Bush Cooker Oven Symbols Explained: A Simple Guide to Every Icon and How to Use It

When you buy a new Bush cooker, the first thing that surprises you is the number of small icons printed around the oven knob. Some look like tiny fans. Some look like zig-zag lines. Some look like little dishes or snowflakes.
And if you are like most people, you probably ask the same question I once did:

“What do these symbols even mean, and which one should I use?”

I remember the first time I cooked in a Bush cooker at a friend’s house. I wanted to heat garlic bread but ended up choosing the grill symbol by mistake. The top crisped too fast, the bottom stayed cold, and I stood there confused. Since then, I promised myself that I would learn the symbols once and for all.

This simple guide will help you do the same.

You will understand what each symbol means, when to use it, and how it works in real cooking. Whether you want to bake a cake, roast chicken, grill cheese toast, or defrost frozen food, you will find the right setting here.

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What Are the Symbols on a Bush Cooker Oven?

Bush cookers usually include the most common oven functions:

• Fan oven

• Grill

• Grill with fan

• Defrost

• Conventional heat

• Bottom heat

• Top heat

• Oven light

• Eco mode

• Pizza mode (on some models)

Let’s break them down one by one in simple everyday language.

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1. Fan Oven Symbol (Fan Icon)

This shows a small fan inside a circle.

This is the most common cooking mode used in Bush ovens. The fan evenly distributes heat around the oven, so food cooks on all sides.

When to use it

• Baking cakes

• Cookies

• Lasagna

• Pasta bakes

• Roasting vegetables

• Cooking on multiple shelves

Why it’s helpful

You don’t need to rotate trays. The fan spreads hot air everywhere.
I love this setting because it saves time, especially when I need dinner ready fast after work.

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2. Conventional Oven Symbol (Top + Bottom Lines)

Two straight lines — one on top, one on bottom.

This mode heats from above and below, without any fan movement.

When to use it

• Classic baking

• Loaves of bread

• Pastries

• Foods that should rise slowly

Why it’s good

The heat feels stable and gentle.
My first banana bread came out perfect on this setting because the top did not burn.

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3. Grill Symbol (Zig-Zag Line on Top)

A single zig-zag line at the top of a square.

This means heat comes only from the top.

When to use it

• Cheese toast

• Grilled tomatoes

• Tandoori-style crisp

• Browning the top of pasta

Careful

Food can burn if too close to the top. I always keep the oven door slightly open, so I can watch it closely.

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4. Fan Grill Symbol (Fan + Zig-Zag Line)

This combines grilling with a fan.

When to use it

• Chicken wings

• Fish

• Kebabs

• Foods that need browning AND even cooking

Why it helps

The fan prevents burning while the grill gives a golden top.

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5. Defrost Symbol (Snowflake or Snowflake + Fan)

Looks like a snowflake.

When to use it

• Frozen meat

• Frozen bread

• Frozen cake

• Party snacks

The fan moves room-temperature air around the food, helping it thaw faster.
No heat is used, so the food doesn’t cook by mistake.

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6. Bottom Heat Symbol (Line at the Bottom)

One straight line at the bottom.

When to use it

• Pizzas

• Pies

• Quiches

• Foods with soggy bases

If your food bottom doesn’t brown, this is the setting you need.

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7. Top Heat Symbol (Line at the Top)

When to use it

• Browning

• Re-crisping leftovers

• Melting cheese

It is a lighter version of the grill.
Good for gentle browning.

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8. Oven Light Symbol (Lightbulb)

Turns on the inside light without heat.

When to use it

• Checking food

• Cleaning

• Watching your cake rise (very satisfying!)

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9. Eco Mode Symbol (Leaf or “ECO”)

Some Bush ovens have an energy-saving mode.

When to use it

• Slow cooking

• Foods that don’t need high heat

• Saving electricity

This mode reduces energy use by keeping the temperature steady.

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10. Pizza Setting (Fan + Bottom Heat)

Common in updated Bush cooker models.

When to use it

• Fresh pizza

• Frozen pizza

• Garlic bread

• Foods with crisp bases + soft tops

This mimics a real pizzeria stone oven.

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Which Symbol Is Used for Baking in the Oven?

For baking cakes, cookies, or brownies, use:

Fan Oven Symbol

or

Conventional Oven Symbol

Both work, but the fan oven cooks faster and more evenly.

If I am in a hurry, I choose the fan.
If I want slow, soft baking, I choose conventional.

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Which Oven Setting for Baking?

Here are simple examples:

Cakes → Fan or Conventional

Bread → Conventional

Cookies → Fan

Pastries → Conventional

Cupcakes → Fan

Brownies → Fan or Conventional (both work)

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Which Oven Symbol Is Best for Roasting?

For roasting chicken, potatoes, or veggies:

Fan Oven Symbol

is the best.

The fan helps the heat reach all sides.
Your food becomes crisp outside and soft inside.

If you want extra browning, switch to:

Fan Grill Symbol for the last 5 minutes

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What Are the Symbols on the Oven?

Many people feel confused when they first look at a Bush cooker oven panel. The symbols look small and similar, so it can be hard to know which one to choose. But once you understand what they do, cooking becomes much easier. Most Bush ovens use the same basic icons found in many modern ovens. You will see fan symbols, grill symbols, simple lines that show heating elements, and specialty icons like defrost or eco mode. These symbols help you choose the right heat for your recipe. When you learn them once, you can use them on almost any cooker.

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Which Symbol Is Used for Baking in the Oven?

Baking needs even heat. That is why the two best symbols for baking are the fan oven symbol and the top + bottom conventional heat symbol. Many home bakers prefer the fan because it spreads warm air everywhere. Cakes rise well, cookies cook evenly, and bread gets a soft inside. But traditional bakers still love the conventional symbol. It gives slow, gentle heat without strong airflow. This helps pastries or breads keep a nice shape. If you are new to baking, start with the fan symbol. It is simple, forgiving, and works with almost every recipe.

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Which Oven Setting for Baking?

Baking is easier when you match the right setting to the right food. Cakes do well in fan mode because they bake evenly and fast. Bread rises better with conventional heat because it needs steady warmth. Cookies bake very well in fan mode because the air spreads heat around. Cupcakes also love the fan mode since they are small and need equal cooking on all sides. When in doubt, choose the fan setting. It is the quickest and safest. But if the recipe says “conventional oven only,” then follow that instruction for the best result.

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Which Oven Symbol Is Best for Roasting?

Roasting needs strong heat and airflow. That is why the fan oven symbol is perfect for roasting chicken, vegetables, and potatoes. The hot air helps the skin become crisp while the inside stays juicy. If you want your roast to look golden, you can finish the last few minutes using the fan grill symbol. This gives the top a nice brown color without burning. I often roast vegetables on the fan setting because it cooks them fast. The edges become crispy, and the inside stays soft. Simple, easy, and very tasty.

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Final Thoughts

Understanding Bush cooker oven symbols can make cooking easier, faster, and more fun. You no longer need to guess which mode to use. Whether you bake, roast, grill, or defrost, the right symbol helps you cook with confidence.

Once you use these symbols a few times, they will feel natural — just like shifting gears in a car.
And trust me, your food will taste better too.