Baking basics was a page I didn’t know would become a favorite on my blog. My baking basics page is very useful for beginners. I get inspired by the great feedback and encouragement to write more.
Regular readers might recall that I wrote a post about my Morphy Richards OTG. However, with the new models on the market, it looks outdated.
Even though my Sunflame oven is only one year old, I decided to make a new post. My videos are popular, so I made a video showing the interiors and functions of my OTG.
You can read the text if you enjoy reading. If you prefer visuals, you can view the video below. I’ve tried to cover every function you need for baking success. You can also visit my Baking Basics Page (click the name to go page).
How to Choose an Oven
Sunflame 66lt is my oven, but all ovens on the market have the same knobs, so you can easily read this post regardless of brand. Consider how much you plan to bake before you decide on a brand and capacity.
A smaller oven is best if you bake for a small family or if you only do it occasionally. If you often bake and have a large family, you can go for 30-40 lt ovens.
If you’re looking to open your own bakery, a larger oven is a good choice. I get asked a lot whether to purchase an OTG or MW Convection. I would recommend that you go with OTG.
Convection ovens can be too small for bread baking. If you’re really passionate about baking and want to succeed in this field, I recommend an OTG. For your cooking needs, you can always purchase a single MW (I have done that).
Learn the Inside of the Oven
Filaments
The filament is what makes an MW convection oven and an OTG different. OTG uses two filaments. One on the top heats up the dish, and the other circulates hot air.
OTGs have a fan that circulates hot air inside. The combination of the fan and filament heats the oven evenly, reducing hot spots.
Trays
Three trays are included with every oven. One is for baking cookies, and the other for placing your baking tins. The wire rack can be used to grill kebabs on one side.
The drip tray stays at the bottom of the oven and collects drips. A rotisserie rod can also be used to grill whole chickens. It is not something I enjoy, so I have included it in the post. However, your manual will assist you in finding the answer.
The temperature knob is the first dial that you will see when you look at the side panel. The temperature settings are displayed. It is usually in degrees Celsius in India, but it may also be in Fahrenheit in some places.
Mine is in degC. The minimum temperature is 100°C, and the maximum is 250°C. The dial can be turned to adjust the temperature as needed or according to the recipe.
The function selector is next. You can use best OTG in india to perform many functions, such as grilling, baking, and rotisserie. You need to choose the right function for the dish you’re going to make.
The square is the first. It switches on the oven’s light and heats it up when you choose it. If the temperature is too cold, you can use it to proof your bread dough.
The second switch turns on both the fan and filaments. This is the method I use to bake my cookies, cakes, and bread.
Next, only the top filament is turned on, and the fan is disabled. This setting can be used for grilling foods. You can grill any dish by placing the tray on the top rack.
Next, the dial turns on only filaments. The fan is off. This setting can be used to heat up a toaster or for other purposes that don’t require the fan. You can use it for baking cookies and cakes.
Next comes the Rotisserie setting. This switches on the top filament as well as the Rotisserie rod, which turns when attached. This is useful for grilling whole chickens marinated in spices.
The last one turns on all heating elements within, i.e., the fan, filaments, and rotisserie rod. This can be used for combination dishes. It is rarely used.
The last dial is the timer knob. You have two options: you can set the timer, or you can select to keep the oven on until you turn it off. You can set the timer around 60 minutes, but it’s better to leave it on if you plan to use your oven all day.
Preheating:
Many people ask me about preheating. Why should we preheat an oven? Let me explain. The oven’s temperature is set to the ambient temperature when it is turned on.
Each recipe will specify the right temperature for each dish. It takes time for the oven to reach the desired temperature. The oven’s interior temperature will not be what is stated in the recipe when it turns on.
The oven will consume some time to heat up to the right temperature. You may be asked to bake in a cold oven. To do this, you simply need to set the temperature and turn it on.
If the recipe does not specify, you will need to adjust the oven temperature and allow it to heat up for the desired temperature. Before placing the dish in the oven, I heat it for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Preheating takes 15-20 minutes and is crucial to ensure that your dish is baked properly. It is usually preheating the oven to 180°C.
Some readers have asked regarding the baking temperature tips. If the recipe does not mention another temperature, the baking temperature will be the same as the preheating temperatures.
Baking
We have seen every function of an Agaro OTG. Now we’ll indicate the process to set up an oven before it bakes. Please read the instructions carefully. You will need to determine the rack where the tray should be placed.
Also, verify the temperature, the baking time, and any other information regarding baking. The temperature must be set first. Next, set the function according to the recipe.
This could be baking, roasting, or grilling. The timer can be set to remain on, or you can add the baking time and preheating times and then set the timer.
Turn on the oven, and then wait for the preheating to finish. Open the oven and place your dish in it. Close it immediately. Wait for the baking to finish. Do not open the oven before that. After the timer is up, turn the oven off. Once the baking has ended, take the dish out of the oven.
Understanding Your Oven:
Each oven is unique. Once you have an ideal oven functions’ understanding, it will be easy to set up an oven for baking. The results might vary, and this is why.
You are given the recipe by the author, keeping in mind his/her oven. Your oven may be different and work differently.
It is important to know how your oven heats up, if there are hot spots, whether it heats evenly if the temperature is right for the setting, and so forth. This can take time. Sometimes it can consume months to get the hang of the oven. It may seem frustrating at first, but you’ll soon enjoy it.
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