Oven Beginner's Guide

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The oven is not just a simple heating tool, but a magic box that creates everything from everyday deliciousness to exquisite desserts. However, many novice users often ignore key steps when using the oven, resulting in uneven heating and poor taste of food. This article systematically combs the core usage method of the oven for you, helping you to grow from a novice Xiaobai to a kitchen expert who can control this delicious machine step by step, and easily unlock a new realm of cooking.

(1)、High temperature empty baking

Before the new oven is used for the first time, it is recommended to bake at high temperature. The temperature was adjusted to the highest and run for 15-20 minutes. This process has 3 functions:

1. Remove the protective oil or fine particles that may remain during the production process.

2. Test whether the heating element is working properly.

3. Familiarize the user with the sound and state of the oven when it is running.

(2)、Preheat before baking

1. the Importance of Preheating

In the oven cooking process, preheating is an indispensable key link. Adequate preheating can make the internal heat of the oven evenly distributed, effectively avoiding the problem of cooked food and uneven coloring. If the preheating is insufficient, the food is unevenly heated, affecting the taste and selling phase, full preheating can guarantee the cooking quality.

2. the correct preheating method

Before cooking, set the oven temperature according to the recipe and clean up the debris inside the oven. Then turn on the empty oven to heat for 10 - 15 minutes. After hearing the tone, don't rush to put the food, wait another 2 minutes for the temperature to stabilize, and then put the food into baking.

(3)、Put food

There is a natural temperature gradient inside the oven:

①. Upper: the highest temperature, strong fire. Suitable for food that needs to be colored and crunchy on the surface.

②. Middle: uniform temperature, heat the most stable. It is suitable for most foods that need to be baked evenly and is the preferred layer for making cakes, biscuits and bread.

③. Lower: Strong primer. Suitable for foods that need a crisp bottom or a long slow roast.

To understand these 1 rules, we can choose the appropriate placement according to the characteristics of food.

Note: Keep a proper distance between foods to ensure free circulation of hot air. Overcrowded placement will hinder heat transfer and lead to uneven heating.

(4)、Heating mode selection

Select the appropriate heating mode according to the characteristics of the food.

1. heating up and down (conventional heating/static baking)

①. Brief introduction: the oven turns on the upper and lower heating modes, the upper and lower heating pipes work synchronously, and the heat is evenly transferred to the food, which is the most basic and commonly used mode.

②. Applicable scene: This mode is suitable for baking cookies, cakes and other most foods, to ensure that the ingredients are stable and colored.

2. heat up

①.Introduction: Only the upper heating pipe works, and the heat is mainly conducted downward from the top of the food.

②. Applicable scene: the surface of food needs to be colored or coked, such as baked cheese rice, lasagna and pizza (the surface of cheese is melted and colored). Reheat leftovers, roast toast, or add color to the surface of cooked food.

3. heating under fire

①. Introduction: Only the lower heating pipe works, and the heat is conducted upward from the bottom.

②. Application Scenario: Foods that need crispy or cooked at the bottom, such as pizza, tabi, and pie crust. Slow roast meat that needs to maintain tenderness (such as grilled chicken legs) to avoid premature scorching of the surface.

4. hot air circulation

①. Introduction: The fan on the back of the oven starts to force the hot air to circulate in the cavity, making the temperature more uniform and heating up faster.

②. Applicable scene: multi-layer baking (such as biscuits, macaroon), improve efficiency and uniform color. Bake food that needs a crispy crust, defrost or dry food quickly.

(5)、Adjustment during cooking

1. appropriate in the baking tray with water

When using the oven to make food, high temperature environment is easy to make food moisture loss. In order to avoid the dry and hard food, which will affect the taste and nutrition, some water can be added to the baking tray to lock the food moisture and make the finished product more delicious.

2. baking pan turn

When baking food that lasts more than 20 minutes, be sure to turn the baking pan halfway. Due to the difference in temperature in each area inside the oven, turning the baking tray 180 degrees back and forth can ensure uniform heating of food to the greatest extent and significantly improve the quality of baked products.

3. the operation of judging food maturity

To determine whether the food is cooked, to be flexible in a variety of ways. Look at the color change is the basis, but also with the help of temperature measurement of internal temperature, or with a bamboo stick, toothpick test.

①. Observe the appearance: the surface is golden yellow, and the edge is usually ripe.

②. Detection of elasticity: lightly pressed ingredients should have a certain rebound (such as cake, meat), rather than collapse or hard.

③. Measuring temperature: measure the center temperature with a food thermometer (e. g. chicken 74°C, beef according to doneness requirements).

④. Insert bamboo sticks: bakery is cooked without wet batter after being pulled out.

(6)、Cleaning and maintenance after use

1. after the use of timely cleaning

Every time you use the oven, be sure to wait for it to cool completely, use a mild detergent with a soft cloth to wipe the inside carefully, and try to avoid using hard objects

such as steel wire balls to clean. For dripping oil stains, timely cleaning can prevent carbonization accumulation.

2. regular deep cleaning

After every 10-15 uses, it is recommended to perform a deep cleaning. Modern ovens are equipped with a self-cleaning function and can be operated according to the instructions. For ovens without this function, use a special oven cleaner and clean it according to the instructions. Regular cleaning can not only maintain hygiene, but also ensure heating efficiency.

Conclusion

Mastering the basic methods of oven use can add more possibilities for home cooking. From simple roasted vegetables to delicate baked treats, the oven gives us a vast space to explore the cuisine. During the operation, keep patient and careful, observe the food state more and adjust it in time. As long as the practice, the novice can quickly accumulate experience, handy in the kitchen, become a master of cooking.