425°F = 220°C
Perfect for: Roasted vegetables with caramelized edges • Crispy pizza crust • Golden chicken thighs • Brussels sprouts • Focaccia bread
Why Your Oven Says 220°C, Not 218°C The question everyone asks
Ovens Use 5-10° Increments
Your oven dial jumps from 210°C to 220°C to 230°C. There's literally no 218°C setting.
2°C Doesn't Matter
That's less than 1% difference. Your oven fluctuates by ±10°C during normal use anyway.
220°C Is The Standard
Professional kitchens worldwide use 220°C as the high-heat roasting standard.
Your oven dial: No 218°C option exists
✅ Bottom Line: Always use 220°C when a recipe calls for 425°F. It's correct, practical, and what every oven expects.
Why 425°F (220°C) is the Perfect High Heat
The sweet spot where caramelization accelerates without burning
Caramelization Peak
At 425°F, natural sugars caramelize 40% faster than at 375°F
Moisture Magic
Creates crispy exteriors while keeping interiors juicy
Speed Zone
Shorter cooking times mean less energy consumption
Your 425°F (220°C) Timing Guide Never guess cooking times again
Vegetables
- Brussels Sprouts 20-25 min
- Carrots (1" pieces) 25-30 min
- Broccoli florets 15-20 min
- Potatoes (cubed) 30-35 min
- Asparagus 12-15 min
- Bell peppers 20-25 min
Pro tip: Toss with oil + salt first
Proteins
- Chicken thighs 35-40 min
- Chicken breast 20-25 min
- Salmon fillet 12-15 min
- Pork tenderloin 20-25 min
- Shrimp 6-8 min
- Tofu (cubed) 25-30 min
Note: Use meat thermometer
Breads & Pizza
- Pizza (thin crust) 10-12 min
- Pizza (thick) 15-18 min
- Focaccia 20-25 min
- Bread rolls 15-18 min
- Naan bread 6-8 min
- Garlic bread 10-12 min
Tip: Preheat pizza stone
Quick Items
- Bacon strips 15-20 min
- Fish sticks 12-15 min
- Frozen fries 20-25 min
- Meatballs 15-18 min
- Egg muffins 12-15 min
- Quesadillas 8-10 min
Flip: Halfway through
Avoid These 425°F (220°C) Mistakes Learn from others' experiences
Not Preheating Long Enough
The Problem:
425°F needs 20-25 minutes to fully preheat, not the usual 10-15
The Solution:
- • Start preheating before prep
- • Wait 5 min after beep
- • Use an oven thermometer
Wrong Pan Position
The Problem:
Top rack = burnt tops, bottom rack = burnt bottoms
The Solution:
- • Use center rack for even heat
- • Move to top for final browning
- • Rotate pan halfway through
Overcrowding the Pan
The Problem:
Too much food = steaming instead of roasting
The Solution:
- • Single layer only
- • Leave space between items
- • Use two pans if needed
425°F (220°C) Across Different Ovens
| Oven Type | Temperature Setting | Actual Heat | Best For | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 220°C | 215-225°C | All recipes as written | Standard baseline |
| Fan/Convection | 200°C | More even | Multiple trays | 25% faster cooking |
| Gas | Mark 7 | Variable zones | Bread, pizza | May have hot spots |
| Electric | 220°C | Very stable | Precision baking | Most accurate |
| Toaster Oven | 210°C | Runs hotter | Small batches | Watch closely |
💡 Universal Truth: Regardless of oven type, 425°F recipes aim for high-heat roasting with caramelization
425°F vs Other Temperatures
425°F vs 400°F (200°C)
Just 25°F difference but...
- ✓ 30% faster caramelization at 425°F
- ✓ Better for vegetables that need crispy edges
- → 400°F safer for delicate items
425°F vs 450°F (230°C)
The tipping point...
- ⚠️ 450°F risks burning sugar/marinades
- ✓ 425°F safer for most home cooks
- → 450°F only for plain vegetables or bread
425°F vs 375°F (190°C)
Different purposes entirely...
- ✓ 425°F: Roasting & caramelizing
- → 375°F: Baking cookies & pastries
- 💡 50°F makes a huge texture difference
Complete Your Kitchen Toolkit
🌡️ Temperature Tools
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🧁 Baking Essentials
Everything About 425°F to Celsius
What is 425 Fahrenheit in Celsius?
425 degrees Fahrenheit equals 220 degrees Celsius when rounded for practical oven use. The exact conversion is 218.33°C, but ovens typically display 220°C. For fan/convection ovens, reduce to 200°C.
Why use 220°C instead of 218°C?
Ovens are calibrated in 5-10 degree increments, so 220°C is the closest available setting to 218.33°C. The 2-degree difference (less than 1%) has no practical impact on cooking results, and 220°C is the industry standard for high-heat roasting.
What foods cook best at 425°F?
425°F (220°C) is ideal for roasted vegetables (Brussels sprouts, carrots, potatoes), pizza, focaccia bread, crispy chicken thighs, and salmon. This temperature creates perfect caramelization and crispy exteriors while maintaining moist interiors.
How long to preheat to 425°F?
425°F requires 20-25 minutes to fully preheat, longer than lower temperatures. Wait an additional 5 minutes after the preheat signal for the oven to stabilize. Using an oven thermometer ensures accuracy.
Is 425°F too hot for baking?
425°F is too hot for most cakes and cookies, which typically bake at 350-375°F. However, it's perfect for items that need quick browning and crisping like pizza, bread rolls, roasted vegetables, and proteins with crispy skin.
Master High-Heat Cooking at 425°F (220°C)
Now you know: 425°F = 220°C on your oven dial. Ready to explore more temperature conversions or perfect your roasting game?