Before cooking any dishes in the oven, you will need to preheat the appliance to the optimum temperature. Although it only takes a few seconds to turn on the oven, it takes several minutes for it to reach the temperature you want. Turning on the appliance in advance and waiting for it to heat up is called "preheating". Since the different models have different, sometimes long, heating times, most recipes will instruct you to turn on the oven before starting to cook. This article will show you how to preheat an electric and gas oven.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Electric Oven
Step 1. Consider preheating your oven before you start preparing food
Most electric ovens need 10-15 minutes to reach the correct temperature; in the meantime, you have the opportunity to follow the recipe instructions to prepare the dish. If it takes more than 15 minutes to work the ingredients, then you can turn on the oven halfway through preparation.
Step 2. Open the oven and check that you have removed all the accessories
If you store items in the oven, such as baking sheets, remove them and set them aside.
Step 3. Arrange the various shelves as needed
Most of the oven shelves are inserted in the center but, sometimes, the dish you are about to cook must be cooked at a certain height inside the appliance. Refer to the recipe, remove the shelf and insert it at the correct height. There should be grooves along the walls of the oven that support the shelf.
- Dishes that must be golden and crispy on the surface, such as timbales and lasagna, are usually cooked in the upper part of the oven.
- Dishes like cakes, cookies and cupcakes should be cooked on the center shelf, unless the recipe indicates otherwise.
- Foods that must be golden and crunchy on the bottom, such as bread and pizza, must be placed in the lower part of the appliance.
Step 4. Turn on the oven and set the correct temperature
To find out what it is, refer to the recipe. This information is generally communicated at the beginning of the description of the preparation, in the first step. Simply grab the knob, push it and turn it until the reference mark is at the right temperature.
Step 5. Wait for the appliance to reach the desired temperature
Most modern models beep when the temperature is correct, or have devices that allow instant reading. Some ovens have a light that comes on when the heat reaches the desired level; this light is usually located near the thermostat.
- Most ovens need 10-15 minutes to warm up.
- If you have an old model, then you may not have a thermostat with various temperatures, but only a switch to turn the appliance off and on. In this case, start the oven and wait 10-15 minutes before placing the food in it.
- Consider using an oven thermometer. Sometimes the internal temperature does not exactly match the one set on the thermostat. An oven thermometer, which is positioned inside, allows you to accurately read the heat level. Rely on this tool instead of waiting for the light to come on or the oven to emit a “beep”.
Step 6. Place the food in the oven and cook according to the recipe instructions
Make sure the door is securely closed, unless the specific preparation instructions indicate otherwise. Don't keep checking the cooking process. Every time you open the door you let out some heat, thus expanding the time.
If you have decided to cook several dishes on several shelves, then displace the various pans and do not line them up vertically. In this way, the hot air inside the oven circulates and is distributed more evenly around the food
Method 2 of 3: Gas Oven
Step 1. Check for proper ventilation
Gas ovens are powered by gas and emit a greater quantity of fumes than electric models. Make sure there is sufficient ventilation by opening the window.
Step 2. Open the oven and check that it contains nothing
If you usually store some items, such as baking trays, you need to be sure you have removed them before turning it on.
Step 3. If necessary, adjust the height of the shelves
Some recipes involve changing the position of the shelves to ensure even cooking of the dishes. Always refer to the instructions and adjust the grid accordingly. Just pull it out and slide it into the correct grooves on the inside of the oven.
- Dishes that must be golden and crispy on the surface, such as timbales and lasagna, are usually cooked in the upper part of the oven.
- Dishes like cakes, cookies and cupcakes should be cooked on the center shelf, unless the recipe indicates otherwise.
- Foods that must be golden and crunchy on the bottom, such as bread and pizza, must be placed in the lower part of the appliance.
Step 4. Check if your model ignites with a pilot flame or an electric spark
This determines how to turn on the device and set the temperature. Most old ovens use a pilot flame, while newer ones have an electric ignition system. Here's how you can tell which group your oven belongs to:
- If your oven has a pilot flame, then you will notice a small flame that burns constantly and that increases and decreases in size with the temperature.
- If your model has an electric ignition device, then you will not see any flame until you turn on the oven and set the temperature.
Step 5. If you have a pilot flame, turn on the oven and set the desired temperature
You may need to press the knob lightly before turning it.
- If the oven uses a temperature scale in degrees Fahrenheit, you will need to make the appropriate conversion to know the centigrade.
- Sometimes, the pilot flame goes out and must be re-ignited before using the oven. If this happens, check that the thermostat is "off" and try to identify the position of the flame nozzle. Light a match and bring it close to the nozzle; if the pilot light ignites, remove the match. If you don't get any results, raise the temperature slightly.
Step 6. If you have a digital model, press the button to activate the grill or turn on the oven, then set the temperature
Use the directional arrows to adjust the latter. Once you have adjusted the heat level, press the "Start" button. You will notice that the numbers on the display will change: this is the real temperature inside the oven. Wait for it to reach the desired level.
Step 7. When the oven is as hot as you like, put your food inside
Gas ovens heat up much faster than electric ones, so just wait 5-10 minutes.
- Make sure the door is firmly closed, unless the recipe states otherwise. Do not open the oven continuously to check the food, as this will release the heat and extend the cooking time.
- If you have decided to cook many dishes on different shelves, do not put too many pans on the lower one; in this case you would prevent the heat from reaching the food that is higher up.
Step 8. Be very careful if you smell gas
If you smell methane while cooking with such an oven, there may be a fuel leak. Turn off the oven immediately e Not use any electrical device, because there is a serious risk of explosion. Open a window and leave the house. Call the fire brigade from your cell phone or a neighbor's phone; do not use the mobile phone inside the home.
Method 3 of 3: High Altitude
Step 1. Take into account the altitude you live at
The quota interferes with cooking times, with temperature and even with the ingredients. Most recipes are not meant for high altitude preparation and need to be changed. If you live above 915m, then you need to adapt the recipe.
Step 2. Increase the temperature
When you turn on the oven, you need to set the temperature higher than the recipe indicates. If you live 915m or higher then you need to increase the heat level by 9-14 ° C.
- If you live at an altitude between 2134 and 2743m, then consider increasing the cooking times only.
- If you are cooking above 2743m of altitude, increase the temperature declared by the recipe by 14 ° C. Immediately after putting the food in the oven, lower the temperature according to the recipe instructions.
Step 3. Reduce cooking times
Since you have turned up the amount of heat, the dishes will be ready sooner than expected. Reduce cooking times by 1 minute for every 6 minutes indicated by the recipe.
For example, if the instructions say a cooking time of 30 minutes, reduce it to 25
Step 4. Place the food near the heat source
Most ovens are warmer on the bottom, so this is where you should put the pan to make sure the food cooks properly.
Advice
- Remember that each oven model is different and it may be necessary to adapt the cooking times indicated by the recipe. The dish may be ready sooner or later than described in the recipe.
- Make sure the oven door is firmly closed. Do not open it while you are cooking the food, otherwise it will release the heat and extend the cooking time.
- If you have an electric oven, you can use an oven thermometer. The heat inside the oven does not always perfectly respect the value set on the thermostat; for this reason it is worth inserting a thermometer and checking the reading, rather than relying on the light to go off or the acoustic signal to be activated.
- When cooking on several shelves, do not line up the pans but leave them out of phase: in this way the hot air inside the oven circulates evenly.
Warnings
- In some cases, the preparations should not be cooked in a hot oven and can be baked while the appliance is heating up. Check the recipe instructions.
- It is very important to preheat the oven (i.e. wait for it to reach the correct temperature). If you neglect this step, the food may remain partially raw or the cooking times may increase. Also, the food may cook unevenly.
- If you are using a gas oven and you smell methane, then there may be a fuel leak. Turn off the oven immediately e Not use any household appliance, because there is a real risk of explosion. Open the windows, leave the house and use the neighbors' phone or your cell phone to call the fire brigade. Do not use the mobile phone inside the home.
