I know it sounds silly that I write an entire post on this but check these stats out:
- Since I started blogging, I have received 134 emails in total, with questions, comments, suggestions, etc
- 88 of them are baking-related questions
- 32 of them asked oven-related questions
- 18 of them are about pre-heating an oven
So, how do we pre-heat an oven. Its really very simple, in fact too simple, which is probably why many people have questions about it.
2 Steps to Pre-Heat your Oven
Step 1: Remove everything from the oven except the oven racks. Position them in the middle (where I leave them by default unless the recipe specifies otherwise). Turn on the oven and set the temperature to what the recipe specifies. Don't worry, nothing will explode! (Been there, feared that)
For eg: if it says "bake in a pre-heated oven at 180C / 350F" then that means you should turn your oven on to 180C / 350F. If your oven uses Gas, then there will be gas marks on the oven, just go online to get a conversion from centigrade or fahrenheit to gas mark.
Step 2: In most ovens, there will be a light or a "ping" indicator that changes colour or makes a ping noise when the oven has reached the desired temperature. This should take roughly 10-15 mins depending on temperature so turn on the oven mid-way through the preparation steps.
Most recipes call that as the first step but I usually find that too early so I do it mid-way through the preparation of the dough or batter or whatever.
That's it! Once your oven is pre-heated, place your item in and bake till done!
But wait, I hear some of you saying that your oven doesn't have a temperature knob. My mom has been using one of those for over 30 years. There's only an on-off button and absolutely nothing else, not even a light that goes green or orange. Its still okay, you can bake beautifully in this oven too. Just make sure you turn on the oven for a good 10 mins before placing the batter/dough in it to bake. Keep an eye on the time (as mentioned in recipe) and also the appearance of the baked item. For a cake, make sure you check if its rising, you can also try inserting a skewer to see if its coming out clean. If you need to, stop the oven for a bit, check and then re-start if its not done. Just make sure you are quick about it.
If you have any further questions, leave a comment and I will do an FAQ post 🙂
Ritu
I have a non convection microwave how can I pre heat it there are only micro and grill mode
nags
Just leave it on for 15 minutes, that should be enough
Anonymous
A pizza receipe says to preheat oven to 220 degree, and then keep dough inside for 7 minutes. My doubt is when keeping the dough inside , what must be the temperature. Same 220 degrees or it has to be changed
Nagalakshmi V
yes bake with the same temperature as the temperature you use for pre-heating the oven
eugenepvj
Hi Nagalakshmi,
Thanks, for this blog about Pre-heating oven. I have some doubts,
I recently brought a cooking range (brand is ARISTON, full gas)My oven is also gas and in that temp is return as Min . .160 . 180 . 220 . . Max , like this not mentioned Celsius or Fahrenheit and if i want to pre-heat the oven to 350degrees what shoul i do? Do i have to put it max. Also , can you please tell me how to use oven thermometer. Can i put the thermometer inside the oven while caking and grilling. Please kindly guide me.
Mangala Gnanesh
In my gas oven, there are no gas marks like 1, 2, to 9 on the knob through which i can set the temperature. But in the oven door there is a marker which has temperature needle and marks written in degrees. so just wanted to know how should i use it or how should i preheat such type to gas oven. there is no timer also but i can set that on my mobile. but only the temperature setting is a problem for me.
Nagalakshmi V
I have never used, or even seen, a gas oven Mangala. So I am not sure how to pre-heat a gas oven.
Sharan
I have prepared the idli-dosa batter. I dont know how to ferment it in oven. Could u please tell me how to make it.
Aishwarya
Hi, After years of browsing (drooling) over baked goodies, i finally have the time now to actually start baking :-). We are expats in malaysia and looking at buying a small oven. Would you recommend any specific model?? which one do you use. Love your blog and amazing photos.
Cheers
Aish
Nagalakshmi V
I use a delonghi conventional oven. not sure if you get that in malaysia. you could also consider getting a microwave convection oven that does the microwave's job and an oven's job. do some research, look around, ask questions 🙂 I am not sure of ovens available in Malaysia
Anonymous
Hi Nags
I hav a morphy richards 25 ltr convention oven, tried baking cakes several times, bt failed.
I would like to know, what is the correct way of baking the cake in it?
How do i preheat my oven, as it doesnot clearly provide the settings to preheat .......
Nagalakshmi V
i have no idea because i haven't used a morphy richards oven before. please check your instruction manual or check with the store you bought it from
Nagalakshmi V
Anita, try medium.
Anon, if your oven is MW convection, you can turn it on and pre-heat as specified above. If you are using regular microwave to bake, then you shouldn't pre-heat.
Anonymous
Dear Nags,
I intend to prepare Pineapple Macaroni. In the recipe I found in Google it says to Preheat the Oven @ 180 C. I have a microwave oven. Is is possible to bake a macaroni in Microwave? If yes the how to preheat the same?
Anita
Hi,
Please help.I have a IFB 170PM MEC model(solo) which has temp as high,med high,medium,medium low etc..if i have to preheat the oven 180C/350F which mode shud i keep it on :(:(..