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If you are used to cooking with a conventional oven
you will find a number of differences to cooking with
a fan oven which will require a different approach:
There are no zones of heat in a fan oven as the
convection fan at the back of the oven ensures an even
temperature throughout the oven.
This makes it ideal for batch baking – eg; when
planning a party as all the items will be cooked within
the same length of time.
4Foods are cooked at a lower temperature
than a conventional oven, so
conventional recipe temperature may
have to be reduced. Please refer to the
conversion chart.
4Preheating is generally not necessary as a
fan oven warms up quickly.
4There is no flavour transference in a fan
oven, which means you can cook strong
smelling foods such as fish at the same
time as mild foods – eg; milk puddings.
4When batch baking foods that will rise
during cooking – eg; bread – always
ensure that enough space has been left
between the shelves to allow for the rise.
Notes:
4When 2 or more shelves are being used, it
may be necessary to increase the cooking
time slightly.
4Because the 2 oven shelves are wider
than in many ovens, it is possible to
cook 2 items per shelf – eg; 2 victoria
sandwiches or 2 casseroles.
4When roasting meats, you will notice that
fat splashing is reduced, which is due in
part to the lower oven temperatures, and
will help keep cleaning of the oven to a
minimum.
4Because a fan oven has an even
temperature throughout the oven, there
is no need to follow the shelf positions
given in the baking guide.
4There is no need to interchange dishes
onto different shelves part way through
cooking, as with a conventional oven.
Defrosting and cooling in the main oven
To defrost frozen foods, turn the oven control to the
defrost position, place the food in the centre of the
oven and close the door.
To cool foods after cooking prior to refrigerating or
freezing, turn the tall oven control to the defrost
position and open the door.
Defrosting times
4Small or thin pieces of frozen fish or
meat – eg; fish filets, prawns & mince
will take approximately 1 – 2 hours.
4Placing the food in a single layer will
reduce the thawing time.
4A medium sized casserole or stew will
take approximately 3 – 4 hours.
4A 1½kg/3lb oven ready chicken will
take approximately 5 hours, remove the
giblets as soon as possible.
Be safe
4Do not defrost stuffed poultry using this
method.
4Do not defrost larger joints of meat and
poultry over 2kg / 4lb using this method.
4Never place uncooked food for defrosting
next to cooked food which is to be cooled,
as this can lead to cross contamination.
4Defrosting meat, poultry, and fish can be
accelerated using this method but make
sure they are completely thawed before
cooking thoroughly. Place meat and
poultry on a trivet in a meat tin.