Maytag® oven set in cabinetry

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT OVEN SETTINGS AND SYMBOLS?

You might find it challenging to navigate different oven settings, figure out what each setting does and how to use them. Understanding various oven settings is crucial for conquering mealtime. Read this guide to explore and maximize your use of different oven settings to tackle any recipe.

COMMON OVEN SYMBOLS

While oven symbols may vary by brand, a few of the most common may frequently appear. For example, a symbol with a bar at the top and bottom may indicate that both elements will be used for conventional heating. A symbol with a single bar at the bottom may indicate bottom heat only. A fan symbol may indicate convection heating, while a plate graphic with steam lines above it may indicate the Warm setting. Keep reading to find out more about different oven settings and functions.

A Maytag® oven in a kitchen with white cabinets

13 OVEN SETTINGS & FUNCTIONS EXPLAINED

An oven is a staple appliance in any kitchen, and understanding its settings and functions can be a game-changer when it comes to cooking. From baking, broiling and roasting to reheating, warming and cleaning, ovens are typically equipped with several settings designed to suit your needs.

Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, understanding these oven settings will help you get your meals on the table. Explore 13 essential oven settings and functions below and learn more about how they work.

 Pizza cooking in an oven

1. PREHEAT & POWER PREHEAT

The Preheat setting on an oven is used to bring the oven to the desired temperature before cooking or baking. The exact temperature of the oven may climb slightly higher than the set temperature to compensate for heat lost when the door is opened and food is added, depending on your model. Preheating can help ensure the oven is at the right temperature for the food to be cooked or baked correctly.

 

The Preheat setting should be turned on at least 12-15 minutes before placing your food inside. Many ovens will indicate they have reached the desired temperature either with a sound or by lighting up or turning off an indicator light.


Select Maytag® ovens and ranges are equipped with Power Preheat, which helps minimize time spent in the kitchen so you can get back to doing what you want.

Muffins baking in an oven

2. BAKE

The Bake setting typically uses heating elements on the oven’s top and bottom to heat up the air inside. It usually operates at a temperature range of 200-375°F, with a typical temperature of 350°F. Baking is great for doughs, pasta dishes, thicker cuts of meat, casseroles and more.

Food roasting on both oven racks

3. ROAST

Roasting uses dry heat at higher temperatures (400-450°F) than baking. The Roast function is geared toward thick foods that require browning, while baking is ideal for retaining moisture in less structured foods like batter or dough. Ovens with only a Bake setting can generally also roast if you increase the temperature. Thick vegetables, whole cuts of meat and sheet pan meals are great for roasting.

Fish and asparagus broiling in an oven

4. BROIL

Broiling applies intense heat to the tops of dishes using only the upper heating element in the oven. Use this setting to quickly crisp delicate foods and brown the tops of prepared dishes. Temperatures range from 500-550°F, so keep an eye on your food while cooking. The Broil setting is not only limited to cooking and browning but can also be used to reheat and crisp up leftovers.

Maytag tip icon

With a grill pan, you may be able to use the Broil function to create your grilled favorites right in your oven. 

Rolls baking in an oven

5. CONVECTION BAKE (AIR BAKE)

Convection settings help cook dishes evenly across multiple racks, creating a golden-brown and crispy exterior without requiring you to rotate your dish. A convection oven uses a fan and an exhaust system to circulate hot air inside the oven’s cavity.


True convection ovens utilize three oven parts—a fan and two heating elements—to cook dishes quickly. Many ovens have convection and conventional controls. An oven that utilizes a fan and a heating element might also be called fan-forced.

Select Maytag® ovens feature true convection that uses a powerful third heating element and a sturdy fan to circulate hot air for all-around baking and roasting. Auto Convect Conversion is another convection feature on select models that converts a standard thermal bake cook time and temperature into an ideal cook time and temperature for convection cooking.

6. CONVECTION ROAST (AIR ROAST)

Convection Roast is similar to Convection Bake, using fan-assisted heating to circulate hot air throughout the oven cavity. This setting is ideal for dishes like pizza and casseroles or for cooking meat. Just like Convection Bake, Convection Roast can also yield a crispy, browned exterior.

SHOP MAYTAG® CONVECTION RANGES

Take care of mealtime with features like Power Preheat and True Convection for faster baking and roasting on select Maytag® convection ranges.

 Person removing food from air fryer basket

7. AIR FRY

The Air Fry setting uses an air fry basket, a heating element and a fan, typically located in the top section of the oven cavity, to rapidly circulate hot air around the food. This method crisps and browns your favorite fried foods with little to no oil, which can make it a healthier cooking option. Many ovens now come with air frying capabilities.


Select Maytag® ranges and ovens with Air Fry are here to deliver that crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside taste.

8. PROOF

Proof is another function your oven may have, and it’s used for activating the yeast in homemade bread. Ranges and wall ovens with a Proof setting typically use the halogen oven light for a warm temperature that helps yeast rise during proofing. The convection fan and oven light may switch on and off when the Proof function is in use.

9. WARM

Many ovens are equipped with a Warm setting to help your food stay at serving temperature. The Warm setting will typically keep your oven at a temperature of 170-200°F for up to an hour.

Select Maytag® ranges and ovens are equipped with a Keep Warm setting that uses low heat to keep food warm in your oven.

10. SABBATH MODE

In Sabbath Mode, the Bake setting can still be utilized, but certain features will be disabled. When this mode is enabled, other cooking and cleaning cycles will be disabled, there will be no audible tones, the display won’t indicate temperature changes and the oven light won't switch on or off. This allows the oven to be used for cooking or warming food during the Sabbath and other observances, in compliance with religious guidelines.

11. COOK TIME

The Cook Time setting can be really helpful when you don’t have time to keep a close eye on your meal. With the Cook Time setting, you can set your oven to turn on at a specific time of day, bake for a predetermined length of time and then shut off automatically.

12. DELAY START

Don’t want to start baking right away? The Delay Start feature allows you to enter the starting time for an oven function. However, when it comes to baking items like bread and cakes, it may be best not to use this setting as they may not bake properly.

Select Maytag® ovens feature a Delay Bake setting. With Delay Bake, you can place your dishes inside the oven and schedule when you want the baking to begin so your food is ready when you are.

13. SELF-CLEAN

A self-cleaning oven is designed to clean itself and reduce the need for manual scrubbing. It typically works by heating to very high temperatures and burning off the food residue.

Select Maytag® ranges and ovens feature the Steam Clean option which helps clean your oven in less than an hour. Just add water, run the cycle and wipe with a wet sponge when the cycle is finished.

HOW DO YOU SET THE OVEN TEMPERATURE?

To set your oven’s temperature, first choose the function, such as Bake or Convection Bake. Then, use your oven’s control panel or dial to set the temperature. Some ovens have arrows or plus and minus signs, while others have numbers on a pad or dial.

WHAT COOKS FOOD FASTER, THE TOP OR BOTTOM OF THE OVEN?

When it comes to baking and roasting, the top of the oven may cook food faster than the bottom. Hot air rises, so the top of the oven is usually hotter than the bottom.

The positioning of your oven rack can play an important role in how your foods cook. The placement of the oven rack will determine how much heat and air circulation reach your food, which can change cooking results.

DOES COOK TIME TURN OFF THE OVEN?

If you are using your oven’s Cook Time feature, the oven will shut off automatically when the cooking time ends. However, if you’re just using the regular oven timer, it will not.

 EXPLORE MAYTAG® OVENS & RANGES

Maytag® ovens are built to provide dependable results meal after meal. Whether you need to bake, broil or keep finished meals warm, features on select models like Power Preheat and Variable Broil have you covered. The True Convection feature on select models uses a powerful third heating element and a sturdy fan to circulate even temperatures for faster baking and roasting.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MAYTAG® APPLIANCES

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