What Temperature Is 170 in a Fan Oven? Accurate Conversion and Cooking Tips
If you’re trying to match 170°C in a fan oven to a regular oven, you’ll need to set it a bit lower. In a fan oven, 170°C on a conventional oven is usually about 150°C.
This little tweak helps you steer clear of burnt or overcooked meals.
Fan ovens work by blowing hot air around, which speeds up and evens out the cooking process. That’s why you should drop the temperature by roughly 20°C when switching from a standard oven recipe to a fan oven.
If you get the hang of this adjustment, you’ll save time and your recipes will come out way more consistent. For more conversions, here’s a pretty thorough oven temperature conversion table.
Understanding 170 Degrees in a Fan Oven
When you set your fan oven to 170°C, it heats food evenly—but not quite the same as other ovens. Knowing the difference helps you bake or roast more confidently.
Fan Oven Temperature Conversion
Fan ovens blow hot air around, so food cooks faster and more evenly than in a conventional oven. Because of that, you’ll want to set your fan oven about 20 degrees Celsius lower than what a regular oven recipe calls for.
Say a recipe wants 190°C in a regular oven. You’d set your fan oven to about 170°C.
| Oven Type | Temperature Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Conventional Oven | 190°C |
| Fan Oven | 170°C |
| Gas Mark | 3-4 |
| Fahrenheit | 340°F |
This chart is handy for adapting recipes to your fan oven.
170 Degrees Celsius in Fahrenheit
To convert 170°C to Fahrenheit, use this formula:
(°C × 9/5) + 32 = °F
So, for 170°C:
(170 × 9/5) + 32 = 338°F (most people just round it up to 340°F).
That’s a moderate oven temperature—not super hot, but not low either. If you’re using an oven with Fahrenheit settings or following recipes from the US, it’s helpful to know.
Common Foods Cooked at 170°C Fan
At 170°C in a fan oven, you get gentle, steady heat. That’s perfect for a lot of baking and roasting.
Some go-to dishes for this temp:
- Cakes (especially sponges)
- Cookies and biscuits
- Roasts (like chicken or veggies) that need to cook through without drying out
- Slow-baked fish or casseroles
This temperature keeps things moist but still browns and cooks everything nicely.
Best Practices for Baking at 170°C Fan
Baking at 170°C in a fan oven isn’t exactly the same as in a regular oven. You might need to tweak recipes, think about where you put your tray, and watch the clock a bit more closely.
Adjusting Recipes for Fan Ovens
Fan ovens cook food faster because of the moving air. If your recipe’s for a conventional oven, drop the temp by about 10-20°C when using a fan oven. For instance, if the recipe says 190°C, set your fan oven to 170°C.
You’ll probably need to shave 10-15% off the cooking time, too. Start checking for doneness earlier than usual—better safe than sorry.
Here’s a quick guide:
| Conventional Oven Temp | Fan Oven Temp | Time Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| 180°C | 160-170°C | 10-15% less time |
| 200°C | 180°C | 10-15% less time |
Oven Placement and Even Cooking
Where you put your tray in the oven actually matters. The fan helps, but you can still get hot or cool spots.
Try to use the middle rack for even cooking. Don’t cram too much in at once—give your food some space so air can get around.
If you’re baking more than one tray, swap them halfway through. And if your oven has a bunch of shelves, keep in mind the times might vary a little. Rotate pans if you notice uneven browning.
Typical Cooking Times at 170°C Fan
Cooking time really depends on what you’re making. For cakes or cookies, baking at 170°C fan usually shaves about 5-10 minutes off the conventional time for recipes that run 30-40 minutes.
If you’re roasting meats or vegetables, you’ll probably want to cut the cooking time by 10-15%. I’d recommend using a thermometer for meats—don’t just trust the clock.
Here’s a rough idea for common foods at 170°C fan:
- Cakes: 25-35 minutes
- Cookies: 10-15 minutes
- Roasted vegetables: 25-30 minutes
- Chicken breasts: 20-25 minutes
Keep an eye on things, though—ovens can be a bit unpredictable.
