Leaving the oven door open after turning off the oven serves a couple of purposes:
Faster cooling: By leaving the oven door open, the hot air trapped inside the oven can escape more quickly. This helps to reduce the oven's internal temperature faster than if you were to leave the door closed. It can be especially useful in hot weather or when you want to cool down the oven rapidly to prevent overcooking or keep the kitchen from getting too hot.
Energy conservation: Allowing the oven to cool down naturally with the door open can help save energy, as it prevents the need for the oven's internal cooling fan to work as hard to bring down the temperature.
How long you should leave the oven door open depends on several factors, such as the oven's type and the cooking temperature. As a general guideline:
For lower cooking temperatures (up to 300°F or 150°C), leaving the oven door open for a few minutes (around 5-10 minutes) should be sufficient to help cool it down.
For higher cooking temperatures (above 300°F or 150°C), you may want to leave the door open for a bit longer, maybe 15-20 minutes, to allow the oven to cool down more effectively.
However, keep in mind that leaving the oven door open for an extended period can lead to unnecessary heat loss in your kitchen, so it's best to strike a balance based on your cooling needs and energy considerations. Additionally, make sure to keep children and pets away from the open oven to prevent accidents or burns.