March 27, 2024, 4:43 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Whether it’s frozen pizza, fries, or rolls: Just put everything on the baking sheet, pop it in the oven, and you’re done. But which way should the baking sheet actually go in the oven? And what’s the deal with the slanted side of the sheet?
Have you ever taken a closer look at the baking sheet in your oven? You might have noticed that not all sides are the same. Many baking sheets have one side that is slanted–it essentially has a slanted edge. myHOMEBOOK reveals what this is for and how the baking sheet should be correctly placed in the oven.
Is there a right or wrong side for the baking sheet?
Unlike the debate over the correct way to hang toilet paper, the baking sheet topic probably doesn’t spark heated discussions. However, the sight of the baking sheet does raise the question of how it should be correctly placed in the oven. After all, not all sides are the same. There must be a reason for this, some might wonder. And yes, there is.
How the baking sheet should be placed in the oven
Many people place the baking sheet with the slanted edge facing forward in the oven. This makes it easier to slide fries over the edge onto a plate. Pretty practical, right? However, that’s not correct–the slanted side is not meant for easy handling when removing hot food. It serves a different purpose. For this reason, the sheet must be inserted the other way around in the oven.
Professional and TV chef Mirko Reeh explained this in more detail in a YouTube video. The baking sheet is correctly positioned in the oven when the slanted side faces the back, against the oven’s rear wall. The slant on the baking sheet allows air to circulate better. This means the heat is distributed more evenly, and the cake, roast, or whatever is in the oven bakes evenly. This is especially useful when baking with convection.