How to Troubleshoot Oven Temperatures
Undercooked cupcakes or overcooked roasts? Inaccurate oven temperatures are more than just annoyances; undercooked food presents a health hazard and overcooked food damages your cookware and home. As ovens get older, seals wear out and elements become caked with grime, affecting the way the oven performs. Troubleshooting the most common problems with oven temperatures can save you the cost of an expensive repair. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Clean the oven thoroughly. Grime caked on elements or in door seals prevent the oven from heating and cooling properly, particularly if the grime covers the internal thermostat.
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Heat the oven with the door closed. As the oven heats, check the door seals for escaping hot air. If there are areas where air escapes the oven, this affects cooking temperatures. Replace the door seal if necessary.
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Check your circuit breakers or gas supply. A faulty circuit breaker that trips during the oven's operation or a low gas supply results in cooler oven temperatures.
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Test your oven's temperature by preparing a box of white cake mix according to the directions. Do not open the oven door during baking. An over- or under-cooked cake indicates a thermostat issue; these problems generally require professional appliance repair. An oven thermometer also allows you to test your oven's temperature -- simply compare the thermometer's reading to the setting on the oven.
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