Max Fletcher

A loud oven fan usually means something’s off, like food buildup, a loose blade, or a fan motor that’s wearing out. The fan in your oven helps circulate hot air for even cooking and also cools things down after you’re done. But when it starts rattling, grinding, or humming louder than usual, it’s a sign […]

A convection oven usually takes 5 to 10 minutes to preheat to 350°F (175°C). That’s faster than a regular oven, thanks to its built-in fan that pushes hot air around the food. The exact time depends on how hot you want it, the size of the oven, and whether it’s brand new or a bit

A smoking oven during cooking usually means something is burning, like leftover grease, old food bits, or even cleaning chemicals. It could also be a faulty heating element or just your brand-new oven burning off factory coating. Sometimes, it’s simply because the food is too close to the heat or the temperature’s cranked up too

An oven takes a long time to preheat when something’s slowing down how it heats up or holds heat. This could be a weak heating element, a loose door seal letting hot air escape, or a temperature sensor sending the wrong signals. Even extra racks, hidden heating elements, or a cold kitchen can drag out

Opening the oven door while baking lets out a big rush of heat, which can cause your cake or cookies to collapse, bake unevenly, or take longer to finish. The sudden temperature drop messes with how your food cooks, especially if it needs steady heat to rise properly. Cakes are the most sensitive, but breads,

Yes, you can use a pizza stone in almost any oven—including gas, electric, convection, and even toaster ovens—if it fits and heats evenly. The key is to place the stone in a cold oven, let it preheat fully, and handle it carefully to avoid cracks or damage. A good pizza stone helps you get that

Yes, a microwave convection oven can bake like a regular oven, as long as you’re using the convection mode. It has a heating element and a fan that circulates hot air, helping your food cook evenly, brown nicely, and come out with that baked texture you’d expect from a full-size oven. In this article, we’re

A typical electric oven uses between 2,000 and 5,000 watts per hour, which means it draws 2 to 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity if running at full power the entire time. But here’s the thing—most ovens don’t run at full blast the whole time. They cycle on and off to maintain the temperature, so real

Yes, you can use aluminum foil in a convection oven, but you need to be careful. It’s safe for wrapping food, covering dishes, or lining baking trays—as long as you don’t block airflow or let the foil touch the oven’s fan or heating elements. These small details can make a big difference in how your

The main difference between bake and roast settings is the temperature and the type of food being cooked. Baking usually uses lower heat, around 325 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and is ideal for softer foods like cakes, cookies, and casseroles. Roasting uses higher heat, often 400 degrees or more, and works best for firm foods