Oven symbols explained: What does each icon actually do?

Oven symbols can be confusing if you're not sure what each one means. But knowing them is super handy, especially when following a specific recipe.

That’s why we’ve created a helpful overview of common oven icons.

In this blog, you’ll also learn how to identify whether your oven is a convection, electric, or fan oven – and what to do if your oven doesn’t have the exact symbol a recipe calls for.

Jump to:

• Oven symbols overview

• What’s the symbol for 'preheating'?

• Electric, fan or convection oven?

• What if the right oven symbol is missing?

• Bosch oven symbols explained

What are the symbols for the different oven settings?

Want a crispy pizza base? Prefer to bake a fluffy cake or gently cook fish? Your oven can do all that and more. Get the perfect pizza, cake or fish by using the right oven setting.

Each oven function serves a different purpose.

Below is a breakdown of the most common oven symbols and what they mean:

Oven symbols overview

Top and bottom heat

Classic oven setting: heats from the top and bottom at the same time.

Best for:

• Cakes (e.g. vanilla cake, bundt cake)

• Casseroles (lasagna, moussaka)

• Bread (white, sourdough)

• Cookies

Bottom heat only

Ideal for dishes that need heat mainly from below.

Best for:

• Pizza

• Quiche

• Tart crusts

• Crispy bread crust

Top heat only

Use this for browning or crisping the top of your dish.

Best for:

• Crème brûlée

• Cheese-topped lasagna

• Stuffed peppers

• Chicory with ham and cheese

Fan oven (hot air)

Distributes hot air evenly throughout the oven, great for cooking multiple dishes at once.

Best for:

• Tray-baked pizza

• Potato wedges

• Savoury pies

• Cookies on multiple racks

Grill function

Grills meat or browns dishes. Often includes an eco-grill mode (half-line symbol) for lighter grilling.

Best for:

• Grilled chicken breast

• Toasties

• Crispy fish

• Roasted vegetables

Pizza setting

Combines bottom heat with circulating air. Ideal for crispy bases.

Best for:

• Pizza (fresh or frozen)

• Flammkuchen

• Focaccia

• Savoury tray bakes

Defrost function

Safely defrosts frozen food without cooking it.

Best for:

• Frozen rolls

• Frozen fruit

• Frozen cakes

• Raw meat (e.g. mince)

Steam function (steam ovens only)

Cooks gently with steam – a healthier option without needing oil or butter. Preserves nutrients better than boiling.

Best for:

• Vegetables (e.g. broccoli, carrots)

• Fish (salmon, cod)

• Rice

• Steamed buns (bao buns)

No microwave? Use the steam function to reheat food gently.

Microwave mode (combi ovens only)

Great for quickly reheating leftovers, microwave meals or defrosting.

Best for:

• Reheating meals

• Porridge or oatmeal

• Warm milk

• Defrosting frozen products

Crisp function (combi ovens only)

Combines microwave power with a special crisp plate for a crunchy finish.

Best for:

• Frozen pizza

• Crispy potato slices

• Quiche or savoury pies

• Toasties (on some ovens)

What’s the oven symbol for ‘preheating’?

Most ovens don’t have a separate icon just for preheating. Instead, a light will usually blink or stay on while the oven is heating up.

If your oven has a display, it often shows the rising temperature until it reaches your set level.

Just choose the setting and temperature, and your oven will start preheating automatically. Once it’s ready, the light typically stops blinking or a signal appears.

How do you know if you have an electric or fan oven?

Check your oven’s user manual for symbols. It’s the fastest way to find out.

Fan icon? That’s a fan or convection oven

Just lines at the top and bottom? Then you’ve likely got a standard electric oven with top and bottom heat

No manual? Look for the model number—usually found on the door edge or inside wall of the oven. Then google ‘manual + model number’.

You’ll often find the correct one online.

Renting an oven from us? Smart move. Just call us and we’ll send your manual right over.

Is a convection oven the same as a fan oven?

Yes, these terms are often used interchangeably. In the Netherlands, we tend to say “fan oven”, while “convection oven” is the more technical or international term.

What if the right oven symbol is missing?

Don’t worry if the recipe mentions a setting your oven doesn’t have.

Try one of these alternatives:

• No fan setting? Use top and bottom heat and increase the temperature by 10–20°C.

• No pizza setting? Try bottom heat or bottom heat with fan.

• No grill? Use top heat, but keep a close eye on your dish.

Bosch oven symbols explained

Since you can rent a Bosch oven from us, here’s how to interpret Bosch’s oven icons.

This section answers questions like:

1. What do the symbols on a Bosch oven mean?

2. Are the icons the same on every Bosch model?

Are Bosch oven symbols always the same?

Mostly, yes. The types and number of functions may vary by model. When in doubt, always check your specific user manual.

Bosch oven symbols breakdown

Heating and baking

3D/4D hot air

Hot air

Gentle hot air

Top and bottom heat

Bottom heat

Grilling and browning

Full-width grill

Half-width grill

Fan grill

Special cooking functions

Air fry

Pizza mode

Slow cooking

Dough proving

Keep warm

Microwave function

Steam function

Defrosting and reheating

Defrost setting

Regenerate with steam

Cleaning

EcoClean

Pyrolytic self-cleaning

How do I change the temperature on a Bosch oven?

Most Bosch ovens have a dial or touchscreen. First select the desired function (e.g. hot air), then use the dial or plus/minus buttons to set the temperature.

What is pizza mode on a Bosch oven?

It combines bottom heat with circulating air. The symbol usually shows a fan with a line underneath. This setting gives your pizza a crispy base and evenly cooked toppings.

Check out our ovens with pizza mode.

How do I use the grill on a Bosch oven?

Select the grill icon (zigzag line). Choose full or half grill and set the temperature. Place the rack high in the oven and keep an eye on your dish.

What does the water drop symbol on my Bosch oven mean?

That’s the steam function. This setting is perfect for delicate dishes like vegetables or fish and keeps them moist and juicy.

Explore our Bosch ovens with steam function.

Does a Bosch oven have a cleaning mode?

Yes, some models do, which saves you time. We also offer ovens with cleaning functions. Still, we recommend checking and cleaning the oven manually now and then for the best results. That way, your oven stays in top condition and your food always tastes fresh.

Check out our Bosch ovens with EcoClean or Pyrolytic self-cleaning.

Check out our blog: How to clean your oven?