Why Am I Burning My Food?

Why Am I Burning My Food

Finding a delicious recipe and pinning it or snapping a quick pic of it is instrumental in getting it on your table. But first, if it’s a hot meal, that means cooking it to perfection. But there’s nothing worse than following the recipe only to get a burned meal that certainly doesn’t look as amazing as the picture.

So, why is your food burning or not cooking as expected?

Simple Things to Consider When Cooking

  • Forgetting to check the oven settings in the instructions of the recipe. Especially if working with a professional oven with smart features, such as Wolf, you will want to ensure that you are using the correct settings for the recipe.
  • It may be that your oven runs hotter than the oven of the person writing the recipe. It’s always good (especially with a new recipe) to check your meal earlier on to see how it’s doing. Maybe even set your timer a bit earlier so you can check on your food before it’s too late.
  • Swapping ingredients can cause unexpected burning. This can happen if you’re using a different oil or flour than the original recipe calls for. Some oils and flours will bake faster than canola oil or white flour.
  • If you split the recipe in half, your cooking/baking time will need to be reduced as well in order to ensure proper cooking time.

Tips for NOT Burning Your Food

  • Always read the oven settings and baking time in the instructions of your recipe.
  • Use a timer. It’s easy to get distracted and a set timer will always remind you. With smart appliances this should be quite easy.
  • If the recipe calls for a metal baking tray or glass, then use the one called for. Different types of materials can heat up differently, either faster or slower.
  • Placing your food on the correct rack as stated in the recipe and per your oven’s instructions.
  • The thickness and density of the food change how well it bakes or cooks. This may be different than what is being called for in the recipe, so it’s something to keep in mind.

Why Does My Pan Burn Food?

  • It may be a lack of liquid in the pan, water or oil, or simply not enough.
  • Another thing is to ensure you aren’t cooking with too high a heat. If the liquid disappears before you’re done cooking then you’re probably using a heat setting that is too high.
  • After each use make sure to clean the inside and outside of your pan, (whether it is non-stick, ceramic, or teflon) to get rid of any accumulation of food which could burn.
  • It could be the quality of the pan. Thin gauge aluminum will be more likely to burn. Heavier pans would avoid this.

Why Does My Wolf Oven Burn Food?

  • Using the wrong pans could be causing this. Cooking with glass, glass ceramic or dark metal pans actually holds more heat than shiny pans.
  • If using convection, ensure you reduce the temperature by 25 degrees or cooking time by one quarter. Recipes will often include separate convection oven settings.
  • It may be that the oven needs to be calibrated.
  • Before scheduling for help with Wolf Ovens check out Wolf Troubleshooting. If the problem does not resolve you can schedule an appointment with your local Wolf Certified Technicians here.

Why Isn’t My Oven Ready When Preheating Is Over?

If you have a gas stove it could be from a faulty igniter:

A way to tell is by sound, if you hear a loud “whoomph” sound, this would be something to address quickly. Another sound would be excessive clicking. Clicking once to ignite the gas is normal, but continuous clicking is a sign that the igniter isn’t lighting the gas.

With an electric oven it could be one of the heating elements or temperature sensor is malfunctioning:

This could be spotted when turning the oven on, either the top or bottom may not heat up. The oven temperature may shoot up way too high, or not reach the desired temperature, which can be an indicator that the temperature sensor is not working. If you notice uneven baking and cooking it could mean the sensor is wearing down.

If these troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue or if error messages appear, service is necessary to expertly diagnose and repair the product.

General Tips for Cleaning Oven/Stove After Burning Food:

Your specific model of oven may have specific instructions on how to properly clean it. Make sure you consult the manufacturer manual first. Here is a simple chemical-free way to easily clean burnt food from your oven/stove.

  1. Your oven/stove can be cleaned up with a bit of time, better yet it can be done with homemade remedies.
  2. Make sure you remove your racks and any other items you may have stored in there.
  3. Wipe up the larger chunks of food if you can after the oven has cooled.
  4. For that homemade remedy combine about 1/2 cup of baking soda and 2 to 3 tablespoons of water in a bowl. Spread the paste over the burned areas. You should let it sit overnight.
  5. You can add vinegar to the paste to make it more effective. In the morning scrub it off.

For more advice on how to clean your stove top or oven please consult your manual for your specific model. Depending on the material of your oven, it will be recommended to use specific products. This prevents scratching and unnecessary wear and tear.

If the above tips, troubleshooting, or advice does not solve the problem with regards to oven temperatures, you will need to call for professional services. Having a well working oven can bring peace of mind in the regular bustle of household living.

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