How to Use Oven Bottom Heat Setting

The bottom heat setting is a specialist oven function that many home cooks overlook — but it's the secret to perfectly crispy pie bases, properly cooked pizza, and gentle slow cooking. Here's exactly how to use it.

What Is the Bottom Heat Setting?

The bottom heat setting activates only the lower heating element in your oven, with no top element and no fan. Heat rises gently from the base of the oven cavity upward. On your control panel, it's represented by a single horizontal line at the bottom of the symbol box.

When to Use Bottom Heat

1. Crisping Pizza Bases

If your pizza base is cooked through but still soft or doughy underneath, switch to bottom heat for the last 3–5 minutes. The direct heat from below crisps the base without overbrowning the toppings.

For even better results, use a pizza steel or stone that absorbs and radiates intense bottom heat. The Pizza Steel PRO by Hans Grill is an XL 1/4-inch thick conductive steel that delivers a restaurant-quality crispy base at home.

2. Preventing Soggy Pie and Tart Bases

For pies, quiches, and tarts, use bottom heat for the first 10–15 minutes of baking to set and crisp the pastry base before the filling is added or before switching to a full bake. This technique is sometimes called "blind baking from below."

3. Slow Cooking

Bottom heat at a low temperature (120–140°C / 250–280°F) creates a gentle, steady heat environment ideal for slow-cooked casseroles, braises, and stews. Place your dish on the lowest rack for maximum effect.

4. Keeping Food Warm

At very low temperatures (60–80°C / 140–175°F), bottom heat keeps cooked food warm without continuing to cook it. Ideal for keeping plates and dishes warm before serving.

5. Finishing Bread Bases

After baking bread in conventional or fan mode, a few minutes on bottom heat can firm up and crisp the underside of the loaf for a better crust.

Step-by-Step: Using Bottom Heat for Pizza

1. Preheat oven to 220–250°C (430–480°F) on fan or conventional mode
2. Place pizza on the lowest rack or on a preheated pizza steel
3. Bake for 8–10 minutes until toppings are cooked
4. Switch to bottom heat only for the final 3–5 minutes
5. Check the base — it should be golden and crisp

Step-by-Step: Using Bottom Heat for Pies

1. Preheat oven to 190–200°C (375–390°F) on bottom heat
2. Place pie on the lowest rack
3. Bake for 15–20 minutes to set the base
4. Switch to conventional or fan mode to finish cooking the filling and top

Pro Tip: Monitor Temperature Accurately

Bottom heat settings can vary between oven models. Use an oven thermometer on the bottom rack to confirm the actual temperature. The Oven Thermometer 2 Pack (50–300°C / 100–600°F) gives you an accurate reading wherever you place it in the oven.

Summary

Use the bottom heat setting to crisp pizza bases, prevent soggy pastry, slow cook, or keep food warm. Place food on the lowest rack for maximum effect, and always monitor temperature with a thermometer for consistent results.