General Convection Oven Recipe Conversion Guidelines
There are three commonly accepted methods of converting recipes from conventional oven baking to convection oven baking.
- Bake at the same conventional oven temperature but for a shorter period of time.
- Bake for the same length of time as you would using a conventional oven but reduce the temperature by 25 degrees.
- Bake
for a slightly shorter period of time and a reduced temperature. This
tends to be the most successful method for most ovens.
When Should Convection Cooking Be Used Rather Than Conventional Cooking
Foods
cooked in a convection oven cook about 25% - 30% faster than a
conventional oven as the hot air is forced around the food. Foods tend
to have less moisture loss and fewer nutrients are destroyed in the
cooking process.
One of the most important factors when
determining which cooking method is most appropriate for your food is
the type of dish or pan you are cooking in. If the cooking container
blocks the flow of air around the food then there is no use in using
convection cooking.
Convection Cooking Is Good For
- Cookie sheets
- Shallow pans
Convential Cooking Is Good For
- Covered casseroles, pans or dishes
- Deep roasting pans
More Convection Cooking Tips
Manufacturer Guidelines
Follow
the recommendations from the manufacturer of the oven. Your oven
typically shipped with a user guide. It is a good idea to familiarized
yourself with the specifics for your own oven. If you don't have a user
manual then try contacting the manufacture to obtain a copy. Many
provide printable copies online.
Air Circulation
Air
circulation is important. Don't cover racks with foil. Allow 1 to 1 1/2
inches around pans (also above and below pans for multi-rack baking).
Use Proper Pans
For
maximum browning, use pans with low sides, and rimless cookie sheets.
Many ovens come with special pans and racks that lift roasts so air
flows all around. If possible, place the long sides of the pan parallel
to the oven door.
Roast meats and poultry
Preheating
is not necessary. Place meats on a rack in the roasting pan for better
browning. Roasting time may be 20 to 30 percent less than in a
conventional oven if temperatures aren't reduced. Some ovens offer a
special roasting mode that provides top and/or bottom browning or an
initial surge in heat in addition to the fan. These modes make it easy
to get optimum results in a shorter time.
Small Roasts or Unstuffed Poultry
Do
not reduce oven temperatures for small pieces, skinny roasts, or
unstuffed poultry. In our tests, we roasted a 3 1/2-pound chicken at
375 |degrees~. In about an hour, about 20 percent less time than for
conventional cooking, it was beautifully browned, with succulent flesh.
Dense Roasts & Stuffed Turkeys
For
large, dense roasts and big stuffed turkeys, you may need to reduce the
temperature 25 |degrees~ during part or all of the roasting time. When
you lower the temperature, the meat may be juicier and shrink less, but
it will take longer to cook.
Convection Cooking Charts
Method 1: Reduce temp by 25 to 30 degrees and bake per conventional recipe time |
Conventional Oven Temp | Convection Less 25F | Convection Less 30F |
225 | 200 | 195 |
250 | 225 | 220 |
275 | 250 | 245 |
300 | 275 | 270 |
325 | 300 | 295 |
350 | 325 | 320 |
375 | 350 | 345 |
400 | 375 | 370 |
425 | 400 | 395 |
450 | 425 | 420 |
475 | 450 | 445 |
500 | 475 | 470 |
525 | 500 | 495 |
550 | 525 | 520 |
Method 2: Bake at conventional oven temperature but reduce cooking time by 25%-30% less |
Conventional Baking Time In minutes | 25% Less Time | 30% Less Time |
10 | 8 | 7 |
15 | 11 | 10.5 |
20 | 15 | 14 |
25 | 19 | 17.5 |
30 | 23 | 21 |
35 | 26 | 24.5 |
40 | 30 | 28 |
45 | 34 | 31.5 |
50 | 38 | 35 |
55 | 41 | 38.5 |
60 | 45 | 42 |
65 | 49 | 45.5 |
70 | 53 | 49 |
75 | 56 | 52.5 |
80 | 60 | 56 |
85 | 64 | 59.5 |
90 | 68 | 63 |
95 | 71 | 66.5 |
100 | 75 | 70 |
105 | 79 | 73.5 |
110 | 83 | 77 |
115 | 86 | 80.5 |
120 | 90 | 84 |
125 | 94 | 87.5 |
130 | 98 | 91 |
135 | 101 | 94.5 |
140 | 105 | 98 |
145 | 109 | 101.5 |
150 | 113 | 105 |