Why do we always need to "preheat" the oven?

Answer 1

No two ovens heat evenly at the same temperature.
In order to ensure the recipe will work for everyone we preheat them!
.

Answer 2

Different ovens reach the set temperature at different rates, some faster, some slower. In order for the baking time to be consistent between ovens, if we all preheat to the same temp, the baking time should be the same for each of us : )

I read in a cook book many years ago that you actually only need to preheat the oven when the baking time is less than 45 min. If the baking time is greater, the effect of a few min. of a lesser temp. is very small. Ever since then, if something bakes 50 min or longer, I don't preheat - and it truly hasn't made a difference.

Answer 3

.
Because if you have to bake something for a certain amount of time at a certain temperature, you have to actually achieve that temperature before you start to bake the thing. If you stick, say, a meat loaf in the oven, and then turn it on, you are starting your baking at room temperature. The prescribed amount of time would not fully cook your meat loaf in an oven that is cooler than it is supposed to be.

Basically, we preheat the oven so that our recipes will work and food will cook thoroughly. I agree with other answerers, though, that we probably don't need to do it for as long as we used to. I use a rule of thumb of one minute of preheating for every hundred degrees. If I need the oven to be at 350, I preheat for three and a half minutes.
.

Answer 4

first of all i want to say I LOVE YOUR USER NAME -- thats what i call my son "my little rollie pollie" (im guessing they are pronounced the same)

now for my answer:

Preheating an oven is essential or you will throw off the cooking times. All cooking times are based on a preheated oven unless otherwise stated in the recipe. Luckily, when most (modern) ovens reach their desired temperature, they beep at you, or a light goes on or off. You then know it is OK to put food in the oven and start the timer.

hope that helped

Answer 5

Conspiracy to get you to use more energy? Honestly, though, I don't think we need to preheat for as long as instructions usually say . . . I think for a few minutes just to let the oven get ready to do its job. I think the idea of preheating for a long while was back when ovens weren't as efficient as they are now.

Answer 6

You don't always have to preheat your oven before putting your food in it.If you are baking a cake ,cookies brownies or something like that you must preheat first.If you are baking a chicken,a casserole,baked beans or such you don't have to preheat the oven before you put it in.It will not affect the outcome.It will affect the outcome of cakes and such.

Answer 7

so you can cook your food evenly. i have tried cooking a pizza in a non preheated and a preheated oven. the preheated oven just cooked more even.

Answer 8

I personally prefer the term ADOPTEE. I have never thought twice about it. The term "adopted person" just sounds.... well... kinda weird to me. Everyone has their own personal views as to why they want to be called either or and no matter how you say it, somebody out there will be offended one way or another. Adoption and some of the subjects that go along with it are no doubt, VERY, VERY DELICATE SUBJECTS. But at the same time, some are, I feel, a little hypersensitive when it comes to this subject. I guess perhaps due to their life experiences. I don't feel that either label is less validating, one is just more direct and to the point.

Answer 9

Preheatint the oven assures correct cooking. If not, then the item is cooked with rising temps, and the center may not be done when the outsides are already done.

Answer 10

To ensure that the oven is to the proper temperature to cook your recipe correctly! :)