Learn how to adjust your baking temps and calibrate your oven so your recipes turn out right.
1 Answer
The best way to calibrate an oven that runs too hot or too cold is to adjust its internal thermostat setting, usually found in the control panel or specified in the oven's manual.
Detailed Explanation:
Most modern ovens allow for a temperature offset adjustment without needing a technician. This feature lets you fine-tune the temperature reported by the oven's display to match its actual internal temperature.
- Confirm the Discrepancy: First, use a reliable oven thermometer (placed in the center of the oven) to accurately determine how far off your oven's temperature is. Preheat the oven to a specific temperature (e.g., 175°C / 350°F) and let it stabilize for at least 20-30 minutes. Note the difference between the set temperature and what the thermometer reads.
- Consult Your Manual: Look up your oven's specific make and model in the user manual. It will detail how to access the calibration mode. This usually involves holding down certain buttons (like 'Bake' or 'Temp') for a few seconds until an adjustment option appears.
- Adjust the Offset: The oven will typically display a 0°F or 0°C offset. You can then increase or decrease this value by the amount your oven is off. For example, if your oven reads 175°C but the thermometer shows 185°C (it runs hot by 10°C), you would adjust the offset to -10°C. If it runs cold by 10°C, adjust to +10°C.
- Save and Test: Save the new setting as per your manual's instructions. Then, re-test with the oven thermometer to ensure the adjustment was successful.
Pro Tip:
Even after calibrating, it's a good practice to keep an inexpensive oven thermometer in your oven, especially if you bake frequently. It provides a constant, real-time check on your oven's internal temperature.