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A Good Housekeeping report, citing AO.com appliance expert Jade Golding-Gault, says pans and trays left in an oven during use can interfere with heat circulation and may contribute to longer cooking times and appliance wear. The clearest immediate risk is forgetting stored items, especially anything with plastic parts or packaging, before turning the oven on. The report recommends keeping the oven empty and checking that any oven liner is compatible with the appliance.
Golding-Gault said baking trays and pans inside an operating oven can restrict airflow and make heat circulate less efficiently. The effect depends on the item’s size and position and the oven setting. A large pan on the floor may obstruct air movement in a fan oven; in a conventional oven, a low tray can absorb heat from below.
The report says uneven cooking and longer operation are possible consequences. It cites Go Compare figures estimating that a 2,000-watt electric oven costs 53 pence per hour to run, or £192.36 a year, and estimates that an extra 10 minutes of operation per hour could add about £30 to an annual bill. Those are source-provided estimates; the report does not specify the assumptions behind the extra-time calculation or establish that stored pans cause that increase in every household.
Golding-Gault also warned that repeated or prolonged heating can put additional demand on heating elements and fan systems. Stored cookware may discolor or degrade if it is not designed for prolonged high temperatures. The report identifies forgetting what is inside before switching the oven on as a particular concern: plastic or rubber handles, food packaging and other household items can melt or be damaged, and may create a fire risk in some cases.
How Stored Pans Can Affect Cooking
The practical concern is a combination of cooking performance and avoidable exposure to heat. An obstruction can change how heat moves through the oven, while an item forgotten at startup may be unsuitable for the temperature. The report does not quantify how often these problems occur, so its advice is precautionary rather than a measure of typical household risk.
Golding-Gault’s comments also connect oven use with energy costs and appliance wear. If an oven takes longer to cook food, it may use more energy during that period; additional demand on components could contribute to wear. The source gives no test results showing the size of either effect, and the cited cost example should not be treated as a guaranteed saving from removing a pan.
The Oven as Kitchen Storage
The report describes oven storage as a response to limited kitchen space: trays fit inside a large cavity and can be moved there while the appliance is not in use. It distinguishes that habit from leaving an item in place once cooking begins. Golding-Gault’s warning focuses on what happens during use, including the possibility that someone may forget to check the oven.
Some people put a spare tray on the oven floor to catch drips and simplify cleaning. The report says Golding-Gault advises against leaving a tray there. It suggests a reusable oven liner as an alternative, provided the manufacturer confirms it is compatible with the specific oven. The report says liners often last around six months, but directs readers to check the brand’s guidance and replace a liner if it warps or becomes damaged.
“Items, such as baking trays or pans, are left inside the oven when it’s in use, they can restrict airflow and prevent heat from circulating as efficiently around the space.”
— Jade Golding-Gault, AO.com appliance expert, as quoted by Good Housekeeping
What the Advice Does Not Quantify
The supplied report does not include controlled tests measuring how much a stored tray changes cooking time, energy use or the likelihood of an appliance breakdown. The cited £30 annual cost estimate is an example based on an additional 10 minutes of oven use per hour; the report does not establish that storing pans produces that pattern.
It also gives no universal compatibility list for oven liners. Suitability, placement and replacement timing depend on the product and appliance, so readers are directed to the liner manufacturer’s instructions. The report does not identify a particular oven model or set of conditions under which a tray would have no effect.
Check the Oven Before Heating
The report’s practical advice is to remove stored cookware before switching on the oven and find a permanent storage place for trays and pans if possible. If using a liner to catch drips, check the oven and liner manufacturers’ instructions for compatibility, inspect it for warping or damage, and replace it as directed.
No follow-up testing or official guidance is cited in the supplied material. For now, the recommendation rests on the appliance expert’s explanation of airflow, component demand and the risk of forgetting items in a heated oven.
Key Questions
Can I keep sheet pans in the oven when it is off?
The report’s concern is chiefly about items left inside when the oven is in use and the chance they will be forgotten before heating. It recommends keeping the oven clear before use.
How can a tray affect cooking?
According to AO.com appliance expert Jade Golding-Gault, a tray can restrict airflow or absorb heat, depending on its position and the oven setting. That may affect heat circulation and cooking results.
Does storing pans in the oven definitely raise my energy bill?
The report says an oven that runs longer uses more energy, but it does not provide test data showing that a stored pan will always extend cooking time. Its cost figure is an estimate tied to an example of 10 extra minutes of oven use per hour.
What can I use to catch oven drips?
The report suggests a reusable oven liner, but says to confirm it is compatible with your oven, follow the brand’s care and replacement guidance, and replace it if it warps or becomes damaged.
Source: rss
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