Understanding Your Oven and Why Preheating is a Must

Understanding your oven and how it behaves can make a world of difference in how your cakes rise or your cookies spread.

Why The Temperature is So Important

First things first, the temperature dial is not just a wheel of fortune, it is everything when it comes to baking. Baking is a science and temperature control is the most important thing in your laboratory - too low and you might end up undercooking your cake or causing it to be too dense, too high and things could burn or dry out before they have even had a chance to rise.

Every recipe will come with the optimum temperature to allow the magic to happen, epending on what you're making - butter to melt, sugar to caramelise, dough to spread etc.

Preheating - Non-Negotiable

We've all been there, we are in a rush, we forgot to turn on the oven, we are tempted to skip the preheating step - STOP! Consider this a friendly warning.

So why is it so important to preheat your oven to the exact temperature? Most baked goods rely on hitting the oven when it is hot enough to set the chemical reactions in motion right away. It's just like stepping into a bath or warm water, just at the perfect temperature for you to lie down and relax - no shock to the system and having to top it up with warm water, just an enjoyable experience. When you put your cake into a hot oven, it gets the head start it needs to rise, brown and cook evenly.

Skipping preheating means your cake batter is just sitting there, slowly warming up, which can lead to uneven bakes, strange textures and even a flat top.

How Long Should You Preheat Your Oven For?

Most ovens take aorund 10-15 minutes, some electric ovens have a preheat indicator light so you know it's ready. A Few Extra Oven Tips :

Get To Know Your Oven

All ovens are a little different, some are hotter at the back, a gas oven will be hotter at the top, some ovens mayhave a hot spot on one side and a fan oven will circulate the air so all shelves should bake evenly. If you have are getting serious about baking, an oven thermometer is a good idea.

Don't Peek Too Soon

I know it's tempting, but don't open the oven door too soon, each time you open the door the temperature will drop as the hot air escapes and it will affect the outcome and slow down baking time.

Rack Position Matters

For most cakes and bakes the middle rack is the sweet spot. For bread, the bottom of the oven will help develop a lovely crust.

Conversion

You may come across a recipe that gives a temperature for a different type of oven, worry not, here is a quick conversation chart.

So next time you head to the kitchen to whip up a baking masterpiece, make sure you allow enough time to preheat that oven and double check the temperature. Happy Baking