Baking times

[Anonymous]

I have a question about baking times in different ovens. I just moved from a condo built in early 90's. I used a builder grade gas oven and had no problems as far as baking times and recipe directions. I moved to a single family home that was converted to gas stove about 15 years ago. The oven is a fairly new Kenmore. The baking time is greatly different than what recipes call for and what I am used to. I just made box mix brownies and kept them in 20 min longer than recipe stated and they still weren't done. Don't even remind me about the raw fish i served my MIL when she came to see the new house. This happens every time I bake anything. I'm confused bc I thought 350 degrees meant 350 degrees. They did cheap out on the microwave- only 950 watts. Did they do the same thing with the oven/stove? Is there something I'm missing or is this a normal thing to have to figure out when moving to a new house?

[Anonymous]

Our oven sucks. We have a thermometer we keep in the oven and use it vs the dial to tell us what temp things are cooking.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I should try that. This oven doesn't have a dial. You enter the temperature you want and push start then you can see the temperature of the oven as it heats up with a ding when it has reached the target temperature. Fancy, I know. Maybe that is faulty?

[Anonymous]

Calibrate your oven. Go to the store and get one of those inexpensive oven thermometers. Turn on the oven for a set termperature, wait for it to preheat. Put the thermometer in the oven. Measure the front, back and both sides because some ovens do not heat evenly. If you want to be safe, do this for two different temperatures, one high (over 400F) and one low (300F or lower). This will give you a good idea of how your oven works relative to the settings. Once you know this, you can compensate for this difference when using the oven.

[Anonymous]

Yep - never trust your oven temp. Always use an oven thermometer. Sounds like your oven runs very cold.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone! Am looking on amazon now for an oven thermometer.

[Anonymous]

You can get them at the rockery store- they are dirt cheap.

[Anonymous]

Ok, iPad is weirdly auto correcting- that's grocery store, not rockery store. Wtf?!

[Anonymous]

I want a rockery store. Where can I find one near me?

They also have them at any hardware store.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just got an oven thermometer and tried it out. At 350, it is taking an extra 15 min to get to that temp after the pre-heat indicator has beeped. Will be using the thermometer from now on. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

https://www.sears.com/community/home-family/how-to-calibrate-your-oven-temperature/

Home & FamilyNovember 15, 2012
How to Calibrate Your Oven Temperature

by Barb Hopkins

During the holiday season, your oven gets a big workout. Baking, cooking and more baking often are the norm in many homes. An oven that doesn’t heat evenly or maintain a true temperature creates baking and cooking disasters.

To calibrate oven temperature, begin by checking the oven’s actual heated temperature. This requires an oven thermometer—not the same as food thermometers. Sears offers several brands of oven thermometers that either sit on or attach with a hook to the oven’s wire rack.

Determining oven temperature

Center the oven thermometer so you see it through the window. Then:

Using the preheat feature, heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the oven signals, it should be at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Check the thermometer’s temperature, writing it down.
Wait 15 minutes and note the temperature again.
Fine Cooking recommends taking four temperature readings before adding the four numbers and dividing the sum by four. The final number is the oven’s average temperature.
If the average temperature falls outside of the range 325 degrees to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, the oven needs to be calibrated.

Calibrate an oven: models with knobs

Always refer to your oven owner’s manual for exact directions. If you don’t have a manual, you may be able to access a copy online. However, you may be able to calibrate the oven temperature following these basic instructions:

Locate the Oven Temp knob.
Remove the Oven Temp knob by pulling it off the shaft.
Turn the knob over, note its current setting and write down that temperature or setting.
Loosen the small screws on the back of the knob.
Referring to the average temperature determined during the thermometer test, decide if an increase or decrease to the oven’s temperature is needed.
Turn the indicator on the back of the knob to Hotter or Cooler as needed. According to GE, each notch should adjust the temperature by 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tighten the screws, and replace the knob.
Calibrate an oven: models with digital touch pads

Depending on the oven model, the sequence of buttons needed to be pressed may vary. Some may require pressing just the Bake button, while others follow directions similar to ones below. Refer to the oven owner’s manual for exact sequence.

Locate the Bake and Broil buttons.
Hold both Bake and Broil down simultaneously for two to three seconds until the digital display reads SF. Release the buttons.
Press Bake. You should see a number or a zero.
Adjust this number to read higher or lower, calibrating the oven hotter or cooler.
On a numbered touch pad, key in the temperature adjustment needed. For a 10-degree increase, key in a one and a zero. With arrow keys, press the up arrow to increase the temperature as needed.
Press Start. The clock/digital display should show the current time, and the oven is now calibrated.
 
By: MySearsEditor