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.

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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

Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (11) Difference Between Bake vs. Broil vs. Roast in the Oven | Maytag (12)

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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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.

What is the difference between bake and broil and roast? ›

In contrast to baking and roasting, which surrounds food with heated air, broiling places food close to your oven's heating element so that the food's surface can quickly cook, brown, char or caramelize.

Should I set my oven to bake or broil? ›

Baking is best used on liquid and semi-solid foods, such as quiches, casseroles, and cake, muffin, or bread batter. Broiling works best for thin cuts of meat, fish, or seafood, as well as tender fruit and thin vegetable strips.

Do you bake or broil a roast beef in the oven? ›

Broiling a roast -- even at a low temperature -- would cause it to cook very quickly on the top outer surface, while staying nearly raw on the underside and in the center. Roasts require the radiant heat and lower temperatures of baking to slowly and gently break down their connective tissue and make them tender.

Is it better to roast or bake meat? ›

When making foods that have a solid structure (vegetables or meats), you should roast the food. If you're making foods that aren't solid before cooking (cake, bread, etc), you should bake the food.

When to use roast setting on 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 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.

Is it better to cook a roast at 325 or 350? ›

When roasting meat and poultry, set the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) or higher. Explore the charts below to learn how to get great results every time you cook.

Does roast get more tender the longer you cook it in oven? ›

It is only the temperature that counts. This in combination with the fact that the longer it roasts the more tender it will become. So you should roast at as low a temperature as you have the time for, and make sure that the internal temperature of the meat never gets above 60°C (140°F).

Do you put water in the pan when cooking roast beef? ›

To give your meat a flavourful crispy exterior, cook uncovered on a rack set in a shallow roasting pan. Don't add water! Invest in a digital thermometer that lets you monitor the temperature of your roast – or even alert you when it's done – without opening the oven door.

What is the difference between bake and roast on a GE oven? ›

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.

What cooks faster, roast or bake? ›

Roasting involves cooking food at a higher temperature for a shorter amount of time, while baking involves cooking food at a lower temperature for a longer amount of time.

Should I bake or roast 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.

Is it better to roast or bake a 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 is the difference between roasting and baking? ›

On the temperature front, the differences between roasting and baking are fairly cut and dry. Both roasting and baking involve cooking with dry, ambient heat, usually in an oven. Roasting temperatures are typically above 400 degrees Fahrenheit while baking temperatures are about 375 degrees and below.

What is the bake mode on the oven? ›

For baking, the recommended oven functions to use are typically "Conventional" or "Fan Assisted." Here's more detail about each: Conventional: This is the standard function for baking. It activates both the upper and lower heating elements to provide even heat distribution.

What is the roast setting on the oven symbol? ›

Top and bottom heat symbol

With two lines at the top and bottom of the symbol, this setting is ideal for roasting and for baking items like pastries, scones or biscuits on a tray. The fan doesn't get used with this setting.

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