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Settle an argument for me. Do you do this...

246 replies

PinkBalloon123 · 06/12/2019 07:49

When cooking frozen food, chips or a birds eye breaded chicken etc. I just whack it in the oven for half an hour job done. But...

do you heat the oven up first?

OP posts:
isabellerossignol · 06/12/2019 07:50

Depends if I'm in a hurry or not

tinselvestsparklepants · 06/12/2019 07:51

I never used to. Dh does religiously. If he is in the kitchen I do so too, but not if I'm on my own. Zero difference in food outcome.

areyouafraidofthedark · 06/12/2019 07:51

I don't heat the oven up first, I just add on an extra few minutes to make sure everything's cooked properly.

InMySpareTime · 06/12/2019 07:52

I allow an extra 5 minutes on the cooking time for a cold start.
I sometimes warm the oven, if I remember, but modern ovens warm quickly so it doesn't make much difference really.

HowlsMovingBungalow · 06/12/2019 07:52

Always heat oven up and wait for oven temp light to go off and then add food to be cooked.
Have read somewhere it doesn't make a difference with modern ovens anymore.

Dinosauraddict · 06/12/2019 07:53

I always warm oven for at least 10 mins before putting anything in! My DM thinks I'm ridiculous and refuses to.

Hollycumpooster · 06/12/2019 07:54

I always heat the oven first. I assumed that the instructions that say heat the oven to... means without the food in it Xmas Grin

GreatBritishbakeofffan · 06/12/2019 07:55

Yes I always pre- heat the oven. I worry I might make the kids ill if it doesn't heat through properly. My Dh also doesn't agree with me.

clippityclop · 06/12/2019 07:55

I click the oven on while putting stuff on to trays and setting the table. I find the result better from full heat.

WhatchaMaCalllit · 06/12/2019 07:55

Eh yes. I don't expect an oven to instant each 180 degrees or 220 degrees. I leave a few minutes for it to reach the optimum temperature and then whack the food in.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 06/12/2019 07:55

My oven has a rapid heat function so doesn’t take long so no-unless I’m baking cakes

funmummy48 · 06/12/2019 07:56

Yes, I always preheat the oven.

Daisydoola · 06/12/2019 07:56

No I've never pre heated an oven.

fishonabicycle · 06/12/2019 07:57

No - generally just chuck it in when I turn the oven on.

Redcherries · 06/12/2019 07:57

My oven takes 20 minutes at least to get to temperature, so I do now, I didn’t before though.

Oysterbabe · 06/12/2019 07:57

I don't. DH does.
He has no confidence in the kitchen so follows the instructions on the box, if it says preheat the oven then he will. I know when this matters and when it doesn't.

EdithWeston · 06/12/2019 07:58

I don't preheat oven (because as one tends to it well in advance, it means it's on for longer and that's wasteful)

I add a bit to the cooking time.

NobJobWinker · 06/12/2019 07:58

Depends if I'm in a rush or not

If I don't properly warm the oven first I will add a minute or two to the timer though to ensure its cooked through

20viona · 06/12/2019 07:59

Yeah I do but only 5 mins or so

adriennewillfly · 06/12/2019 07:59

I have a gas oven - it gets to temp so quickly, you don't need to preheat. My electric oven takes 10 mins to get to temp, so I do preheat that one.

ShippingNews · 06/12/2019 07:59

Yes always.

EarlGreyT · 06/12/2019 07:59

No, never for frozen food. I just give it an extra 5 minutes or so from the instructions on the packet.

lifeisgoodagain · 06/12/2019 08:00

No, but I cook on gas - it's a lot quicker to heat than electric

Witchend · 06/12/2019 08:00

No.

dalmatianmad · 06/12/2019 08:01

My oven is shit, seems to cook much better when I reheat it

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