Cracking the code on oven symbols for stress-free cooking

Modern ovens come with a range of settings that can make your cooking easier and more efficient—once you know what they all mean, that is. Those little symbols on the control panel might seem confusing at first, but they hold the key to perfectly baked bread, crispy pizza, and flawlessly grilled dishes. By understanding each one, you’ll be able to make the most of your oven’s features and take the guesswork out of your cooking.

The essential go-to cooking settings

• Hot air (fan icon): Your reliable everyday setting that gets the job done by circulating heat evenly throughout the oven. This is perfect for multitasking, whether you’re roasting veggies, baking cookies, or doing a mix of everything. Consistency is key, and this setting delivers every time.
• Hot air with top heater: This setting focuses extra heat on the top of your dish, making it ideal for lasagna, gratins, and anything that needs that irresistible golden, crunchy finish.
• Hot air with bottom heater: Soggy pizza crust? No thanks! This setting ensures a perfectly crispy, golden base while still cooking your toppings evenly. It’s your go-to for achieving that flawless crust on pizzas, pies, and quiches.
• Conventional heating (no fan): Classic and dependable—this setting uses top and bottom heat to slowly and steadily cook your favourite bakes, from cakes to breads. If you’re going for that old-school, tried-and-true approach, this is the way to go.

Grill & crisp for the perfect crunch

• Large grill: When you’ve got a big batch of food to grill, this is your go-to. Juicy steak, a rack of ribs, or a bunch of chicken breasts—the large grill covers more surface area, giving you that perfect char and sizzle every time.
• Small grill: For those days when you’re just toasting up a sandwich or grilling some sausages, the small grill steps in to save energy while still delivering that satisfying crunch on top.
• Hot air with grill: If you’re in a rush but still want that crispy finish, this combo works wonders. It speeds up the process by circulating air while grilling, so your food cooks faster but still gets that golden, delicious crust.
• Bottom heater with grill: This setting gives you the best of both worlds—grilling the top while crisping the bottom. Think pies that need a crunchy base or dishes like quiche that benefit from that perfect mix of textures.

Special settings for specific dishes

• Air fry: Craving the crunch of fried food, without the guilt? The air fry setting is your healthy best friend, because it delivers crispy fries, wings, or even veggies without all the oil. You get all the flavour with none of the mess.
• Pizza program: This setting’s purpose is to give you the perfect pizza every time—no matter if you’re making it from scratch or reheating last night’s slice.
• Frozen baking: You don’t have to wait for your frozen goods to thaw—this setting heats frozen foods evenly and quickly. Whether it’s frozen croissants or a store-bought pizza, you’ll have dinner on the table in no time, without any soggy spots.

Convenience features to make life easier

• Defrost: We’ve all forgotten to take something out of the freezer in time, but the defrost setting comes to the rescue by gently warming frozen foods without cooking them.
• Keeping warm: Cooked something early but not quite ready to eat? The keeping warm function maintains your dish at the perfect temperature without overcooking. It’s ideal for dinner parties or family meals when timing is everything.
• Gentle bake: This setting is for when you’re handling delicate bakes, like soufflés, meringues, or custards. It provides a soft, even heat, so your creations rise beautifully without any cracks or burns.
• Plate warming: Nothing says “fancy dinner” like warm plates. This setting heats your plates just enough to keep your food piping hot when it hits the table, which is perfect for impressing guests or just making your meal feel a little more special.
• Steam assist: Want bakery-quality bread at home? The steam assist setting will quickly become your favourite. It adds just the right amount of moisture to your bake, making sure your bread is perfectly soft on the inside with that golden crust on the outside.”

Mastering your oven’s settings can transform your cooking from stressful to seamless. By using the right features, you’ll save time, energy, and consistently achieve the results you want, whether it’s a golden crust or a tender roast. With a better understanding of those symbols, your oven becomes a powerful tool to help you create delicious, perfectly cooked meals every time.