around that’s why I kept it on. I get the temperature and time dial but really need help with the function dial.
I am sorry you are having so much trouble with your brand new oven. I have a lot of experience using the small convection ovens and I have not run into the trouble you have experienced. The first thing I recommend is putting an oven thermometer in the oven and testing the accuracy of the temperature for an hour or so on each of the settings. If the oven runs hot by 25 degrees you can then make the adjustment on the temperature dial. My oven at home runs 50 degrees hot most of the time so I have to rely on the thermometer I keep in the oven at all times.
As for the dials on your oven, my best guess is the following:
- The top dial is for the temperature. You knew this, but just thought I’d cover all of them.
- The middle function dial refers to the two different heating elements and their location in the oven.
- The symbol at the 3 o’clock position is for the heating element on the top of the oven, best used for things that you want to brown.
- The symbol at the 6 o’clock position is for the heating element on the bottom of the oven, best for roasting and slow braises.
- The symbol at the 9 o’clock position is for turning on both heating elements at the same time: this would be best for baking.
- The bottom dial is simply a timer.
- The switch on the bottom turns the fan on or off. Using the fan distributes the heat around the oven and usually makes for more even cooking. If I am using a convection oven, I always use the fan for everything I put in there. It cooks things a little more quickly and efficiently.
It sounds like your oven must run hot since your cake was golden brown on the outside and raw in the middle. How frustrating! If after you test the temperature, you find that it is indeed running hot, you might consider returning your oven for a new one or getting a different brand. The ones I am used to using are professional mini convection ovens and are quite expensive, but work beautifully. Hopefully you will be able to get the results you want from this oven with just a few minor adjustments.