Oven Symbols & Functions Guide

Modern ovens come equipped with a variety of settings and features that make cooking more versatile and precise than ever before. Using the right oven setting for each dish not only helps you achieve the best results but also improves energy efficiency. It’s time to resist the temptation to throw everything in at 200°C and really explore what your oven can do.

In this guide, we’ll break down the most common oven symbols, explain how to use them, and highlight additional features that could transform the way you cook. While some models might feature slight variations, the symbols we discuss are used universally across many brands, helping you get the most out of your appliance.

What Do Oven Symbols Mean?

Oven symbols are visual representations of the different cooking functions and features that your appliance offers. They indicate settings for everything from basic fan-assisted cooking to more specialized modes like grilling or steam cooking. By understanding these symbols, you can ensure you're using the right function to achieve perfectly cooked food every time.

Many ovens use universal symbols for core functions like fan heating or grilling, making it easier to navigate across different models. Below, we’ll guide you through the most important cooking and non-cooking functions so you can make the most of your oven.

What Are the Symbols for Cooking?

Fan Oven

The fan oven symbol is typically represented by three blades inside a square, showing the presence of a fan within the cavity. The fan circulates hot air evenly around the oven, ensuring that food cooks consistently on all shelves. This setting is particularly useful for roasting or baking as it speeds up cooking times and uses less energy compared to conventional ovens.

Best for: Roasts, cakes, multiple tray bakes.

Conventional Heating

This symbol features two horizontal lines, one at the top and one at the bottom of a square, representing the upper and lower heating elements. Heat rises from the bottom, making this setting ideal for even cooking. It’s the go-to option for most traditional recipes, but keep in mind that it may cook faster at the top of the oven.

Best for: Casseroles, pies, and baking bread.

Bottom Heating/Base Heating

Base heating is indicated by a single line at the bottom of a square, activating only the lower heating element. This setting is perfect for dishes that need concentrated heat from below, such as pizzas or pastries where a crispy base is essential.

Best for: Pizzas, quiches, and pies.

Steam Oven

This setting is represented by a cloud-like symbol with vertical lines to show steam rising in the oven. Steam ovens inject moisture into the cooking process, helping food retain its nutrients and natural flavors. Steaming is especially useful for delicate items like fish or vegetables, and some models allow you to combine steam with other cooking modes.

Best for: Fish, bread, and vegetables.

Microwave Function

Often displayed with multiple wavy lines, this symbol indicates the microwave function, typically found in combi ovens. It’s perfect for quickly heating food or defrosting items straight from the freezer. Combination microwave settings allow you to cook food quickly while achieving the crispy results you'd expect from an oven.

Best for: Quick reheating, ready meals, and steaming vegetables.

What Are the Symbols for Grilling?

Grill

The classic grill symbol features a jagged line at the top of a square to represent the upper heating element. The grill function applies direct, intense heat from above, making it ideal for browning and crisping foods like cheese-topped dishes or grilled meats.

Best for: Grilling vegetables, making toast, or browning gratins.

Bottom Element with Grill

This symbol combines the jagged line for the grill with a horizontal line at the bottom, indicating both the grill and lower heating element are active. This combination is great for dishes that need strong heat from above while getting even cooking underneath, such as crispy-based pizzas.

Best for: Crispy pizzas, open sandwiches, or roasting meat.

Grill and Fan

A fan symbol paired with the jagged grill icon represents a mode where the fan circulates heat from the grill. This function softens the harshness of the grill, ensuring even browning without burning the top of your food. It’s perfect for cooking large pieces of meat that need thorough cooking without drying out the surface.

Best for: Roasting chicken, larger cuts of meat, and finishing off baked dishes.

Non-Cooking Features

Defrosting

The defrosting symbol looks like a snowflake above a water droplet and is used to safely thaw frozen food. Instead of leaving your food out at room temperature, this function circulates cool air around the oven to gently defrost your items, preserving the texture and preventing the risk of bacteria growth.

Best for: Defrosting meat, bread, or pre-cooked meals.

Plate Warming

This symbol features three curved lines, indicating the gentle heat used to warm plates without overheating or cracking them. Warm plates keep your food hotter for longer, ensuring you can serve at the perfect temperature without the food cooling too quickly.

Best for: Preheating plates before serving meals.

Food Warming/Oven Warming

The plate icon with steam lines rising above it represents the food-warming function. This setting keeps cooked food warm without overcooking it, so it stays at the perfect serving temperature while waiting to be plated.

Best for: Keeping cooked meals warm for family gatherings or dinner parties.

Oven Light

This simple lightbulb symbol allows you to operate the oven’s interior light independently of any other cooking function. It’s handy when you need to check on your food without opening the oven door and losing heat.

Safety Functions

Child Lock

A key or padlock icon represents the child lock function. This prevents young children from tampering with the oven settings or opening the door during operation, providing peace of mind if you have little ones at home.

Minute Minder

A clock icon is used to show the minute minder feature. It’s a timer that alerts you when your cooking time is up, ensuring your dishes are perfectly timed without overcooking.

Self-Cleaning

Self-cleaning ovens use a special pyrolytic cleaning function, symbolized by small squares or circles that decrease in size. When activated, the oven heats to extreme temperatures, reducing food residue and grease to ash, which can easily be wiped away afterwards.

Best for: Deep-cleaning your oven with minimal effort.

Additional Oven Symbols and Features to Know

Eco-Mode

Eco-mode, often symbolized by a leaf icon, helps reduce energy consumption during cooking by optimizing heat levels. This feature is ideal if you're looking to reduce your household's energy use while still getting good cooking results.

Rapid Preheat

This symbol looks like a temperature gauge or multiple arrows pointing upward, indicating a rapid preheat function. It’s perfect when you need to bring the oven to the desired temperature quickly, saving you time when cooking multiple dishes or hosting.

Conclusion

Understanding the various oven symbols and functions can take your cooking to the next level, ensuring you use the best settings for each dish. Whether you’re grilling, baking, or simply reheating, knowing how your oven works allows you to get the most out of it—saving time, energy, and improving your culinary results.