An ink jet recording apparatus for recording an image by discharging ink from an ink jet recording head to a recording medium at a recording position, the apparatus being capable of recording the image on different recording media having different absorptivities. The apparatus conveys the recording medium along a conveyance route from the recording position, and heats the recording medium at a predetermined position in the conveyance route of the recording medium. In a first operational mode, an operative condition corresponds to a recording medium with a first absorptivity. In a second operational mode, a non-operative condition corresponds to a recording medium with a second absorptivity higher than the first absorptivity. In the invention, the ink jet recording apparatus enters the first operational mode after an electrical power is applied thereto.