178 C in a fan oven is equivalent to 160 C in a conventional oven with the fan setting turned on. This 20-degree reduction is standard for fan-assisted cooking, whether you're using an air fryer or traditional oven. The circulating hot air in fan ovens cooks food more efficiently, allowing for lower temperature settings.
When converting 178 C to fan oven settings, remember that fan-assisted cooking typically requires temperatures 20 degrees lower than conventional recipes suggest. This means if a recipe calls for 178 C in a regular oven, you'd set your fan oven to 158 C. The same principle applies when using an air fryer, which operates similarly to a fan oven.
Many modern recipes at airfryerrecipe.co.uk now provide dual temperature settings for both conventional and fan ovens. This takes the guesswork out of conversions and helps ensure perfect results whether you're baking, roasting, or air frying. For classic recipes that only list conventional oven temperatures, our air fryer conversion chart can be a lifesaver.
The 20-degree reduction when converting 178 C to fan oven settings isn't arbitrary. Fan ovens circulate hot air constantly, creating more even heat distribution and faster cooking times. Without this adjustment, food could overcook or dry out. This is particularly important for delicate items like cakes or pastries where precise temperature control is crucial.
Air fryers essentially work like compact fan ovens, making the 178 C to fan oven conversion directly applicable. When preparing recipes from our cake collection, you'll often need to make this adjustment. For example, a Victoria sponge that normally bakes at 178 C would cook perfectly at 160 C in an air fryer.
The smaller cooking chamber of an air fryer means heat transfers even more efficiently than in a full-sized fan oven. This is why monitoring cooking times is equally important as temperature adjustments. Many air fryer users find they need to reduce cooking times by 10-20% compared to conventional oven recipes.
While the 178 C to fan oven conversion works for most dishes, some foods benefit from slight variations. Dense items like roasts or baked potatoes might need the full 178 C even in a fan oven to ensure thorough cooking. Meanwhile, delicate items like meringues or soufflés often need the full 20-degree reduction to prevent over-browning.
Having a reliable conversion chart can take the stress out of adjusting recipes. Alongside our 178 C to fan oven conversion, here are some other common equivalents: 200 C conventional becomes 180 C fan, 190 C conventional becomes 170 C fan, and 170 C conventional becomes 150 C fan. These conversions work for both air fryers and traditional fan ovens.
For comprehensive guidance, our recipe section includes temperature-adjusted versions of popular dishes. Whether you're making crispy chicken wings from our chicken recipes or perfect roast vegetables, these conversions ensure consistent results every time.
Even with perfect 178 C to fan oven conversions, actual oven temperatures can vary. An inexpensive oven thermometer can help verify your appliance's accuracy. If you notice consistent discrepancies, you may need to adjust your temperature settings accordingly or consider professional calibration for optimal cooking results.
