When cooking with an oven, there are a number of simple tips and methods that can be used to make the process go more smoothly. Purchasing and using an oven thermometer to ensure proper temperature is one of the simplest things a person can do to make his or her oven more effective. Anyone who uses an oven should know the difference between baking and broiling, as well as how to use the broiler properly. The placement of the item being cooked in the oven is also an important factor to consider when cooking with an oven.
One of the most important things a person can monitor and control when cooking with an oven is the temperature. An oven thermometer is typically inexpensive, and there are several models that can be used and placed within an oven to ensure that it is properly calibrated. Even a 5 degree difference in temperature between what an oven should be and what it is can have a significant impact on the cooking process. Of course, it’s also critical to make sure that a recipe is followed to the letter, with the oven set to the correct temperature and allowed to fully preheat.
However, when it comes to cooking with an oven, temperature isn’t the only factor to consider; the manner in which heat is generated is also crucial. When an oven is turned on, the heat is distributed evenly between the top and bottom of the oven, though this can vary depending on the model. This provides fairly even heating and should cook all of the food’s surfaces at the same time. While this method works well for turkey or meatloaf, it isn’t always the best for a steak or a casserole with cheese on top.
When cooking these types of foods, someone who uses the broiler will notice a significant difference. Because the broiler is only a top heating element, foods can be placed on a rack near the top and directly heated using the broiler. This is effectively inverted grilling, as the heat source is above rather than below the food. Steaks can be seared nicely and a cheesy casserole can have a crisply browned top by using the broiler when cooking with an oven.
When cooking with an oven, the location of the food is, of course, crucial. When doing basic cooking, it’s usually best to place an oven rack in the middle of the oven. This allows heat to circulate around the food, evenly heating it from all sides. Because most ovens do not heat evenly, the item being cooked should be rotated once during the cooking process. This is done to make sure that no part of the dish gets too hot or too cold during the cooking process.