Even those who often cook in the oven are not immune to mistakes in its use. Many do not use it to the maximum or certain functions that make their work easier, and some make the wrong decisions based on common life hacks. Several useful recommendations from Novate.ru will help to avoid spoilage of dishes and the equipment itself.
1. Wrong choice of place for the grill
The position of the rack in the oven plays an important role in the correct preparation of the dish. Even a preheated oven does not have a uniform temperature inside. The top of the oven always has hotter air. Therefore, this place is best for creating a golden brown crust, for example, on macaroni and cheese, casserole or fruit chips. The bottom of the oven is best for browning, so it is best to place pizza or fried vegetables there. Just don't send cookies there, as chances are good that the bottom will burn. The middle section in the oven is where the temperature is most uniform. This is an ideal place for preparing desserts and various pastries, where they will be baked evenly.
2. The convection function is not used
Even if there is convection in the oven, many do not use it. However, this is a very useful function that connects the fan and the exhaust system to work. This makes the hot air flow in the oven more even. Convection also helps to make food crisp, as excess moisture is removed through the exhaust system. By enabling this function, you can cook efficiently at lower temperatures. Also, with the help of convection, cooking time is shortened due to the correct air circulation.
Helpful advice: To get the most out of the convection mode, it is advisable to use dishes with low walls and not overload the oven.
3. The oven is not used as a dish care assistant
Even very high-quality and expensive pans get very dirty from time to time. Then they have to be rubbed off for a long time and persistently, wasting time, energy and good mood. However, this whole procedure can become much easier if you connect the oven to the fight. All you need to do is just preheat the dishes in the oven for half an hour, so that the frozen fat and burnt food pieces in the pan, baking sheet or pizza stone become more pliable for cleaning.
4. The color of the dishes is not taken into account
Many people believe that no matter what dish they cook in, the cooking time will not change. In fact, this is not the case. Dark dishes not only heat up faster, but also stay hot longer than lighter ones. This is especially important for the preparation of all kinds of desserts. In a dark container, they will bake a little faster and brown a little longer. For a crispier crust like bread, it is best to use a dark or cast iron pan. If you need to cook something more delicate, such as a cake, which should not have a noticeable crust, transparent or light-colored dishes will be suitable.
5. The gasket does not change
Any thing requires proper care. The oven is no exception. If something in it does not work properly, then its performance and the quality of the prepared dishes deteriorate. The most common weak point is the gasket, which does not properly seal the door. Then the set temperature is not maintained, and moisture appears on the inside of the glass. The part is inexpensive and easy to change, so don't ignore the problem if you have one.
6. The bottom of the oven is covered with foil
Grease and food residues on the bottom of the oven can be a serious cleaning problem. In an effort to avoid this problem, some cover the bottom of the oven with foil to simply remove the dirt later. However, this can lead to even more serious difficulties. The foil creates a reflection, which will cause the baked goods to cook too quickly. It can also block heat, interfere with flames, and obstruct air flow - all of which can lead to improper cooking. The foil can even melt at the bottom of the oven, causing it to deteriorate and invalidate the warranty. It is capable of completely blocking the air flow, which will lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
7. The oven is not used for "hard roasting"
The degree of readiness of the food can be varied by placing the wire shelf correctly in the right part of the oven. However, few people use a life hack, with a complete lack of a grid. If you remove it and put the baking sheet directly on the bottom of the oven, you can achieve an interesting result: the vegetables will be completely fried and have a beautiful crisp. The most powerful flow of heat is generated at the bottom of the oven, thanks to which the effect of caramelization and roasting can be achieved, even better than in a pan and regular fire. At the same time, the inside of the product will have a delicate consistency. This recipe must be used along with a large amount of oil, in which vegetables will be cooked.
There are also tricks, like to reduce your utility bills without compromising your habits.