If you do not have an oven, baked goods such as cakes and savory pastries can be cooked over low heat in a covered pot; a thin layer of sand or a thick layer of salt spread across the bottom provides indirect heat by keeping the pan away from direct flame. Cooking this way usually takes 50% longer than in an oven. Closing the lid tightly creates hot-air circulation like an oven; if the lid is ajar, steam escapes and the dough may remain too moist.
How to bake a cake in a pot
Spread sand or coarse salt about 1 centimeter deep on the bottom of a wide, heavy-bottomed pot, then place a wire rack or an inverted small plate on top. Set the cake pan on the rack, close the pot tightly, and cook over low heat. Tying a kitchen towel to the inside of the lid prevents condensation from dripping onto the cake; this small detail keeps its top from getting wet. Gather the corners of the towel and tie them on top of the lid so they cannot hang down toward the flame or burner. Avoid opening the pot often during cooking so the temperature inside does not drop.
Can an air fryer replace an oven?
An air fryer is a good alternative for small-volume oven dishes; its hot-air circulation produces a similar browning effect. However, its small basket may not be large enough for a big cake pan or a full tray of food. When trying oven recipes in an air fryer, lowering the temperature by 15–20°C / 27–36°F and shortening the cooking time is recommended; otherwise, the surface may become too dark before the inside cooks.
Which dishes work with covered-pan cooking?
Dishes such as oven-baked vegetables and chicken can also be cooked over low heat in a wide covered pan; the lid traps steam and creates an environment similar to an oven's moist heat. If you want the surface to brown, cook uncovered for the last few minutes. This method works especially well for thinly sliced vegetables and pieces of chicken; with thick pieces, the outside may burn before the inside cooks.
Can a barbecue grill be used instead of an oven?
A covered grill can produce an oven-like result with indirect heat by adjusting the coals; place the food at the side or on a tray rather than directly over the coals. This method works especially well for roasting meat and vegetables. Since grill temperature is harder to measure than oven temperature, it can be estimated roughly with a thermometer held near the food or by judging how long a hand can tolerate the heat. Restricting the grill's ventilation openings lowers the heat, while opening them fully raises it.
How do you control temperature when cooking without an oven?
Because none of the stovetop methods has an oven's precise temperature display, keep the heat low and check the food several times during cooking. If a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, it is done. If the heat is too high, the outside will darken before the inside cooks; patience and low heat are the most important rules for oven-free cooking. Checking more often on the first try is the quickest way to learn how your pot or pan responds to heat.
Quick summary
Without an oven, it is possible to bake a cake in a covered pot using a pan set over a layer of sand or salt; it takes about half again as long as in an oven. An air fryer, covered pan, and barbecue grill can also be good alternatives depending on size. None has an oven's precise temperature display, so keeping the heat low and checking often is the most reliable approach.