How to use an oven thermometer is a question many beginners ask me. I usually show this for all my students, but it is time, I brought it for my viewers and readers too. Understanding your oven is the first step in becoming a good baker. Without knowing the oven, it is impossible to get good results in baking. That too, if you are a beginner, then it is an intimidating task. But don’t worry, read my Baking Basics posts to understand the basics fully.
Before understanding how an oven thermometer works, you need to understand how the temperature inside the oven rises and stays constant at the set value. In case of OTG, we have two filaments which heat up the entire oven. When current passes through them, they start heating up. But it keeps on heating and the temperature increases gradually and it could be very dangerous for your baking too if there is no thermostat involved.
Before switching the oven on, we usually set the required temperature. And after the oven starts heating up, and reaches the set temperature, the thermostat senses the temperature and switches off the power to filaments. That way, the temperature won’t exceed the set temperature. And then the temperature starts declining inside the oven. At that instance, the thermostat switches the power to filaments and it heats up again. Until it reaches the set temperature. This is what happens inside your OTG to maintain the temperature. This is also the same with convection oven too. Sometimes the calibration of the thermostat may be little off, in which case, your oven might over heat or under heat creating problems with your baking. I hope I am not confusing you guys a lot.
How to find out if there is temperature differences with thermostat settings? Oven thermometer comes in handy. It helps to understand the differences and you can easily re calibrate your oven. Watch the video on how I used the thermometer to recalibrate my Sunflame oven.
You need to keep one point in mind. When the oven is new, it won’t heat up much, so it needs a long preheat time. Also the temperature might be off on the lower side. But as it ages, the offset value goes to the higher side. So keep checking the oven every three months to keep yourself up to date with your oven.
Good luck for all those who are having trouble with oven. This post will help you in understanding the temperature. If you have any other issues, let me know in comments. Let me try to help you with your query.
To get your own thermometer follow the link – https://tinyurl.com/42e57ukj
Hi Gayatri,
I’ve read with interest your information on Oven Thermometer. My oven has Gas Mark Nos. 1 – 10 on it. Most recipes these days have temperatures provided in degrees. Often get confused for this reason and feel inhibited. Would you be able to help out with a chart that May co-relate the Gas Mark No with a Degree? Also have never used an Oven Thermometer and don’t have one. Is it possible to safely use a regular digital thermometer or are Oven Thermometer specific for the the purpose of use in Ovens only?
Also we do have a Convection Microwave but here again am unable to do so as Temperature settings are not the same as for regular Gas Ovens. Kindly help.
Many thanks,
With regards,
Noreen
Please check this table – https://www.dovesfarm.co.uk/hints-tips/cheat-sheets/oven-temperature-conversion-table
I hope it helps. As for thermometer, it is better to go for an oven thermometer. Digital thermometer can’t be used in oven.