In this section, we will explain the indicators and controls. You will also find out about the various functions of your appliance.
Note: Depending on the appliance model, individual details and colours may differ.

The individual controls are adapted for the various functions of your appliance. You can set your appliance simply and directly.
Buttons and touch fields

Rotary selector
Highlighted | The highlighted value can be changed directly without first being selected. After starting an operation, either the temperature or the level is always highlighted. At the same time, the white line is the heating line and gradually turns red. |
Enlarged | Whilst you are changing the highlighted value using the rotary selector, only this value is enlarged on the display. |

Display ring
Temperature display
Heating line | The white line under the temperature turns red from left to right as the cooking compartment heats up. When you are preheating the appliance, the optimal time to place the food in the cooking compartment is when the line has completely turned red. For set levels, e.g. the grill setting, the heating line turns red immediately. |
Residual heat indicator | When the appliance is switched off, the display ring shows the residual heat in the cooking compartment. As the residual heat cools down, the display ring becomes darker and disappears completely at some point. |
Note: Due to thermal inertia, the temperature displayed may be slightly different to the actual temperature inside the oven.
Touch-screen displays

Operating mode Use | |
Heating types ~ "Operating the appliance" on page 15 | There are various finely tuned heating types for the optimal preparation of your food. |
Assist ~ "Dishes" on page 37 | For many dishes, there are preprogrammed setting values. |
Steam ~ "Steam" on page 17 | There are various finely tuned steam types of heating for the optimal preparation of your food. |
Cleaning ~ "Cleaning function" on page 29 | There are several cleaning functions available: EcoClean, Descaling and Drying. |
Home Connect Assistant ~ "Home Connect" on page 26 | This function allows you to connect your oven with a mobile device. |
Basic settings ~ "Basic settings" on page 25 | You can change your appliance's basic settings to suit your needs. |

Default values

Before you can use your new appliance, you must make some settings. You must also clean the cooking compartment and accessories.
Before using the appliance for the first time, ask your water supplier about the hardness of your tap water. To ensure that the appliance can reliably remind you to descale it when required, you must set your water hardness range correctly.
Caution!
Notes
Water hardness range | Setting |
0 | 00 softened |
1 (up to 1.3 mmol/l) | 01 soft |
2 (1.3 - 2.5 mmol/l) | 02 medium |
3 (2.5 - 3.8 mmol/l) | 03 hard |
4 (above 3.8 mmol/l) | 04 very hard |
After connecting the appliance to the power or following a power cut, the settings for initial use are shown on the display. It may take a few seconds for the instruction to appear.
Note: You can change these settings at any time in the basic settings. ~ "Basic settings" on page 25
With HomeConnect
You can apply the initial settings on the appliance or with Home Connect on your mobile device.
On the appliance
Setting the language
The language is the first setting displayed. "German" is the preset language.
Setting the clock
The clock starts at "12:00".
Setting the water hardness
The default water hardness setting is "very hard".
A note appears in the display confirming that the initial use has been completed.
Switch the appliance off using the
On/Off button if you do not need to use it.
The boiling point of water depends on the air pressure. During calibration, the appliance self-adjusts to the pressure ratio at the installation location. This will happen automatically the first time steam-assisted cooking is used. This produces a lot of steam.
Preparing the appliance for calibration
Calibrating the appliance and cleaning the cooking compartment
Notes
to switch on the appliance.Settings |
|
Type of heating | Steam |
Temperature | 100 °C |
Cooking time | 30 minutes |
4. Heat up the appliance following calibration. Caution! Enamel damage Do not use the appliance if there is water on the cooking compartment floor. Before using the appliance, wipe away the water from the cooking compartment floor.
5. Dry the cooking compartment floor.
6. Set the specified type of heating and temperature for heating, then start the appliance. ~ "Operating the appliance" on page 15
Heating up |
|
Type of heating | 4D hot air |
Temperature | Maximum |
Cooking time | 30 minutes |
7. Keep the kitchen ventilated while the appliance is heating.
8. Stop the appliance once the specified time has elapsed. Press the on/off button
to switch off the appliance.
9. Wait for the cooking compartment to cool down.
10. Clean the smooth surfaces with soapy water and a dish cloth.
11. Empty the water tank and dry the cooking compartment. ~ "After every steam operation" on page 20
Notes
You have already learnt about the controls and how they work. Now we will explain how to set your appliance. You will learn about what happens when you switch the appliance on and off, and how to select the operating mode.
Before you are able to set the appliance, you must switch it on.
Note: The childproof lock and the timer can also be set when the appliance is switched off. Certain displays and notes, such as those relating to the residual heat in the cooking compartment, remain visible on the display after the appliance has been switched off.
Switch off your appliance when you do not need to use it. If no settings are applied for a long time, the appliance switches itself off automatically.
Switching on the appliance
On/Off button to switch on the appliance. The Bosch logo appears on the display, followed by the selection list for the types of heating.Note: In the basic settings, you can specify which operating mode should appear after the appliance is switched on. ~ "Basic settings" on page 25
Switching off the appliance
On/Off button to switch off the appliance.Note: You can set whether or not the time should be displayed when the appliance is switched off in the basic settings. ~ "Basic settings" on page 25
Start/Stop button to start each operation.Pausing the operation
Start/Stop button.Note: The fan may continue to run after an operation has been paused or cancelled.
Selecting an operating mode
Once the appliance is switched on, the default operating mode is displayed.
If you would like to select a different operating mode, you can do so using the menu. You can find detailed descriptions of the individual operating modes in the corresponding sections.
The following always applies:
Start/Stop button to start.The appliance starts the operation.
Setting the type of heating and temperature
If the "Types of heating" operating mode has not been selected, touch the "Types of heating" text field in the menu. The selection list for the types of heating appears on the touch-screen displays.
Example in the picture: Hot air eco
at 195 °C.
1. Touch the text field with the required type of heating. If necessary, scroll though the selection list using the rotary selector.

The temperature is highlighted white.
2. Set the temperature using the rotary selector.

3. Press the
Start/Stop button to start. The time on the display shows how long the operation has already been running.

The appliance begins to heat up.
When your dish is ready, switch off the appliance using the
On/Off button.
Note: You can also set the cooking time and an end time for the operation on the appliance. ~ "Timesetting options" on page 21
Changing
Start/Stop button to interrupt the operation and then touch the "Type of heating" text field. The selection list is displayed. Touch the required type of heating. The corresponding default temperature appears on the display.Note: When you change the type of heating, the other settings are also reset.
With Rapid heating, you can shorten the heat-up time for some heating types.
The heating types suitable for Rapid heating are:
4D hot air
Top/bottom heatingTo achieve an even cooking result, do not place your food or accessories into the cooking compartment until "Rapid heating" is complete.
Applying settings
Ensure you have selected a suitable type of heating and set a temperature of at least 100 °C. Otherwise, rapid heating cannot be activated.
When rapid heating comes to an end, an audible signal sounds and a message appears on the display. "Off" is displayed in the text field. Place your dish in the cooking compartment.
Note: The "Cooking time" time-setting option starts at the same time as rapid heating. Therefore, only set a cooking time when rapid heating has come to an end.
Cancelling
There are various settings available to you in order to help use your appliance effectively and simply. You can change these settings as required.
The appliance must be switched on.
A message is shown on the display to confirm that the settings have been saved.
Cancelling
On/Off button if you do not need to use it.List of basic settings
Depending on the features of your appliance, not all basic settings are accessible.
Setting Options | |
Language | Additional languages are possible. |
Clock | Clock in 24-hour format |
Water hardness |
|
Home Connect | Switching WiFi on and off ~ "Home Connect" on page 26 |
Factory settings | Restore Do not restore* |
Audible signal | Short cooking time (30 sec.) Medium cooking time (1 min.)* Long cooking time (5 min.) |
Volume | Levels 01 - 05 |
Button tone | Switched on Switched off* (tone remains for ÿ On/ Off) |
Display brightness | 5 levels |
Clock display | Off |
Digital | |
Analogue | |
Lighting | Off during operation On during operation* |
Operation after switching on | Main menu Types of heating* Steam Assist |
Night-time darkening | Switched off* Switched on |
Brand logo | Display* Do not display |
Fan run-on time | Recommended* Minimum |
Pull-out system | Not retrofitted* (for rails and single pullout system) Retrofitted (for double and triple pull-out systems) |
Sabbath mode | Switched on Switched off* |
* Factory setting (factory settings may vary depending on the appliance model) | |
Note: Changes to the language, button tone and display brightness settings take effect immediately. All other changes take effect after the settings have been changed
If you want to change the time, for example from summer to winter time, you must change the basic setting.
The appliance must be switched on.
A message is shown on the display to confirm that the settings have been saved.
With the Sabbath mode, a cooking time of up to 74 hours can be set. You can keep the food in the cooking compartment warm without having to switch the oven on or off.
Before you are able to use the Sabbath mode, you must activate it in the basic settings. ~ "Basic settings" on page 25 When the basic setting has been changed accordingly, Sabbath mode is listed with the types of heating as the last type of heating. The appliance heats up with top/bottom heating. You can set a temperature between 85 °C and 140 °C. The "Types of heating" operating mode must be selected. The selection list for the types of heating appears on the touch-screen displays.
Start/Stop button to start. The cooking time counts down on the display.The appliance begins to heat up.
When the cooking time for Sabbath mode has ended, an audible signal sounds. The appliance stops heating. The cooking time 00 m 00 s is shown on the display.
Press the
On/Off button to switch off the appliance.
Note: The operation is not interrupted if you open the appliance door.
Changing and cancelling
On/Off button. You can no longer pause the operation using the
Start/Stop button.With good care and cleaning, your appliance will retain its appearance and remain fully functioning for a long time to come. We will explain here how you should correctly care for and clean your appliance.
To ensure that the different surfaces are not damaged by using the wrong cleaning agent, observe the information in the table. Depending on the appliance model, not all of the areas listed may be on/in your appliance.
Caution! Risk of surface damage Do not use:
Wash new sponge cloths thoroughly before use.
Tip: Highly recommended cleaning and care products can be purchased through the after-sales service. Observe the respective manufacturer's instructions.
Warning – Risk of burns! The appliance becomes very hot. Never touch the interior surfaces of the cooking compartment or the heating elements. Always allow the appliance to cool down. Keep children at a safe distance.
Area | Cleaning |
| Appliance exterior | |
Stainless steel front | Hot soapy water: Clean with a dish cloth and then dry with a soft cloth. Remove flecks of limescale, grease, starch and albumin (e.g. egg white) immediately. Corrosion can form under such flecks. Special stainless steel cleaning products suitable for hot surfaces are available from our after-sales service or from specialist retailers. Apply a very thin layer of the cleaning product with a soft cloth. |
Plastic | Hot soapy water: Clean with a dish cloth and then dry with a soft cloth. Do not use glass cleaner or a glass scraper. |
Painted surfaces | Hot soapy water: Clean with a dish cloth and then dry with a soft cloth. |
Control panel | Hot soapy water: Clean with a dish cloth and dry with a soft cloth. Do not use glass cleaner or a glass scraper. If descaler comes into contact with the control panel, wipe it off immediately. If you leave it, it may stain the control panel. |
Door panels | Hot soapy water: Clean with a dish cloth and then dry with a soft cloth. Do not use a glass scraper or a stainless steel scouring pad. |
Door handle | Hot soapy water: Clean with a dish cloth and then dry with a soft cloth. If descaler comes into contact with the door handle, wipe it off immediately. Otherwise, any stains will not be able to be removed. |
| Appliance interior | |
Enamel surfaces and self-cleaning surfaces | Observe the instructions for the surfaces of the cooking compartment that follow the table. |
Glass cover for the interior lighting | Hot soapy water: Clean with a dish cloth and then dry with a soft cloth. If the cooking compartment is heavily soiled, use oven cleaner. |
Door seal Do not remove. | Hot soapy water: Clean with a dish cloth. Do not scour. |
Door cover | made from stainless steel: Use stainless steel cleaner. Follow the manufacturers' instructions. Do not use stainless steel care products. made from plastic: Clean using hot soapy water and a dish cloth. Dry with a soft cloth. Do not use glass cleaner or a glass scraper. Remove the door cover for cleaning. |
Rails | Hot soapy water: Soak and clean with a dish cloth or brush. |
Pull-out system | Hot soapy water: Clean with a dish cloth or a brush. Do not remove the lubricant while the pull-out rails are pulled out – it is best to clean them when they are pushed in. Do not clean in the dishwasher. |
Accessories | Hot soapy water: Soak and clean with a dish cloth or brush. Clean dirt on stainless steel roasting dishes caused by starchy foods (e.g. rice) using a vinegar solution. |
Water tank | Hot soapy water: Clean with a dish cloth and rinse thoroughly to remove residual detergent. Then dry with a soft cloth. Leave the water tank to dry with the lid open. Rub the seal on the lid until dry. Do not clean in the dishwasher. |
Meat thermome-ter | Hot soapy water: Clean with a dish cloth or a brush. Do not clean in the dishwasher. |
Notes
The back wall, ceiling and side parts in the cooking compartment are self-cleaning. You can tell this from the rough surface.
The cooking compartment floor is enamelled and has smooth surfaces.
Cleaning enamel surfaces
Caution! Never use oven cleaner in the cooking compartment when it is still warm. This may damage the enamel. Remove all food remnants from the cooking compartment and the appliance door before you next heat up the appliance.
Leave the cooking compartment open to dry after cleaning it.
Note: Food residues can cause white deposits to form. These are harmless and do not affect how the appliance works. You can remove these residues using lemon juice if required.
Cleaning self-cleaning surfaces
Caution! Do not use oven cleaner on self-cleaning surfaces. This will damage the surfaces. If oven cleaner does get onto these surfaces, dab it off immediately using water and a sponge cloth. Do not rub the surface and do not use abrasive cleaning aids.
Always keep the appliance clean and remove dirt immediately so that stubborn deposits of dirt do not build up.
Warning – Risk of fire! Loose food remnants, fat and meat juices may catch fire. Before using the appliance, remove the worst of the food remnants from the cooking compartment, heating elements and accessories.
Tips
Your appliance has the "EcoClean" and "Descaling" operating modes. The self-cleaning surfaces in the cooking compartment are cleaned with the “EcoClean” cleaning function. You can use the "Descaling" operating mode to remove limescale from the evaporator.
Note: The appliance records the number of times it is used. The appliance indicates when it has reached a point in time after which cleaning is recommended. The recommendation is displayed until the cleaning function has finished.
Before running the cleaning function
Remove shelves, rails, accessories and ovenware from the cooking compartment.
Cleaning the cooking compartment floor and the inside of the appliance door
Caution! Do not use oven cleaner on the self-cleaning surfaces. This will damage the surfaces. If oven cleaner does get onto these surfaces, dab it off immediately using water and a sponge cloth. Do not rub the surface and do not use abrasive cleaning aids.
Warning – Risk of burns! ; The appliance becomes very hot on the outside during the cleaning function. Never touch the appliance door. Allow the appliance to cool down. Keep children at a safe distance.
Setting the cleaning function
Before setting the cleaning function, ensure that you have followed all instructions for preparation. The duration for the cleaning function is preset to 1 hour. It cannot be changed.
Start/Stop button to start. The time counts down on the display. The heating line does not appear for the cleaning function.The cleaning function starts.
Ventilate the kitchen when the cleaning function is running.
When the cleaning function has ended, an audible signal sounds. The duration 00 m 00 s is shown on the display. Press the
On/Off button to switch off the appliance.
Setting a later end time
Cancel
On/Off button. You can no longer pause the operation using the
Start/Stop button.Note: The operating hour counter is not reset. The instruction for the cleaning function is still shown on the display.
Once the cleaning function has finished
Note: During operation and while the cleaning function is active, reddish patches may form on the surfaces. This is not rust, but residue from food. These spots are not harmful and do not impair the cleaning ability of the self-cleaning surfaces.
To ensure that your appliance continues to operate correctly, it must be descaled regularly.
Descaling comprises a number of different steps. For hygiene reasons, the descaling programme must be run through completely before the appliance is ready for operation again. In total, the descaling programme runs for approx. 70–95 minutes.
If descaling is interrupted (e.g. due to a power failure or because the appliance is switched off), you will be prompted to rinse the appliance twice when you switch it back on. The appliance cannot be used until the second rinsing cycle has finished.
The frequency with which the appliance must be descaled depends on the hardness of the water used. When only another five or fewer steam-assisted operations are possible, the appliance reminds you to descale it with a message on the display. The number of remaining operations is displayed after the appliance is switched on. You can therefore prepare for the descaling in good time.
Starting
Caution!
If you have used a steam-assisted operation immediately before descaling, you must first switch the appliance off so that the residual water is pumped out of the evaporator system.
On/Off button to start.
to start.The appliance is now descaled.
The time counts down in the display. Once the cooking time has elapsed, an audible signal sounds.
First rinsing cycle
Start/Stop button to start. The appliance rinses. Once the duration has elapsed, an audible signal sounds.Second rinsing cycle
Start/Stop button to start. The appliance rinses. Once the duration has elapsed, an audible signal sounds.Rinsing
Descaling is complete and the appliance is ready for use again.
If a fault occurs, there is often a simple explanation. Before calling the after-sales service, please refer to the fault table and attempt to correct the fault yourself.
You can often easily rectify technical faults on the appliance yourself.
If a dish does not turn out exactly as you wanted, you can find many tips and instructions for preparation at the end of the operating manual. ~ "Tested for you in our cooking studio" on page 39
Fault Possible cause Notes/remedy | ||
The appliance does not work. | Faulty fuse. | Check the circuit breaker in the fuse box. |
Power cut | Check whether the kitchen light or other kitchen appliances are working. | |
"Sprache Deutsch" appears on the display. | Power cut | Reset the language and the time. |
The time does not appear when the appliance is switched off. | Basic setting is changed. | Change the basic setting for the clock display. |
The appliance does not heat up; the m symbol lights up on the display. | Demo mode is activated in the basic settings. | Briefly disconnect the appliance from the mains (switch off the circuit breaker in the fuse box) and then deactivate demo mode in the basic settings within 3 minutes. |
The appliance will not start and "Cooking compartment too hot" appears on the display | The cooking compartment is too hot for the selected dish or type of heating | Allow the cooking compartment to cool down and start again |
The rotary selector has fallen out of the support in the control panel. | The rotary selector has been accidentally disengaged. | The rotary selector can be removed. Simply place the rotary selector back in its support in the control panel and push it in so that it engages and can be turned as usual. |
The rotary selector can no longer be turned easily. | There is dirt under the rotary selector. | The rotary selector can be removed. To disengage the rotary selector, simply remove it from the support. Alternatively, press on the outer edge of the rotary selector so that it tips and can be picked up easily. Carefully clean the rotary selector and its support on the appliance using a cloth and soapy water. Dry with a soft cloth. Do not use any sharp or abrasive materials. Do not soak or clean in the dishwasher. Do not remove the rotary selector too often so that the support remains stable. |
Home Connect does not work correctly. |
| Go to www.home-connect.com |
Operations with steam or descaling do not start or do not continue | Water tank empty | Refill water tank |
The panel is open | Close the panel | |
Descaling locks operations with steam | Carry out descaling | |
Faulty sensor | Call the after-sales service | |
The appliance prompts you to rinse | The power supply was interrupted or the appliance was switched off during the descaling process | Once the appliance is switched on again, rinse it twice |
The appliance prompts you to descale without the counter appearing beforehand | The set water hardness range is too low | Carry out descaling Check the set water hardness range and adjust it, if necessary |
Buttons flash | Normal occurrence caused by condensation behind the control panel | As soon as the condensation has evaporated, the buttons no longer flash |
Cooked dishes turn out too moist or too dry when cooking with steamassisted applications | The wrong steam intensity was selected | Select a higher or lower steam intensity |
The "Fill water tank" message appears even though the water tank is full | The panel is open | Close the panel |
The water tank is not clicked into place | Click the water tank into place ~ "Steam" on page 17 | |
Faulty sensor | Call the after-sales service | |
The water tank has fallen off. Due to the impact, components inside the water tank have come loose, and the tank is leaking. | Order a new water tank | |
The panel for removing the tank does not open | The plug is not plugged into the mains | Connect the appliance to the electricity supply |
Power cut | Check whether other kitchen appliances are working | |
The circuit breaker is faulty | Check in the fuse box to make sure that the fuse for the appliance is in working order | |
| Call the after-sales service If required, empty the water tank: Open the appliance door, take hold of the lower part of the panel on the left and right with your fingers and pull out the panel | |
When you cook with steam, a lot of steam is produced | The appliance is being automatically calibrated | Normal procedure |
When cooking with steam, a lot of steam is produced repeatedly | The appliance is unable to calibrate itself automatically if cooking times are too short | Reset the appliance to the factory settings and repeat the calibration process |
There is a "pop" noise during cooking | Cold/warm effect with frozen food, caused by the steam | Not possible |
Warning – Risk of injury! Incorrect repairs are dangerous. Do not attempt to repair the appliance yourself. Repairs must only be carried out by one of our trained after-sales engineers. If the appliance is defective, call the after-sales service.
Warning – Risk of electric shock! Incorrect repairs are dangerous. Repairs may only be carried out and damaged power cables replaced by one of our trained after-sales technicians. If the appliance is defective, unplug the appliance from the mains or switch off the circuit breaker in the fuse box. Contact the after-sales service.
Error messages on the display
On/Off button.Maximum operating time reached
On/Off button if you do not need to use it.Reference file: Bosch HSG656XB6A Serie | 8 Built-in oven
Series: Serie 8