What do they mean by "Pre-heat"?

Question

When they say to preheat an oven, how long does it take to get hot enough to put the food in? Does anyone else wonder this?

Answer 1

Usually 10 minutes... just put the oven on the temperature that you want to cook at for 10 minutes...then you've got a "Pre-Heated" Oven!

Answer 2

Some ovens have a way to let you know when the oven reaches the set temperature ... some have a chime that dings, some have a digital display that show the current temperature, etc. If yours doesn't have anything like this, you can get an oven thermometer that you can hang on the rack and check every few minutes til the temp is right.

Usually, I set the oven temp before I start putting together whatever it is that I'm going to bake (roast, etc.), and by the time it's ready to go into the oven, the temp is where it is supposed to be.

I think directions are written this was a lot of times because ovens vary so much in the length of time they take to heat up and the heating period would add an uncontrolled, unspecified baking time, which could mess up the recipe results, so it's easier if everyone starts from the same place. There may also be health concerns with some dishes if they had a long slow warmup!

Answer 3

Oftentimes the oven when you first turn it on will have a light that is lit up and then when it's preheated it turns off. Some ovens are digital so it'll tell you the current oven temperature and if it's ready. I personally think it depends on the oven as to how fast it will heat up. Typically within a few minutes.

Answer 4

Pre-heat means to bring the oven to the correct temperature before you place what you are cooking into it.
The length of time it takes to reach the required temperature depends on the individual oven. Most ovens have an indicator light that switches off when the required temp has been reached. If yours doesn't, leave the oven on the set temp for about 20 minutes and it will have reached the right temp by then.

Answer 5

You want the oven to be at the proper temperature before putting the food in. If you don't, the food may not cook as well and/or in the time stated on the recipe.
Most newer oven tell you when they are at the right temperature. If your oven doesn't, then you should get an oven thermometer so you will know when it reaches the proper temperature.

Answer 6

Cooking instructinos that require pre-heating usually specify a temperature to which the oven should be pre-heated. The best way to handle this is to buy an oven thermometer, one that's designed to go inside an oven, and then pre-heat until the oven reaches the specified temperature.

More modern stoves and ranges will also tell you when an oven has reached a specific temperature.

Answer 7

it takes on an average about 20 minutes to preheat the oven to the recommended temp. that way you're oven is not heating up when the food is in it. theres oven themometers that hang from the racks (about $4.oo )if you dont have one built in ( where a light will go on/off when the oven reaches the temp its set at.

Answer 8

Most ovens will have a little light that will click off when the inside of the oven reaches the temperature it was set for. Some even have a digital display of the interior temperature. Cooking the food at a consistent temperature will ensure it is cooked thoroughly.

Answer 9

preheat
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To turn the oven on so it has time to come up to the desired cooking temperature. For years it was assumed it would generally take 20 minutes for an oven to reach the cooking temperature. Testing has shown most modern gas and electric ovens can do this in 8 minutes. Further testing has shown that cooking food in a cold oven for the same time as in a preheat one, showed no difference in the finished product.

Answer 10

Pre-heating means just making your oven hot before putting any food it it. Just turn it on to the directed temperature and length of time.