What is the function of an oven in cooking?

The oven's primary function in cooking is to cook and bake food by providing a controlled environment with heat. This heat allows for various cooking processes such as baking, roasting, and broiling. When food is placed in an oven, the heat circulates around it, promoting even cooking and browning. This method of cooking is essential for many recipes, from baked goods like bread and cakes to roasted meats and vegetables, each of which requires a specific temperature and cooking time to achieve the desired results.

In contrast, keeping food cold involves refrigeration, which is essential for preserving ingredients and prevents spoilage, but does not relate to the oven's function. Mixing ingredients is a crucial step in many recipes, especially in baking and cooking preparations, but it is not the purpose of an oven. Lastly, while storage is a necessary aspect of a functional kitchen, an oven is not designed for storing kitchen tools; its role is centered around the cooking and baking processes.