171 C in a fan oven is equivalent to approximately 150 C in a conventional oven without the fan. This conversion is crucial for baking and roasting, especially when using recipes designed for traditional ovens. At airfryerrecipe.co.uk, we often get asked about these conversions as more home cooks switch to fan-assisted cooking.
Fan ovens circulate hot air around the food, cooking it more evenly and quickly than conventional ovens. When a recipe states 171 C, you’ll typically need to reduce this by 20°C for fan ovens. This means setting your fan oven to 150 C achieves similar results to 171 C in a traditional oven. Many modern recipes now specify both temperatures, but older cookbooks might require this conversion.
The same principle applies when using an air fryer, which essentially works like a compact fan oven. At airfryerrecipe.co.uk/air-fryer-conversion-chart, you’ll find detailed guides for converting various temperatures. For 171 C, most air fryers would use the same 150 C setting as a fan oven, though cooking times may vary slightly due to the air fryer’s smaller capacity and more intense air circulation.
171 C (or 150 C fan) is a particularly useful temperature for delicate bakes. It’s ideal for sponge cakes, cookies that need even browning, and some roasted vegetables. This temperature allows gentle cooking without burning the exterior before the interior is done. Many professional bakers consider this range perfect for achieving golden results without dryness.
While we’ve covered fan ovens and air fryers, it’s worth noting how 171 C converts for other cooking methods. In a convection oven (common in the US), you’d use the same 150 C setting as with a UK fan oven. For gas mark settings, 171 C equates to Gas Mark 3, though gas ovens often have less precise temperature control than electric models.
When using this temperature in an air fryer, you might need to reduce cooking times by 10-20% compared to fan oven recipes. The concentrated heat and rapid air circulation cook food faster. Our airfryerrecipe.co.uk/recipes section includes adjusted timings for popular dishes cooked at 171 C equivalent temperatures.
Always preheat your fan oven or air fryer when cooking at 171 C (150 C fan). This ensures even cooking from the start. Use an oven thermometer to verify your appliance’s accuracy, as some models run hotter or cooler than their displays indicate. For baking, position items in the centre of the oven for best results, and consider rotating trays halfway through cooking if your oven has hot spots.
This temperature works beautifully for Victoria sponge cakes, allowing them to rise evenly without doming or cracking. It’s also excellent for slow-roasting tomatoes or cooking delicate fish fillets. When converted to 150 C fan, 171 C produces perfectly crisp roast potatoes without burning the outside before the inside becomes tender.
In air fryers, the 171 C equivalent (150 C) is ideal for reheating pastries or cooking frozen foods like spring rolls. The lower temperature prevents the outside from becoming too dark before the filling heats through. Check out our frozen foods section for specific timing recommendations at this temperature.
If food cooks too quickly at 171 C (150 C fan), your oven might be running hot. Try reducing the temperature by another 10 C and extending the cooking time slightly. Conversely, if food isn’t browning properly, verify your oven’s calibration. For air fryers, shaking or turning food halfway through cooking helps achieve even results at this temperature.
