"Bob Giel" > wrote in
ink.net:

> How much can an oven's temperature vary and still give good results?
>
> If set at 350 degrees F., what is the most it should go above or below
> the set temperature?
> Is there actually a standard or "generally accepted range"?
> Is the acceptable range a percentage of the target temperature (e.g.
> up or down 5%) or is it an absolute (e.g. up or down 10 degrees F
> maximum?)
>
> My oven is way out of whack, can vary as much as 150 degrees when set
> at 250 deg F (down to 100 and up to 289!) and +/- 70 degrees when set
> at 35. Obviously this is crazy, but I need to know what is acceptable
> for good baking, as the repair people are worthless in this regard,
> and I'm sick and tired of throwing out food!
>
> I've searched the internet for weeks and found NOTHING even remotely
> like a standard.
>
> Please help!
>
> TIA
> Bob in Los Angeles

Buy a good thermometer, not one of those cheapies at 99 cents only. Next
go to a hardware store and get a non-glazed floor tile, measure your oven
first to get the proper size, either one large one or several small ones.
The tile will help even out your oven as the temperature will most likely
vary depending on locations in your oven. My oven was horrible, one $5
tile later I love my oven. The temperature is now even and I can bake
consistently. An added benefit is it makes a nice pizza stone.

--
---
Charles Quinn

"Choosing the lesser of two evils, is still choosing evil" - Jerry Garcia