Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (2024)

Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (1)

Baking, roasting and broiling are valuable cooking techniques for any cook. Whether you’re experienced or just learning, fully understanding the differences between a bake, roast and broil will help you build your skills. These essential cook settings are available on most ovens no matter the fuel types or features, so use this guide to get started and cook up beautifully baked, roasted and broiled dishes.

What is the difference between baking, roasting and broiling?

Baking and roasting are similar techniques that use all-around oven heat to cook food completely. However, roasting uses higher temperatures for thicker, tougher foods. Broiling uses only top-down heat to completely cook delicate food or just crisp and brown the top of already-cooked dishes.

Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (2)

Baking uses moderate temperatures to cook food. Heating elements on the top, bottom and sometimes the back of the oven are used for an all-over cooking method.

Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (3)

Roasting uses the same all-over heat as baking but at higher temperatures.

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Broiling uses top-down heat at high and extra-high temperatures to brown or crisp the top of food.

What is baking and when should I use it?

The bake setting cooks food by heating the air inside your oven, usually with heating elements on the top and bottom. A typical bake temperature is around 350° F, but can be anywhere from around 200 to 375° F. This slower cooking method is appropriate for getting flavor out of a wide range of foods.Learn more about what people mean when they say “baking” vs. “cooking”.

Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (5) Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (6)

Which foods should I bake?

Baking is ideal for food without a solid structure like doughs and batters. The lower temperatures help slowly build structure while retaining moisture. It’s also great for thicker cuts of meat or casseroles that need to be cooked all the way through, but might be prone to drying out or burning at higher temps. Feel free to keep food covered or uncovered, depending on how much moisture you want surrounding the dish or how much crisping and browning you’re looking for.

  • Baked goods: cookies, pies, cake, bread, etc.

  • Pasta dishes: lasagna, ziti, macaroni and cheese

  • Thicker-cut pieces of poultry or pork

  • Casseroles

What’s the Difference Between Baking and Roasting?

Roasting uses the same type of all-over, dry heat as baking, but at higher temperatures between 400 and 450° F. Choose the roasting method to get thicker, tougher foods brown and crisp, and the baking method to retain moisture in thinner, more delicate foods. You may only see a “bake” setting on your oven, which can be used to roast after you’ve turned up the temperature.

Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (7) Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (8)

Which foods should I roast?

Tougher, thicker foods are best for roasting because they can handle higher heats better.High heat also means you can easily get a flavorful brown, crispy exterior on food like fatty meats and potatoes. Roasted foods should usually be uncovered to achieve browning.

  • Whole cuts of meat on the bone: entire chickens and turkeys, pork or beef roasts, etc.

  • Thicker vegetables: brussel sprouts, carrots, cauliflower or any root vegetable

  • Cut-up potatoes, including sweet potatoes

  • Sheet pan dinners with meat and vegetables

What is broiling and when should I use it?

Broiling uses only the upper heating element in your oven, applying high temps to the top of dishes for fast flavor. Use this method to cook and crisp delicate foods or brown the top of already-cooked dishes. Most broil settings use temps between 500 and 550° F, so keep a close eye on cooking progress.

Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (9) Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (10)

Best Foods to Broil

Broiling is ideal for achieving a sear on thinner fish and meats that don’t require a high internal temperature. Vegetables broil nicely as well since they can cook and crisp without getting soggy during a longer cook time. Many people use their broiler to get a crunchy layer on the top of already cooked, often cheesy, dishes. Learn more in the Maytagguide to broiling.

  • Thin-cut meats: salmon, steak, chicken

  • Quick-cooking vegetables: asparagus, zucchini, peppers

  • Breads that need a quick toast

  • Cheesy dishes that could benefit from a brown, crunchy layer on top like pizza or macaroni and cheese

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Are Convection Bake and Convection Roast Different?

You may see a convect bake or convect roast setting on your oven. The same rules of baking and roasting apply if you use these settings.The only difference is that a convect setting uses a fan inside the oven to circulate air around dishes for multi-rack cooking and sometimes quicker cook times. Learn more aboutconvection vs. conventional cooking.

Beyond Bake vs. Roast vs. Broil Oven Settings

Now that you know the difference between baking, roasting and broiling, you can tackle a wide variety of recipes. Be sure to use the proper oven rack placement and maximize your oven space to help you get great results. Learn more about powerful oven settings and options by exploring Maytag® ranges and wall ovens. Or, if you’re looking for a new cooking appliance to expand your skills, zero in on the right one with our article that helps you find the best Maytag® range for you.

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Explore Maytag® ranges and wall ovens

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Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (2024)

FAQs

Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag? ›

However, roasting uses higher temperatures for thicker, tougher foods. Broiling uses only top-down heat to completely cook delicate food or just crisp and brown the top of already-cooked dishes. Baking uses moderate temperatures to cook food.

When to use roast setting on oven? ›

With Roast, the oven heats to a higher temperature than baking that helps achieve a crispy browned exterior for recipes like whole chicken, pork shoulder or other dense cuts of meat. You can also use this setting to char sturdy roasted veggies like carrots.

What is the main difference between baking and oven roasting? ›

The main differences between roasting and baking are the types of foods you roast vs bake and the temperature of the oven. When it comes to temperature, roasting requires a higher oven temperature of above 400°F for the cooking process, while baking takes place at lower oven temperatures around 375°F and below.

How do you know when to bake or broil? ›

Baking and broiling are cooking techniques that use the dry heat of an oven. Baking is best used for foods with a liquid or semi-solid structure that needs to solidify during the cooking process, while broiling is best used to quickly cook thin pieces of food.

What if your oven doesn't have a roast setting? ›

Some ovens have no explicit roast option at all; you're always on bake, so if you want to roast you'll use a higher temperature.

Do I cook a roast on bake or roast? ›

That's right, roasting and baking are interchangeable. They both use heat from both the bottom and the top of the oven to cook your food. The term roasting is often used to describe the cooking process of large cuts of meat or vegetable side dishes, while baking is usually reserved for bread, pastries and casseroles.

What is the function of roast in the oven? ›

Roasting, like baking, is a method of cooking that uses hot, dry air to cook food in the oven, but at higher temperatures. Roasting is typically used for foods with a solid structure such as vegetables and meats. Roasting uses the bake setting at 400ºF (204ºC) or higher to brown the surface and develop flavor.

Should I bake or fan bake roast? ›

The fast-moving air substantially enhances the rate at which heat is transferred to the food. It is particularly good where you want the surface to brown, such as roasts and breads; it is not as good for more delicate items, such as custards and cakes, which can set too quickly or get dried out.

Is roast or bake hotter? ›

Roasting temperatures are typically above 400 degrees Fahrenheit while baking temperatures are about 375 degrees and below.

Should you roast or bake chicken? ›

If you're cooking food that has a solid structure — like any type of meat or vegetables — no matter the temperature of the oven, you'll roast it. If you're cooking food that doesn't already have a solid structure, but will after it's cooked — like muffins, cake, bread, and casseroles — the proper method is baking.

What are the disadvantages of broiling? ›

Disadvantages. The high heat also means that some foods may not be right for broiling, or can only be broiled for a brief time, like bread. A few other cons may hinge on your oven model and cooking style.

What is the difference between bake broil and roast? ›

Baking and roasting are similar techniques that use all-around oven heat to cook food completely. However, roasting uses higher temperatures for thicker, tougher foods. Broiling uses only top-down heat to completely cook delicate food or just crisp and brown the top of already-cooked dishes.

Should meat be baked or broiled? ›

Broiling focuses all of the heat on the surface of the food—if you're cooking a thicker cut of meat like a chicken breast, you run the risk of browning the outside without cooking the inside through. When cooking thicker cuts of meat or a dense casserole like lasagna, we will first opt for baking.

Why is my roast in the oven still tough? ›

There are a few reasons why your pot roast might turn out tough when cooked in the oven: Insufficient cooking time: If your pot roast is tough, it likely needs to be cooked longer in order to bread down the connective tissues and tenderize the meat. Even 30-60 minutes can make a world of difference!

Do I cover a roast when cooking in the oven? ›

When cooking a roast in the oven, keep it uncovered until roasted to the desired doneness. After removing from the oven, tent with foil and let stand 15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, preventing them from draining out during carving—and preventing dry, disappointing meat.

When should I set my oven to roast? ›

Large cuts of meat and firm vegetables have a roasting temperature of around 400°F and up, while the baking temperature for recipes like breads, pies and casseroles is around 350°F and lower.

Is it better to roast or bake chicken? ›

If you're cooking food that has a solid structure — like any type of meat or vegetables — no matter the temperature of the oven, you'll roast it. If you're cooking food that doesn't already have a solid structure, but will after it's cooked — like muffins, cake, bread, and casseroles — the proper method is baking.

Should I use bake or roast setting for turkey? ›

All three types of ovens can be used to roast a delicious, moist turkey as long as the temperature of the turkey is carefully monitored. So, although a convection oven will cook faster, even a bake oven will work if the turkey is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees.

What is the difference between conventional bake and roast? ›

Both convection bake and roast use different temperature levels. When roasting, the oven is kept at a higher temperature, around 400 degrees Fahrenheit to achieve the perfect browning. On the other hand, convection baking is done at a somewhat lower temperature, around 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

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