Zanussi Oven and Cooker Functions/Symbols

Last updated 03/01/2024 09:34

We have a wide range of ovens and cookers; each model will have its range of cooking functions to choose from.  

Using the correct function for the food type you want to cook can make a big difference in taste, texture, and overall finish to your result. 

Understanding the functions will allow you to get the best results from your appliance.  

Below are some of the Cooking Functions on Zanussi ovens and cookers, the number of Cooking Functions on each model can vary,

More Cooking functions can be found on the links below which take you to the appropriate appliance type and show functions and some tips to help get the best from your appliance.

For detailed information about your specific oven or cooker model functions and recommendations, check the user manual supplied with your appliance

You can find your user manual here.

Zanussi Single and Compact Oven Functions

The most commonly used cooking functions and a description of each one are listed below. Useful recommendations regarding why and how to best use each cooking function have been provided to ensure optimal results.

Conventional cooking (Top & Bottom heat) 

Using top and bottom heating elements only, this Conventional cooking function is ideal for traditional recipes or for baking breads and fruitcakes.

Recommended use:

  • For best results, the best shelf position to use on this function is shelf position 3 (this is the middle shelf in the cavity). This will give you an even heat from both the top and bottom elements
True Fan Cooking / FanCook
This function is used for cooking everyday meals. With FanCook, you can reduce the cooking time by 10 minutes for each hour that you’re cooking, reduce the temperature by 20°C and cook on multiple shelf positions whilst still achieving even cooking/baking results

Recommended use:
  • With True FanCook, you can cook a variety of foods at the same time without having to worry about flavours transferring from one food to another. For example, a roast dinner and an apple pie, this gives great results and cooking flexibility.
Moist Fan Baking 
This is an energy-efficient cooking function which retains moisture in the oven, so is particularly great for achieving light and fluffy results when baking. Ideal for baked soufflés

Recommended use:
  • Please keep the oven door closed when using this function. The temperature shown on the display may differ slightly from the temperature in the oven cavity. This function is great for one shelf cooking and for dishes such as lasagne and potato & pasta bakes. The oven light will turn off to save energy when this function is in use
Bottom heat only
Bottom Heat Only is ideal for finishing the base of pizzas, flans and quiches. Only the element in the bottom of the oven comes on when using this oven function

Recommended use: 
  • Using shelf position 1 (the very bottom shelf position in the oven) with a moderate temperature setting, Bottom Heat can provide a gentle reheat and is great for pies and pastries. This function can also be used for plate warming, however you must not rest plates/food items directly on the oven base when using this function
Top Heat Only
Using the top oven element only, this is a great function for browning or finishing dishes such as giving a lasagne or a flan a little more browning without cooking the whole dish further.

Recommended use:
  • Be aware of the shelf position and oven temperature when using this function. For adding a little extra browning, try shelf position 4 (second shelf position from the top) with moderate heat and adjust where appropriate.
Grill (Full Grill) 
Using the Grill function and cooking on the middle or top shelf positions with the oven door closed will be perfect for making small quantities of toast or grilling delicious cheese on toast. It can be used for browning too.

Recommended use:
  • Ideal for smaller quantities of food. Place your food to be grilled in the centre of the grill pan/wire shelf towards the top of the cavity (shelf position 4 or 5) for best results. Always keep the oven door closed when cooking/grilling.
Turbo Grilling / Fan Grilling
This function uses both fan and grill and is a great function, particularly for cooking meats. The oven will distribute heat alternately between the fan and grill to give you juicy meats with crispy skin..

Recommended use:
  • Cook on the middle shelf when trying to achieve the rotisserie effect for chicken. The heat will circulate around the chicken to give it a golden and crispy finish while being juicy on the inside. To avoid overcooking roast meats such as chicken or pork, cook at 180°C and reduce cooking time by 15%.
AirFry 
AirFry is a great way to crisp up your favourite meals. With the specially designed Zanussi AirFry tray, the hot air cooks the top and bottom of your food at the same time. For crispy fish fingers and golden chips, AirFry is a great way to cook your favourite crispy meals without the need for turning.

Recommended use:
  • Make sure to use shelf position 1 when making pizza (the lowest shelf position). A good tip is to pre-heat the AirFry tray before starting to give crispy results. When cooking foods such as chips, fish fingers chicken nuggets or anything with a breadcrumb coating, place the AirFry tray on shelf position 3 (middle shelf position) and place a solid tray on shelf position 2 (second from bottom) to catch any food pieces which may drop down during the cooking process
Fast Heat Up
This function provides quick heat up of the oven cavity which reduces pre-heat times by up to 40%.

Recommended use:
  • A fantastic function which makes convenience meals even more convenient. With the oven reaching temperature more quickly, it’s a quick and easy way to pre-heat your oven
PlusSteam (steam ovens only)
PlusSteam is perfect for achieving great bakes, whether you’re baking bread or making Yorkshire Puddings or delicious cakes. Bread will be fluffy on the inside and have a crispy and golden crust on the outside while cakes will be moist and tasty.

Recommended use:
  • Pour up to 250ml of water into the reservoir in the bottom of the oven cavity, turn the control knob to the fan/steam function, set the required temperature and leave for 10 minutes before putting the food in the oven. Wipe away any residual moisture after the oven has cooled. This function is great for baking.

Pizza Setting
Combining the fan and the heating element in the bottom of the oven, this function will give you a perfectly cooked pizza with a crispy base

Recommended use:
  • Put your pizza on an oven tray/wire shelf and place it on shelf position one (this is the lowest shelf position in the oven cavity), this will ensure you achieve a crispy base for your tasty pizza.
Defrost
The Defrost function is a great option when you want to reduce the defrosting time of your food. The time of defrost can be reduced by as much as 50% when compared with food being defrosted on a kitchen worktop. No heat is used in the oven while the fan circulates room-temperature air around the food which gives an even and quicker defrosting result.

Recommended use:
  • Place your food in the middle shelf position (shelf position 3) for best results. Defrosting times may vary depending on food types and please ensure foods are completely defrosted before cooking.
Meat
A great function for producing juicy and tender roasts.

Recommended use:
  • A great way to cook all kinds of delicious meats. Place your meat on a meat pan and position the pan on the lowest shelf position (shelf position 1). The base heat is reduced which prevents larger meats like a turkey from burning on the bottom. Meat function is a great way to maintain the succulent juices in your meat.
Keep Warm
Keeping the oven at 80°C, the Keep Warm function is the perfect setting to hold the food at the ideal eating temperature without further cooking or spoiling your meal.

Recommended use:
  • The Keep Warm function can also be used for plate and cup warming.
Microwave (combination ovens only)
Microwave at low to medium power levels (100w to 600w). Ideal for reheating meals and warming bowls of soup.

Recommended use:
  • It is recommended to cover your food with either a microwave-suitable cover or a kitchen roll. You may experience condensation within the cavity and this can vary depending on the liquid content of the food being heated. It is recommended to wipe down the appliance cavity after use. Chrome shelves and baking trays must be removed when using this function. Side racks can remain in place.

Special Cleaning Functions

Pyrolytic Cleaning
The Pyrolytic Cleaning function heats the oven cavity to 500°C and turns food residue into fine ash. The door will lock at 300°C during this process and unlock when the oven reaches 300°C during cool down. The oven glass will be hot but safe and cooling fans will continue to operate after the cleaning process is complete
Recommended use:
  • All oven furniture must be removed during the cleaning cycle including shelves, trays, any telescopic runners and pop-off side racks. Glass should be wiped down before the cycle is started and any larger pieces of food residue removed from the oven cavity. The cost per cycle is around 50p for an hour-long setting. Oven displays can show ‘PYR’ which is a reminder to run a cleaning cycle, however, it’s completely up to the user how often the function is used. Once per month is recommended.

Important:

  • Do not start the pyrolysis until the door is fully closed.
  • Ensure good ventilation during and after the pyrolysis.
  • Keep children away from the appliance while the Pyrolytic cleaning is in operation. The appliance becomes very hot and hot air is released from the front cooling vents.
  • Remove any pets (especially birds) from the vicinity of the appliance location during and after the Pyrolytic cleaning.
  • Small animals (especially birds) should be in a well-ventilated area during this time. Some birds and reptiles can react very sensitively to fumes. Small animals also react during the pyrolysis to the local temperature fluctuations.
  • In our ovens, the fumes emanating from the pyrolysis are safe for people, including children and people with health problems.
  • You should only begin the Pyroclean process when the oven is cold.




Catalytic Cleaning 
Catalytic Cleaning involves turning the oven to the Conventional function and then turning the cavity to the maximum temperature the oven will allow (around 250°C-275°C). This activates the liners situated on the sides, top and rear of the cavity. This is the rough textured material. The heat-activated liners absorb food residue which is then oxidised.

Recommended use:
  • All oven furniture can remain inside the oven during the Catalytic Cleaning function. It’s important not to clean the rough textured liners with either water or any oven cleaners. It’s also recommended to run a Catalytic Cleaning function once per month to ensure grease doesn’t saturate the liners. The liners may become over-saturated and ineffective. The non-catalytic coated base of the oven and door glass will need to be cleaned separately and we recommend oven cleaner is sprayed on a cloth instead of into the cavity before being used on the oven.


Enamel Liners 
Diamond-glazed enamel liners are strengthened liners and are found across all Zanussi ovens. The tough yet smooth finish to the enamel liners means oven grime can be wiped away easily either with a wet microfibre cloth or using a Zanussi oven cleaner for the more stubborn oven grime.

Recommended use:
  • When cleaning with an oven cleaning solution, it’s advised to spray your cleaning cloth with the cleaning solution first before attempting to clean your oven. Any cleaning sprays applied directly into the oven may impact the components surrounding the fan area of the oven.
Aqua Clean
Using steam and heat to loosen food debris in the oven cavity to make cleaning the oven easier

Recommended use:
  • Pour 200ml of water into the base of the oven, set the temperature to 90°C and leave the oven on for 30 minutes. Leave the oven to cool down before drying. All trays and shelves can be left in during this process

Oven / Cooker Clock Symbols:

Time Of Day

To show or change the time of day. You can change the time of day only when the oven is off.

Duration

To set the length of cooking. Use only when a heating function is set.

End Time

To set the oven turn-off time. Use only when a heating function is set.


The links below will take you to the appropriate appliance type and show functions and some tips to help get the best from your appliance.

If you found the following information helpful, please give us a thumbs up below. If this information does not resolve your question, all constructive feedback is welcome.

Click on each link to download a copy

Zanussi Single Oven & Compact Oven Functions

Zanussi Double Oven Fuctions

Zanussi Combination Oven and Microwave Functions

Zanussi Freestanding Cooker Functions


Energy-saving tips when using your oven and hob

With energy prices soaring, it’s never been a better time to rethink how you use the appliances in your home to save energy and money. Besides helping your household budget, it will also benefit the planet, reducing CO2 emissions. Here are some helpful tips on how to reduce energy when using your oven and hob

  • Don’t open the oven to check the cooking process. You will lose heat and humidity and the food will take longer to cook, consuming more energy
  • Cook at a lower temperature. It might take longer, but reduces energy consumption by 20% and gives you better food taste and quality
  • Take unused accessories out of the oven when cooking – they just consume more energy
  • Put your saucepans in the centre of the cooking zone before turning it on. Put the smallest cookware on the smaller zones
  • When possible, finish cooking on the hob with the residual heat


See other helpful tips to save energy and money

Efficient energy-saving tips for your home to lower your energy costs

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