Oven racks and heating element
I read that we should place the cake pan on the middle rack when baking a cake. Since my oven has only 4 racks, I am not sure if I should put my cake pan on the second lowest rack or the second upper rack? The cake I want to bake is Betty Crocker Super Moist white cake.
Also - My oven has no fan inside. I have the option to have a bottom or top heating element. I can even use both the top and bottom heating element at once. So I was wondering which heating element should I use to bake a cake? Top / bottom / top and bottom?
Best Answer
Heat transfer is via
- conduction
- convection
- radiation
You don't have any conduction as you are not touching the heating element
The top element has direct radiant exposure to the cake so it will crust the top surface. Can use the top element (broil) to brown meat.
From the bottom there is radiant energy to the bottom so that will crust the bottom but to a lower extent as it is shielded by the cake pan.
Convection will provide the most even heat.
On the third rack use a smaller empty pan or baking stone to shield the second from most of radiant heat from the bottom but not block circulation. Preheat, cook on second shelf, and only use the bottom element.
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Can you replace your oven racks?
If your old oven rack is damaged, you should consider replacing it. Many of our customers have determined this repair to be very easy. You will not require any tools to complete it. To replace the oven rack, simply pull the old rack out, and replace it with the new one.Which rack gets more heat in the oven?
Most (if not all) ovens are hotter at the top than at the bottom. Thus, if you have two baking sheets in your oven, one on a higher rack and one on a lower rack, the one on the higher rack will cook faster. Therefore, it is important not only to rotate your pans from front to back, but also from top to bottom.Can you use oven without racks?
Rather than using the middle racks, place your baking sheet directly on the floor of the oven. This will "provide the hottest, most even and direct heat possible."Heating Chamber ss Element Design
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Answer 2
I finally baked the cake! I used both top and bottom heating element for preheating and only the bottom heating element when baking. I placed the cake pan on the second lower shelf position. It worked well! Thank you for helping :)
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