Fan oven temperatures

A fan oven commonly runs about 20C lower than a conventional oven. Gas marks are broad bands rather than exact temperatures, so the closest mark is shown.

Temperature conversion limits

The converter uses the usual UK rule of thumb that a fan oven is around 20C lower than a conventional oven. Gas marks are approximate bands, while the actual temperature inside an oven can vary from the dial setting.

Preheat before cooking and use the visual checks in the recipe. An oven thermometer is useful when browning or baking is consistently uneven.

Oven temperature questions

What is 180C in a fan oven?

A common starting conversion is 160C fan. Recipes can vary, so check the food at the stated time and adjust only if your own oven consistently runs hot or cool.

What does Gas Mark 4 mean?

Gas Mark 4 is usually treated as about 180C conventional, 160C fan or 350F. It is a useful recipe shorthand rather than an exact temperature measurement.

Getting a reliable oven result

Place food on the shelf position suggested by the recipe and avoid opening the door repeatedly, as that lets heat escape. Dark tins and heavy trays can brown food faster than light-coloured tins, even at the same dial setting. If you cook the same kind of food often, note the setting that works in your oven and use that as your personal reference. The converter is most useful when a recipe comes from another country or gives only one oven type. It translates the setting, but the original recipe still provides the useful timing and visual cues.

If cakes rise unevenly, biscuits brown on one side or roast timings are consistently off, an inexpensive oven thermometer can show whether the dial matches the actual temperature. Check more than one shelf position before deciding the oven always runs hot or cold.

A simple kitchen rule

Treat the converted temperature as the dial setting, not a promise about cooking time. Keep the recipe's timing and visual checks, then note any adjustment your own oven regularly needs.