You just had to do it. After you heard about your friend’s excellent baking experience with using an oven thermometer, you just couldn’t resist the urge to open your laptop and purchase it online. But now that you have it, you realize that you have no idea how to use it!
Well, my dear oven owner, you are not alone. Many people that buy oven thermometers don’t know how or what it is used for, and some people have no idea what it is!
Luckily, I have found that learning to use the oven thermometer isn’t as difficult as you may think, and I’m sure that when you learn more about it, you will be able to say the same!
So, grab your oven mitts and get ready to jot down a few things, because we are going to explore the way to properly use an oven thermometer so that you can improve your baking.
Understanding The Oven
Understanding the mechanisms and functionality of your oven is often considered the first step towards becoming a better baker. Without having proper knowledge of your oven, the quality of your baked goods can be negatively impacted.
As a beginner, this information may seem alarming, but it is essential if you want to achieve your baking goals.
When you switch the oven to the temperature required by the recipe you are following, the temperature of the oven can slowly rise and fall without you even knowing, which can be caused by incorrect calibration of the oven.
This can seriously impact your baking and could affect the appearance and taste.
The question you might have on your mind at this point is “Well, how can I find out if there are differences or changes in temperature of the thermostat settings?”
This is where the oven thermometer comes into play.
The Oven Thermometer
So, now that you have gained a bit more knowledge on how exactly an oven works (even though you probably thought you knew how it worked this whole time), it is time to pull out your oven thermometer.
An oven thermometer is a small, oven-safe thermometer that helps a baker figure out the exact temperature of their oven. This gadget can seriously help if you have a tough time figuring out the most accurate internal temperature of the oven.
It is a necessity when you are baking, as it also promises more precise recipe times; you don’t want your cookies or baked ziti to resemble charcoal by the time you take it out of the oven, do you?
So… Where Do I Put It?
Great question, my fellow baker! Typically, you will find clips on your oven thermometer to make it easier to place them onto the racks of your oven.
(Note: each model is different, but that is what you will normally find on most oven thermometers in the market.)
Put the oven thermometer on the right and left sides of your oven, as well as the front and back, and let the thermometer sit in each spot for about 10 minutes.
The purpose of doing this is to detect any hot or cold spots that may be present in your oven, as well as to detect any temperature changes as it is moving from one spot to another.
How To Use An Oven Thermometer
Step 1: Put your oven thermometer inside. Make sure you preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (which is about 204 degrees Celsius) after you place the thermometer inside.
Step 2: Take the temperature. After your oven has been fully preheated, check the reading on the oven thermometer.
Step 3: If necessary, you must recalibrate. If the number on your oven thermometer looks a bit different from the number you set on the dial, don’t freak out. Take note of the difference in temperature of your oven and call a professional to assist you in fixing it.
Wrapping It Up
Baking can be exceptionally difficult, and what better way to add to the stress of dealing with a hard recipe than adding a confusing oven to the mix?
Lucky for you, everything that you have just read will be extremely helpful in figuring out your oven, as well as making sure the temperature is at a proper level.
If you have been struggling with baking and trying to get the right temperature, then maybe an oven thermometer might be the solution to all of your problems.
Using an oven thermometer will assist you in baking things the right way, and help you gain more confidence in the kitchen. After all, it is quite important for becoming better at baking, and can make a difference in the way your baked goods come out!
