
Anyone with oven at home told to learn what 'key' symbols mean
Anyone who owns an oven has been issued vital advice. You need to pay attention to what certain setting symbols mean.
London, UK - Many home cooks may be unknowingly misusing their ovens due to a lack of understanding of common oven symbols. A recent guide from 'Which?', the UK's consumer champion, aims to demystify these controls, helping users achieve better cooking results. The guide highlights several key symbols and their optimal uses. The classic fan oven symbol, characterized by a fan icon, is ideal for most types of cooking, especially when utilizing multiple shelves, as it distributes heat evenly. For dishes requiring heat primarily from the bottom, such as stews, casseroles, or to crisp the base of a pizza or pastry, the symbol depicting a single line at the bottom of a square is recommended. Conversely, the symbol with lines at both the top and bottom indicates heat from both elements, suitable for single-shelf cooking of items like large cakes, scones, or roasting meat. The video also explains various grilling options. The full grill, represented by a zigzag line at the top, is perfect for sizzling foods like sausages and bacon, or for browning the top of dishes like lasagna. Some grills may require the oven door to be open, while others are designed for a closed door, necessitating a check of the oven's manual. For thicker cuts of meat or fish that need thorough cooking without burning the top, the grill with fan setting (zigzag line with a fan) spreads heat more evenly. Finally, the half-grill setting, showing a shorter zigzag line, heats only one section of the grill, requiring food to be placed directly underneath for effective cooking. Understanding these symbols can significantly enhance cooking efficiency and food quality for home chefs.
Anyone who owns an oven has been issued vital advice. You need to pay attention to what certain setting symbols mean.