Here’s where people get burned—literally. If you use the same temp as a regular oven, you’ll cook your food like a supervillain: faster, but also charred on the outside and weepy in the middle. The rule of thumb is to reduce the temperature by 25°F (about 14°C) or, as I call it, “the temperature of a mild argument.”
Also check the time at least ten minutes early, because that fan is relentless. I once over-cooked a lasagna by three minutes, and it turned into a cheesy brick you could use as a doorstop. Don’t be me.
The “Can I Convection This?” Test
Not all foods are fans of the fan. Things like soufflés, custards, and delicate cakes prefer a still, gentle heat—imagine a librarian instead of a cheerleader. The constant air blast can make them collapse like a bad joke at a meeting. But for roasted veggies, meats, pastries, and anything you want crispy, convection is your new best friend.
Puff pastry? It will rise like it’s trying to escape the pan. Frozen fries? They’ll get so crunchy they might actually insult you with their superiority.
Convection vs Conventional Ovens Explained [April 2026]