Samsung ovens offer a keep warm feature that allows you to keep cooked foods warm at a preset temperature after cooking is completed. This can be useful for holding foods until serving time or keeping already cooked foods warm if diners are not quite ready to eat yet. The keep warm temperature on Samsung ovens is typically around 170°F (77°C). However, the exact keep warm temp can vary across different Samsung oven models.
Typical Keep Warm Temperature on Samsung Ovens
Most Samsung ovens have a keep warm setting right around 170°F (77°C). This includes popular Samsung oven models like:
- Samsung NE59J7850WS Electric Range – Keep warm temp is 170°F
- Samsung NX58H9500WS Gas Range – Keep warm temp is 170°F
- Samsung NE59M4310SS Electric Range – Keep warm temp is 170°F
- Samsung NX58M6850SS Gas Range – Keep warm temp is 170°F
So if you have a fairly recent Samsung electric or gas range, you can expect the keep warm temperature to be preset right around 170 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is warm enough to keep foods hot and ready to eat, but not so hot that it will overcook or dry out the food.
Adjusting the Keep Warm Temp on Samsung Ovens
While 170°F is the default, some Samsung oven models do allow you to custom adjust the keep warm temperature yourself. Typically this can be done through the electronic control panel on the oven.
For example, on many touch screen Samsung ovens, you can select the “Settings” option, then look for a “Keep Warm Temp” setting. This may allow you to input a custom temperature anywhere from 140°F to 200°F.
So if you want your food held at a slightly lower or higher temp, look for a “Keep Warm Temp” adjustment in your Samsung oven’s settings. Just keep in mind that straying too far from 170°F may lead to the food cooling off too quickly or overcooking.
Tips for Using the Keep Warm Function
Here are some tips to get the most out of the keep warm function on your Samsung oven:
- Only use keep warm on fully cooked foods – It cannot properly and safely cook raw or partially cooked foods.
- Do not keep foods warm for more than 2 hours max – Food quality and safety decline after extended warming.
- Use oven-safe cookware – Transfer food to a casserole dish or oven-safe pan before warming.
- Cover foods with foil – This retains moisture and prevents drying out.
- Stir periodically – Stirring helps maintain consistent temperature.
- Check food temperature – Ensure it reaches safe minimums, like 165°F for poultry.
- Allow resting time – Let foods rest 5-10 minutes before placing in warm mode.
Following these tips will help deliver optimal results when using the handy keep warm function on your Samsung oven.
How the Keep Warm Function Works
You might be wondering – how exactly does the keep warm function maintain a consistent, safe temperature over time? Here is an overview of how it works:
- Low steady heat – The oven provides gentle, continuous heat from the upper and lower heating elements.
- Cycling on/off – Elements cycle on and off to prevent overheating.
- Tight temperature range – The oven aims to stay within +/- 5°F of the set temp.
- Monitoring and adjustment – Built-in thermostats monitor and adjust output to maintain the target temp.
- Insulated cavity – The insulated oven cavity helps retain heat efficiently.
So in a nutshell, the keep warm function provides low, regulated heat in a well-insulated oven cavity. The heating elements cycle on and off as needed to maintain a consistent temperature without extreme spikes up or down.
Food Safety with Keep Warm Function
When using the keep warm function, following proper food safety practices is essential:
- Only keep fully cooked foods warm – Partial cooking can allow bacteria to survive.
- Track total warming time – Discard food warmed for over 2 hours.
- Check safe internal temperatures – Use a food thermometer to verify safe minimums are met.
- Avoid interruption of heat – Opening the door frequently will lower oven temp.
- Transfer to smaller pans – Large amounts of food in big pans cool unevenly.
- Do not let foods sit at room temp – Transfer straight from oven into warm hold.
Adhering to these food safety tips will help reduce the risk of foodborne illness when using the keep warm function. Be especially diligent with meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Troubleshooting Keep Warm Function
If you’re having issues with the keep warm function on your Samsung oven, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Food is cooling off too quickly
- Use smaller pans to improve heat circulation
- Increase keep warm temp setting if available
- Cover foods tightly with foil to retain heat
- Allow oven to fully preheat before placing food inside
- Reposition pans/racks to improve heat flow
Food is drying out
- Cover food with foil to lock in moisture
- Use a lower keep warm temp if adjustable
- Transfer to a ceramic or glass dish instead of metal
- Shorten warming time and check food frequently
- Add a small amount of liquid to the dish before warming
Uneven heating or hotspots
- Stir or rotate food periodically
- Transfer food to smaller pans
- Allow proper oven preheating
- Reposition oven racks to improve air flow
- Set keep warm temp lower if food is overcooking
Following these simple tips should help get your Samsung oven’s keep warm function working its best.
Keep Warm Capacity in Samsung Ovens
Most Samsung built-in ovens have a keep warm capacity of around 25 pounds of food. This is generally enough to hold a full holiday meal or a few large oven-safe pans.
Some tips for maximizing keep warm capacity in your Samsung oven:
- Transfer food to smaller pans for even heating
- Allow space between pans for air circulation
- Stagger rack positions to allow air flow
- Turn food periodically for even heating
- Limit door openings to retain heat
And of course, do not overload the oven beyond its keep warm capacity or the function will not work properly. Check your owner’s manual for the exact capacity of your Samsung model.
Considerations by Food Type
Certain foods are better suited for the keep warm function than others. Here are some considerations for common food types:
Meat
Well-suited for keep warm holding. Slice larger cuts before warming. Verify safe minimum internal temperature with a food thermometer before placing in warm mode.
Poultry
Works well but ensure poultry reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before holding. Check temp periodically. Cover to retain moisture.
Fish
Only keep warm for short periods as fish can overcook quickly and become dry. Wrap in foil.
Vegetables
Low moisture veggies like broccoli or carrots do well. Higher moisture veggies like greens may steam excessively.
Breads and Pastries
Best for short term warming to preserve texture. Extended warming can cause breads and pastries to dry out.
Casseroles and Sauces
Work very well for warming. Cover to retain moisture and stir periodically. Divide thick sauces into smaller pans.
Fried Foods
Do not keep crisp fried foods like french fries in warm mode for long periods. Eat soon after frying for best texture.
So in summary, denser foods with lower moisture contents tend to hold up best for extended warming periods. Just be mindful of drying and overcooking with any food when using the keep warm function.
Comparison of Keep Warm Functions by Brand
Here is how the keep warm function compares across some major oven brands:
| Brand | Keep Warm Temp | Adjustable Temp? | Max Time Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 170°F | Some models | 2 hours |
| GE | 170°F | No | 3 hours |
| Whirlpool | 170°F | No | 3 hours |
| LG | 140-200°F | Yes | 2 hours |
| Frigidaire | 140-200°F | Yes | 3 hours |
| Bosch | 160°F | No | 3 hours |
As you can see, 170°F is the most common default keep warm temp across brands, but some do allow custom adjustment within a range. Maximum recommended warming times also vary slightly by brand. But in general, the keep warm functionality is quite similar across leading oven manufacturers.
Manual Alternatives to Keep Warm
If your oven doesn’t have a keep warm function, or you simply want more control, you can mimic the same results manually:
- Use lowest possible oven temp, around 170°F
- Monitor internal food temp with a thermometer
- Cover foods with foil to retain moisture
- Stir and rotate food periodically for even heating
- Transfer food to smaller pans for consistent heat
- Limit warming periods to 2 hours max
It will take a little more effort and oversight, but you can easily keep foods warm at safe serving temperatures with this manual method. Just be diligent about monitoring food placement, stirrings, temps and time held.
Innovative Keep Warm Technology
While most keep warm functions rely on cycling the standard oven heating elements on and off, some manufacturers are getting creative with the technology:
Dual Infrared Elements
Some ovens like the Bosch Benchmark series use dual infrared lamps – one above and one below – to generate consistent, enveloping warmth.
Fan Circulated Air
Convection fan circulation can help distribute heat more efficiently if eating food right after cooking.
Humidity Control
Maintaining humidity prevents drying out. Viking ovens do this by conducting heat through the cavity walls.
Smart Sensors
Ovens with smart sensors like the June Oven regulate temps precisely and notify you when food is ready.
Remote Operation
Wi-fi connected ovens allow remote activation of keep warm so food is ready when you get home.
While basic timed cycling of heating elements still dominates, improved warming technology continues to evolve in modern ovens.
Common Mistakes Using Keep Warm
It’s easy to make mistakes when using your oven’s keep warm function. Here are some common errors to avoid:
- Not preheating – Failing to preheat can lower oven temp when food is first added.
- Overfilling – Overcrowding prevents even heating and airflow.
- No temperature monitoring – Not checking food temp can lead to unsafe conditions.
- Excess door openings – Opening the door frequently causes heat loss.
- No covers – Uncovered foods lose moisture and cool faster.
- Inconsistent stirrings – Forgetting to stir regularly leads to hot and cold spots.
- Too long warming times – Food quality and safety decline over extended periods.
- Wrong pan materials – Glass and ceramic work better than metal pans.
Simply being mindful of these common errors will help you use your Samsung oven’s keep warm function effectively and safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the keep warm function on Samsung ovens:
Is it safe to leave food in warm mode overnight?
No, it is not recommended or safe to leave foods in warm mode for extended periods overnight. Always follow maximum time guidelines and monitor foods carefully over time.
Can I use keep warm to raise the temperature of refrigerated food?
No, only use keep warm mode for cooked foods that need to maintain serving temperature. It does not get hot enough to fully cook or heat refrigerated foods.
Will keep warm overcook or dry out my food?
It can if left for too long. Follow recommended time limits, check food frequently, and cover dishes to prevent drying. Lower temp settings can help prevent overcooking as well.
Can all oven-safe dishes go in warm mode?
Most oven-safe ceramic, glass, and metal pans and dishes are fine. Avoid plastics or other heat-sensitive materials not deemed oven-safe by the manufacturer.
What food safety standards apply to keep warm function?
Follow all standard food safety guidelines including checking minimum internal temps with a food thermometer and limiting time in the temperature danger zone.
If I open the oven door often will it impact the keep warm function?
Yes, frequent opening of the oven door will lower the internal temperature so it cannot maintain the proper warming temp as efficiently. Limit openings.
Conclusion
The keep warm function on Samsung ovens provides a convenient way to keep cooked foods at optimal, safe serving temperatures for up to 2 hours. With a preset temperature of 170°F that can be customized on some models, it will keep your food warm and tasty until everyone is ready to eat. Just be mindful of food type, proper prep, monitoring, and food safety to get the most out of this handy warming feature. Check your specific Samsung oven manual for complete details on how to operate it.