why do some recipes tell you to use the top third of the oven, and how much of a difference does it really make?

Question

why do some recipes tell you to use the top third of the oven, and how much of a difference does it really make?

In: 2643

Answer 1

Heat rises. The upper third of the oven is going to be slightly hotter than the lower thirds. There are certain recipes where the additional heat is desired for ensuring that we get the desired texture for what you are cooking. In general, not doing so isn’t going to ruin the dish entirely, but it might not come out exactly as crispy as the person writing the recipe hoped for.