Oven symbols show which heating elements and fan a setting uses. A line at the top means top heat, a line at the bottom means bottom heat, a zigzag means the grill (broiler), and a fan means convection. Tap any symbol below to jump to what it does and when to use it.
Oven Symbols Cheat Sheet
Here are the 20 most common oven symbols. Tap one to see its full explanation.
Main Cooking Symbols
These are the settings you'll use most. They control whether heat comes from the top, the bottom, a fan element at the back, or a combination.
Conventional (top and bottom heat)
What it does: Top and bottom elements heat the oven with no fan.
Use it for: Cakes, bread, single-rack baking and recipes written for a regular oven.
Fan oven (true convection)
What it does: A circular element around the rear fan heats and circulates the air.
Use it for: Multi-rack baking, cookies and even cooking. Lower the temperature about 25°F (about 20°C).
Fan assisted (convection bake)
What it does: Top and bottom elements plus the fan.
Use it for: Roasts, pies and pastries that need even heat and some browning.
Bottom heat only
What it does: Only the bottom element heats.
Use it for: Crisping pie and quiche bases, fixing a soggy bottom and slow cooking.
Top heat only
What it does: Only the top element heats, more gently than the grill.
Use it for: Browning the top of gratins, casseroles and pies.
Pizza setting (fan + bottom heat)
What it does: Bottom heat plus the fan, sometimes with the rear element.
Use it for: Pizza, quiche, tarts and anything that needs a crisp base.
Grill and Broil Symbols
In the US, "broil" means the same as "grill" in the UK and Europe: intense heat from the top element. Always keep an eye on food under the grill, since it can go from golden to burnt in under a minute.
Full grill / broil
What it does: The whole top grill element runs at high heat.
Use it for: Toasting, browning, melting cheese and searing larger batches.
Half grill / center broil
What it does: Only the center or one half of the grill heats.
Use it for: Small portions, using less energy than the full grill.
Fan grill (convection broil)
What it does: Grill element plus the fan.
Use it for: Thicker meats, chicken pieces and vegetables with crisp tops.
Special Function Symbols
Many newer ovens add extra modes. Not every oven has all of these, and the icons vary more from brand to brand.
Defrost
What it does: Runs the fan with no heat (or very low heat).
Use it for: Thawing frozen food faster than the fridge. Cook meat right after thawing.
Plate warming / keep warm
What it does: Gentle low heat to warm plates or hold food.
Use it for: Keeping finished dishes warm until serving.
Proof / dough proving
What it does: Holds a warm, low temperature, often around 85–100°F.
Use it for: Helping yeast dough rise.
Eco mode
What it does: Uses stored heat and less power, often by cycling the elements.
Use it for: Longer cooks where you want to save energy.
Rotisserie
What it does: Turns a spit while the grill or fan cooks the food.
Use it for: Whole chickens and roasts with even browning. No rotisserie setting? See our best rotisserie ovens.
Air fry
What it does: High top heat with a fast fan.
Use it for: Fries, wings and frozen snacks on a single rack.
Cleaning, Controls and Safety Symbols
Pyrolytic (self-clean)
What it does: Heats the oven to very high temperatures to burn residue to ash.
Use it for: Deep cleaning. The door locks until the oven cools.
Steam clean / hydrolytic
What it does: Uses water and low heat to soften light grime.
Use it for: Quick cleaning between deep cleans.
Oven light
What it does: Turns the interior light on.
Use it for: Checking food without opening the door.
Timer / clock
What it does: Sets the clock, a minute timer, or a delayed start or automatic stop.
Use it for: Timing recipes and turning the oven off automatically.
Child lock / control lock
What it does: Locks the controls and sometimes the door.
Use it for: Preventing accidental use and wiping the control panel.
For more on cleaning cycles, see our guide to using the self-clean cycle. If you prefer to clean by hand, our best oven cleaners guide lists safe products for every oven type.
How to Read Any Oven Symbol
Even if your oven uses an icon not shown here, you can usually work it out from a few building blocks:
- Straight line at the topTop element (gentle top heat).
- Straight line at the bottomBottom element.
- Zigzag line at the topGrill or broil element (intense top heat). A shorter zigzag means half or center grill.
- FanConvection fan is on. A circle around the fan means the rear (third) element heats the air: true convection.
- CombinationsA fan plus lines means the fan moves heat from those elements. A fan plus a zigzag means fan grill.
- Snowflake or dropletDefrost (snowflake) or steam and cleaning functions (water droplets).
When in doubt, check your owner's manual. Most manufacturers post manuals online; search for your model number, usually found on a label inside the door frame or on the side of the oven opening.
Which Symbol to Use for Each Food
| Food | Best setting | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Cakes and sponges | Conventional (top + bottom) | Center rack, one cake at a time |
| Cookies on several trays | Fan oven | Lower temperature about 25°F |
| Bread | Conventional or fan | Fan gives a crisper crust |
| Pizza and quiche | Pizza setting (fan + bottom) | Preheat a stone or steel |
| Roast chicken | Fan assisted or fan grill | Use a rack in a roasting pan |
| Steaks, chops | Full grill | Top rack, turn halfway |
| Toast, cheese on toast | Full or half grill | Watch closely |
| Gratins, casseroles | Conventional, then top heat | Brown the top at the end |
| Frozen fries and nuggets | Fan oven or air fry | Single layer |
| Pie with soggy base | Bottom heat | Finish for 10–15 minutes |
Wondering whether to use the fan? Our guide to convection bake vs bake explains when the fan helps and when it hurts.
Symbols vs Words on US Ovens
Most ovens sold in the US, such as many GE, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Samsung and LG models, label their settings with words ("Bake," "Broil," "Convection Bake") rather than icons. Symbols are more common on European-designed ovens from brands such as Bosch, Miele, Beko and AEG, and on some countertop ovens.
- Bake = conventional (top and bottom heat, mostly bottom).
- Broil Hi / Lo = full grill at high or lower intensity.
- Convection Bake = fan oven or fan assisted, depending on the model.
- Convection Roast = fan with stronger top heat.
- Warm, Proof = low-temperature holding and dough proving.
- Sabbath mode = a setting on many US ovens that keeps the oven on and disables certain automatic features for religious observance.
Some US ovens also show small indicator icons for a locked door, a hot surface or Wi-Fi connection. Not sure whether your oven is gas or electric? See how to tell if your oven is gas or electric.
Temperature Adjustments by Setting
| Setting | Adjust recipe temperature? |
|---|---|
| Conventional (top + bottom) | No, use the recipe temperature |
| Fan oven (true convection) | Lower by about 25°F (20°C) |
| Fan assisted | Lower by about 15–25°F, or check early |
| Grill / broil | Uses high heat; control by rack height |
| Air fry | Follow air fryer timings; shake halfway |
Many recipes from the UK and Europe give a "fan" temperature and a conventional temperature. If only one is given and it says "fan," use it with the fan setting. For gas marks and Celsius conversions, check your recipe source or your oven manual.
Common Mistakes
- Using the grill instead of the oven. A zigzag icon means intense top heat only; baking a cake on it will burn the top and leave the inside raw.
- Not lowering the temperature on fan. Fan ovens cook faster; forgetting to reduce the temperature dries food out.
- Leaving the defrost setting on. Defrost doesn't cook; food left too long at room temperature isn't safe.
- Opening the door during pyrolytic cleaning. The door locks for safety and won't open until the oven cools.
- Confusing the light with a cooking mode. The bulb icon only turns on the light. If your oven isn't heating, see our oven troubleshooting guide.
Oven Symbols FAQs
What does the fan symbol mean on an oven?
It means the convection fan is on. A fan inside a circle usually means true convection (a rear heating element around the fan). A fan with top and bottom lines means fan assisted, where the fan circulates heat from those elements.
What does the zigzag symbol mean on an oven?
A zigzag line at the top is the grill or broil element. A full zigzag means the whole grill; a short one means half or center grill.
What symbol is the normal oven setting?
Two straight lines, one at the top and one at the bottom, show conventional top and bottom heat. That's the classic "bake" setting.
What does the snowflake symbol mean?
It's the defrost setting. The fan runs with little or no heat to thaw frozen food faster. Cook meat right after thawing.
What does the bottom line symbol mean?
Bottom heat only. It's useful for crisping pastry bases and finishing pies, but not for general baking.
What does the P symbol mean on an oven?
On many European ovens, a P icon indicates pyrolytic self-cleaning, which heats the oven very hot to burn off residue. Check your manual, as some brands use P for programs.
Which oven symbol is best for baking cakes?
Conventional top and bottom heat gives the most even rise for cakes. Use the center rack and bake one cake at a time for best results.
Which symbol should I use for pizza?
Use the pizza setting (fan plus bottom heat) if your oven has one. Otherwise, use fan oven or conventional with a preheated pizza stone or steel.
Do all ovens use the same symbols?
No. The basic building blocks are similar, but icons vary by brand and model. Always confirm with your owner's manual.
Why does my US oven have words instead of symbols?
Most US brands label settings with words such as Bake, Broil and Convection Bake. Symbols are more common on European-designed ovens.
The Bottom Line
Read oven symbols as building blocks: lines are top or bottom heat, a zigzag is the grill, and a fan means convection. Use conventional for cakes, fan for multi-rack baking (and lower the temperature), the pizza setting for crisp bases and the grill for browning. When an icon is unfamiliar, your manual is the final word.
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