How Do I Check The Temperature Of My Oven For Accuracy?

Oven temperature accuracy is critical for proper cooking and baking. If an oven runs hot or cold, it can lead to undercooked or overcooked food. Checking your oven’s temperature and making adjustments helps ensure consistent, high-quality results each time you use it.

There are a few simple techniques available to home cooks and bakers for checking oven temperature accuracy. This includes using an oven thermometer, conducting a boiling water test, adjusting the oven thermostat if possible, and having a professional calibration service recalibrate the oven. This article provides an overview of these methods so you can determine if your oven is heating to the right temperature.

Why Oven Temperature Matters

An inaccurate oven temperature can have significant effects on cooking results and food safety. Cooking at an incorrect temperature can lead to undercooked or overcooked food. According to one source, “Heat fluctuations and inaccurate temperatures can cause food to cook unevenly, with some items cooked through while others are undercooked” (Oven Temperature Not Accurate).

Undercooked food is especially concerning from a food safety perspective. Chicken, pork, and other meats may appear cooked on the outside but still be raw on the inside if not heated to the proper internal temperature. Consuming undercooked meat increases the risk of contracting dangerous foodborne illnesses like salmonella and E. coli. It’s critical to ensure oven temperatures are accurate to properly cook meat and poultry.

Overcooking can also be an issue with an inaccurate oven. If the oven runs hotter than the set temperature, baked goods like cakes and cookies can burn or dry out very quickly. Precise control of the oven temperature is important for achieving the desired doneness and texture when baking.

Maintaining an accurate temperature not only improves cooking results, it also reduces safety risks from undercooked foods. Oven thermometers and proper calibration can help identify and resolve any temperature inaccuracies.

There are two main types of oven thermometers – analog and digital. An analog oven thermometer has a dial display and is placed inside the oven. A digital oven thermometer has an electronic display and can have a probe placed inside the oven while the display remains outside. According to sources, the best placement for an oven thermometer is in the center of the oven, avoiding areas near the door, walls, or rear of the oven.

When using an analog oven thermometer, make sure it is facing outwards and is easy to read through the oven window. Position it away from the rear oven wall by at least 2 inches. For a digital probe thermometer, place the probe in the center of the oven, taking care that the wire doesn’t touch the oven walls or racks. The oven thermometer display can be placed on the stovetop or outside the oven. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for the recommended placement.

Proper placement allows the thermometer to accurately read the ambient oven temperature. Keeping it away from direct contact with the oven walls avoids hot or cool spots that can skew the reading. The oven thermometer should remain in place during preheating and cooking to monitor any fluctuations in temperature (Source).

Boiling Water Test

One simple way to test the accuracy of your oven’s temperature is by using boiling water. Since water boils at 212°F at sea level, you can compare the temperature reading on your oven to the known boiling point of water.

To perform this test:

• Bring a pot of water to a full rolling boil on the stove.
• Pour the boiling water into a metal cake pan or oven-safe glass baking dish.
• Place the pan of boiling water on the center rack of your cold oven and immediately set the oven to 350°F.
• Close the oven door and allow it to heat up.
• After 15 minutes, open the oven door and immediately insert an oven thermometer into the center of the pan of water.
• Read the thermometer temperature and compare it to 212°F.
• If the reading aligns with 212°F, your oven is likely calibrated accurately. If it reads above or below 212°F, your oven may need adjustment.

This boiled water test allows you to check your oven’s temperature without any special equipment besides a thermometer and metal or oven-safe pan. However, remember to account for your elevation above sea level, as the boiling point drops about 2°F for every 1,000 feet increased elevation. Always test with boiling water each time you perform this method to ensure accuracy.

Oven Thermostat Adjustment

The oven thermostat controls the internal temperature and can be adjusted if the oven is heating inaccurately. To adjust the thermostat:

1. Locate the thermostat by opening the oven door and looking inside the oven cavity. On most models, you’ll find the thermostat mounted to the back wall with visible screws or a knob.

2. Before adjusting, make sure the oven is completely cool. Then, remove the thermostat knob or unscrew the cover to access the adjustment screw(s) behind it. Refer to your owner’s manual if needed.

3. To increase the oven temperature, turn the adjustment screw(s) counterclockwise. To decrease the temperature, turn them clockwise. Make small adjustments of about 1/4 turn at a time.[1]

4. After adjusting, replace the thermostat knob and test the oven’s accuracy again. You may need to repeat the process several times to dial in the right temperature.

Recalibration Services

Professional third party oven calibration and recalibration services can help ensure your oven is properly calibrated for accuracy. Many metrology labs and calibration companies offer professional oven calibration services to periodically check and adjust your oven’s temperature. These professional services use precise reference standards and proper methodology to calibrate industrial ovens. Costs vary, but expect to spend around $200-500 for gas oven recalibration and $300-800 for electric oven recalibration by an accredited metrology lab.

The technicians performing the oven calibration use specialized equipment like thermocouples, reference thermometers, and data loggers to check temperature uniformity and stability at different setpoints. They can then provide documentation of as-found and as-left results. This gives you confidence your oven’s temperature is properly calibrated to the right specs.

Consider getting your oven professionally recalibrated about once a year or according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. This periodic checkup helps ensure your oven maintains accuracy over years of heavy use.

Try an Oven Thermometer First

Before attempting to recalibrate your oven or calling for professional recalibration services, it’s a good idea to first try using an oven thermometer. Oven thermometers are relatively inexpensive (around $10 on Amazon), and can give you an accurate reading of your oven’s current temperature.

Using an oven thermometer is beneficial for a few reasons:

• It’s a more affordable option before pursuing professional recalibration, which can cost over $100.
• You can get an accurate temperature reading and determine if your oven is actually off or if it’s a faulty thermostat.
• It allows you to adjust your cooking times and temperatures accordingly if your oven is off.
• You may find your oven is not off enough to warrant professional recalibration.

An oven thermometer gives you valuable temperature data before spending money on recalibration. It’s a handy tool for any baker to have to routinely monitor oven accuracy over time. Try using an oven thermometer first to determine if your oven truly needs recalibration.

Maintain Accuracy Over Time

Oven temperature accuracy can fluctuate over time as the appliance ages. According to Whirlpool, ovens may lose up to 25-50°F in accuracy over the course of 10-15 years of regular use.

To maintain accuracy, it’s recommended to periodically check oven temperature with a reliable oven thermometer. Test the oven at commonly used temperatures like 350°F or 425°F and make note if it differs significantly from the set point. Check every 6 months or once a year to stay on top of any temperature drift.

Catching oven temperature inaccuracy early allows you to recalibrate the oven back to specifications. If the inaccuracy becomes severe over time, professional recalibration or replacement may be required.

When to Contact a Technician

There are a few signs that indicate it’s time to call a professional appliance technician for oven repair:

If your oven is not heating properly or maintaining a steady temperature, it could lead to unsafe cooking conditions and undercooked food, raising the risk of foodborne illness. An oven that heats unevenly can also cause burning or scorching in some areas. These are signs of a malfunctioning thermostat or heating element that requires professional service.

An oven that emits burning smells, smoke, or strange noises also warrants immediate technician attention. This indicates a short circuit or more serious electrical issue that should be addressed right away to prevent a potential fire hazard.

If the oven door won’t close properly or the door glass is damaged, this can impact oven performance and allow dangerous heat to escape. A broken oven handle or hinge that prevents safe use of the appliance should likewise be repaired by a technician.

While minor issues can sometimes be DIY repaired, any problem that affects the fundamental performance and food safety of your oven requires calling in appliance experts. They have the proper tools, testing equipment, and experience to accurately diagnose issues and safely restore your oven to working order.

Conclusion

In summary, there are several techniques you can use to check the accuracy of your oven temperature. The easiest is to use an oven thermometer placed in the center of the oven. Compare the thermometer reading to your oven setting to see if they match. If not, you can adjust the oven thermostat to recalibrate it. Doing a boiling water test is another simple way – boil water at sea level and it should reach 212°F. If your oven thermometer and the boiling water test show inaccurate readings, you may need a technician to professionally recalibrate your oven.

Maintaining proper oven temperature is critical for successful baking and cooking. An inaccurate oven temperature can lead to undercooked or overcooked foods. Checking your oven thermometer periodically and recalibrating when needed will help ensure your oven reaches the correct temperature for recipes. Accurate temperature control is the key to consistent, quality results from your oven.