QUESTION: My oven has convection roast and convection bake settings. I understand convection is a heat-circulating fan, but the roast vs. baking part confuses me. What difference does it make to the oven if I leave the lid off a meat pan?ANSWER: In food language, roast and bake really aren't different. Both are done in an open pan, usually in an oven. We refer to cooking meats and vegetables in an open pan as roasting, while cakes, cookies and pies are baked.But convection, which uses fans to circulate air, is a different beast. Deb O'Connor of JennAir, which makes an oven that has the convection-bake and convection-roast functions, says the difference is in how the heat is applied while the fan is working."Convect bake uses the convection element for heat and the fan to provide air circulation. Convect roast uses the fan, but in addition to the convection element, it will cycle on the bake and broil elements as needed to control the heat."That's why you might see the browning on top of the roast during roasting. It's able to go back and forth and use both."

QUESTION: What's the difference between club soda and seltzer?ANSWER: Club soda and seltzer both fall under the bubbly term "soda water."The difference is in how the bubbles get there. Club soda has a small amount of sodium bicarbonate, so it's a little higher in sodium.Seltzer's bubbles are added by injecting water with carbon dioxide. So it usually has no sodium (and no calories, either).

QUESTION: What's the deal with these silicon brushes that are used for basting? They say they are food-safe, dishwasher-safe, heat-resistant. I'm seeing them everywhere.ANSWER: The brushes are indeed heat-resistant, which makes them handy for working with hot mixtures. Another nice feature is that they don't shed bristles like nylon or natural-hair brushes.The only problem I've had with some styles is that since nothing sticks to them, it can be difficult to pick up enough of the glaze or whatever you're brushing on.However, OXO has a clever solution, brushes that have inner strips with holes in them, sort of like bubble wands. They pick up more of whatever you're brushing.