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Have you ever wondered why your cookies start to burn even though you followed the recipe exactly, or why your turkey took an hour longer to cook than it should have? Well, whether you use your oven a lot or a little, you should check your oven temperature every now and then to ensure the recipes you bake turns out perfectly. If your oven temperature is too low or too high, it can adversely affect the outcome of almost everything you bake. If you don't already have an oven thermometer, you can purchase one for a reasonable price at just about every local grocery or hardware store.
Some ovens just can't be set perfectly so I don't drive myself crazy trying to get the temperature 'just right' but I do opt for the temperature being about 5 or 10 degrees too high rather than too low because most recipes turn out better baking a bit faster rather than too slowly (especially bread). All you need to do is check what you're baking a little earlier than the suggested amount of time accordingly. I've had both gas and electric ovens but have never calibrated a gas oven myself so these instructions are for electric ovens. ;) Electric ovens are fairly standard, so you should be able to figure out how your temperature adjustment knob works by reading these simple instructions. Here's how to calibrate an electric oven:
Put the oven thermometer on the center rack of the oven, set the temperature to 350 degrees F and let it run for a half hour. Check the thermometer to see whether it reads 350 degrees or not. If it doesn't read 350 degrees, turn off the oven and let it cool off while leaving the thermometer on the oven rack. (If you find your oven happens to be 50 degrees or more off, whether too low or too high, you most likely will need an appliance repair person to replace the oven thermostat.)
Pull the oven temperature knob off from the stove top temperature control area. You may need to use a flat head screwdriver or butter knife to gently lift it off. The thermostat calibration dial will be located on the back of the knob. On the back of the knob there will be clips or screws locking it in place. Loosen these clips or screws and adjust the dial as needed to increase or decrease the temperature. For most electric ovens the dials have slash marks or it 'clicks', and each mark or click is for 10 degrees and you should be able to see the words 'low' on the left of the slashes and 'high' to the right of the slashes or a '+ or -'. Adjust accordingly and put the clips or screws back in place and the knob back on the stove top control shaft. Turn the oven back on and re-test the oven again for a half an hour to see the oven's temperature adjustment difference. If the oven thermometer still does not read 350 degrees F, adjust the calibration dial again and re-test the oven until it is at as accurate of a temperature as possible.
Happy Baking! ;-)
By Ann from Richland, WA
If you have a newer electric stove without the dials, you will need to look at your user's manual to find out how to calibrate. Old manuals are commonly available on the manufacturers' website.
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I have problems with temperature control in my small oven. I have to cover with foil for part of the baking time and also turn temperature down 25 degrees. I still have problems, like burned or overcooked sides of brownies.
By Angela
Ovens designed for use in the home are rarely accurate. They simply are not manufactured to the standards of commercial products. Your best solution is to purchase an oven thermometer and leave it in there.
They usual sit or hang on your oven rack. You can get one for less than $20 at just about any department or housewares store. Then you will always know what temperature your oven actually is.
