Fan verses conventional heat!

Asked on 9 Aug 2018 by Deirdremcfadden

Dear Lindsey
I made the Banana and Walnut loaf some time ago and it came out perfect. I made it again recently and it was a flop. It rose beautifully but when I took it out , it sank completely and was undercooked inside.
I have a fan oven and usually reduce the temperature by 15 or 20 degrees. I may have cooked the first one at 165 but did the second one at 160. Could this have made the difference?
I do have the option to use a top bottom heat which I have never tried. What is your opinion on fan versus conventional oven ?
Thanks
Deirdrelee

Lindsey, Food Editor replied

Hello Deidrelee,

I agree with you. I would reduce the temperature by 20 degrees when using a fan oven (although if the instruction is to use the top or bottom shelf I do 15 and 25 respectively).

I nearly always bake using conventional heat because that’s how the recipes are tested.

Could it be that your bananas were larger and the loaf just needed longer?

Kind regards

Lindsey