A method of controlling an aerosol-generating device including a heater, the method including, over a period of more than 30 seconds, and independent of whether a user is puffing on the device or not: heating the heater to a first temperature, then heating the heater to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and then heating the heater to a third temperature higher than the second temperature. There is also provided an aerosol-generating device including a heater and a controller; and there is also provided a system including the aerosol-generating device.