203°C in a conventional oven converts to approximately 180°C in a fan oven. This 20-25°C reduction is standard for fan-assisted cooking, ensuring even heat distribution without overcooking. Whether you're baking, roasting, or using an air fryer, this conversion keeps your dishes perfectly cooked.
Fan ovens circulate hot air, cooking food faster and more evenly than conventional ovens. Reducing the temperature by 20-25°C prevents burning or drying out your meals. This rule applies whether you're using a built-in fan oven or an air fryer, which works similarly to a mini convection oven. Many recipes at airfryerrecipe.co.uk/recipes specify fan oven temperatures for consistent results.
For example, baking cookies at 203°C in a conventional oven would require lowering to 180°C in a fan setting. This adjustment ensures golden edges without over-browning. The same principle applies when converting for air fryers, as they use rapid air technology akin to fan ovens.
When using a fan oven, simply set it to 180°C for recipes calling for 203°C. For air fryers, you might need to reduce cooking time by 10-20% instead of adjusting temperature, as their compact size accelerates cooking. Check our air fryer conversion chart for precise adjustments.
For cakes and pastries, 180°C (fan) provides gentle, even heat. This prevents domed tops or uneven browning common at higher temperatures. Try this with our cake recipes for professional-quality results at home.
180°C fan setting perfectly roasts chicken or vegetables that recipes suggest at 203°C conventional. The lower temperature with circulating air yields crisp skin and tender interiors without drying out.
Many cooks forget to adjust both temperature and time when switching between oven types. While 203°C becomes 180°C in a fan oven, cooking time may decrease by 5-10 minutes. Always check food 5-10 minutes early when using converted temperatures.
Another pitfall is assuming all appliances behave identically. Your oven's calibration and the air fryer's wattage affect actual cooking temperatures. Use an oven thermometer to verify your 203°C to fan oven conversion is accurate.
Since air fryers are essentially powerful mini fan ovens, they often don't require temperature conversion from conventional oven recipes. However, their efficiency means you should reduce cooking time by 20-30% when using 203°C equivalents. For cleaning tips after high-temperature cooking, visit our cleaner guide.
