Range & Wall Oven - Optimal Baking Performance

Many factors will affect the baking time when using your oven. For more accurate and optimal baking results, we suggest the following:

Preheating the Oven

Be sure to preheat the oven to the selected temperature. This can take 10 to 20 minutes depending on the temperature selected. Most models will have a Preheat signal that will alert you when the oven is ready.

 

• For more information on Preheat, see: Range & Wall Oven - Preheat

How Pans and Cookware Affect Results

The size, type, and the finish of a pan can affect baking and cooking performance. 

• Dark colored pans absorb more heat and can cause over-browning. When using a dark colored pan, you may need to lower the oven temperature 25 degrees to account for the dark finish or you may switch to a pan with a shiny finish.
• Do not use pans that are too large or too close to each other or the oven walls. Always make sure there is proper room for the heat to circulate up through the racks and around the food in the pans.
• Non-stick gray pans retain more heat and sometimes require a temperature reduction of 25 degrees lower than the recipe temperature.
• Glass pans sometimes require that you lower the temperature. This instructions can usually be found on the baking instructions for packaged products.
• When you use air bake-type pans (made with two layers of aluminum with a space for air between the layers), you may need to allow a little more time for the food to cook.

• Using pans that are larger than the recipe calls for can also affect the cooking time.

Rack Position Factors

• Be careful not to place the oven rack too close to the bottom of the oven.
• Do not put the racks in backwards. This will keep the door from shutting properly.
• Follow the instructions in the Owner's Manual for proper rack placement. Download a copy of the Owner's Manual
• See also: Range & Wall Oven - Proper Oven Rack Positions
   

The Effect of Door Openings

• Do not open the oven door while baking any more than necessary. Opening the door will cause the oven temperature to drop which affects the baking time and may cause you to think that your oven is not operating at the correct temperature.
• When baking multiple items consecutively, we recommend that the first pan be quickly removed and the next pan be quickly put in the oven to minimize the amount of time that the oven door is open. This decreases the amount of temperature change caused by opening the door.
• Use your oven timer and do not check for doneness until the minimum cooking time expires. This will help keep the temperature more stable.
• If you have a window in the oven door, we suggest using the oven light (if applicable) to look through the window to check the food.

Checking Temperature

Oven thermometers are often not the best way to measure oven temperature.

• The best way to see if your oven is cooking at the right temperature is the biscuit bake test. For more information about how to perform this easy test, visit:  Range & Wall Oven - Oven Temperature Bake Test.
• Using an oven thermometer can be used, though generally they are not always accurate or consistent. For ones that require you to open the oven door to read them, they may be even less accurate. Opening the door will cause the oven temperature to drop and you will think that your oven is not operating at the correct temperature.

Factors Affecting Cook Time

• Too much liquid or over-mixing
• Substituting ingredients that are labeled as low fat

Additional Support

For further information on the best use of the oven for optimum cooking performance, please consult the Owners Manual. Download a copy of the Owners Manual.