Oven is one of the most essential and frequently used kitchen appliances. It makes baking and roasting easy and worthwhile. But sadly, some might making certain mistakes while using ovens, which could do more harm than good. To make sure the oven works efficiently and to enhance its durability, it is important to follow correct using and cleaning practices. Further, avoiding some common mistakes will also ensure one is not unintentionally damaging the oven. Skipping the preheat One of the basic rules of oven use is to preheat it before placing food inside. Preheating ensures that the oven reaches the correct temperature for cooking.  Placing food in an oven that  hasn’t reached  the required temperature can lead to uneven cooking.  Baked goods might not rise properly, and meats may cook unevenly, leading to undercooked or overcooked portions. To avoid this, always wait for the oven to signal that it has reached the desired temperature before placing any dish. Overcrowding the oven When one overcrowds the oven, air circulation is restricted. This can lead to uneven cooking.  Each plate or baking tray needs space around it to enable appropriate and even  circulation of the hot air .  Overcrowding can cause some items to cook faster than others.