Baking in a fan oven

[Yorkie580]

When baking cakes in a fan oven, am I better to reduce the temperature, but cook for the suggested time, or use the suggested temperature but for a shorter time?

[Roughquest]

Hmm, good question - but in my oven's instruction book and most recipes it says to reduce the temperature and cook for the desired time as a fan oven distributes th heat evenly hence you need less heat.

[Bimbo2010]

Most important thing with sponges is to put it in the oven when it is cold. I know this sounds weird but otherwise the blast of heat from the fan forms a crust which stops sponges from rising. Otherwise, yes generally lower temperature is required. Most modern recipe books give alternatives for fan ovens. (If you are feeling cheeky you could check the cheats cakes in the supermarket for their temps and timings xx

[Yorkie580]

Thnak you both... I think I'll experiment a bit.

[heathfield]

Experiment. You'll find some foods do better one way, some the other

[ruthie]

Bimbo2010 does that mean you have to increase the cooking time if you put sponges in a cold oven or do you time the sponges when oven is at correct temp? I'm not much good with sponges but maybe your tips will work for me!