Oven Temperature Is Off — How to Calibrate It
If food burns or cooks slow no matter the recipe, your oven's real temperature probably does not match the dial. Most ovens drift over time, and you can usually fix it yourself with a calibration adjustment.
1. Test the Real Temperature
Put an oven thermometer on the center rack, set the oven to 350°F, and let it fully preheat plus 15-20 minutes so it cycles. Read the thermometer. Do this a few times and average it — ovens cycle above and below the set point, so one glance is not enough. If it averages 25°F+ off, it needs calibration.
2. Use the Calibration Offset
Most digital ovens have a calibration/adjust setting in the menu (often hold "Bake" for a few seconds, or look under Settings). You can shift the oven up or down, usually by up to 35°F, to match your thermometer. On older ovens with a dial, there is an adjustment screw on the back of the temperature knob.
3. When It's the Sensor
If the oven is wildly off (100°F+), swings erratically, or throws a sensor code (F3/F4/F30), the oven temperature sensor (RTD) is likely faulty rather than just uncalibrated. Test it (about 1080 ohms at room temp) and replace if needed — see our oven sensor testing guide.
4. Other Causes of Uneven Cooking
Hot/cold spots can also come from a failing element (heats unevenly), blocked airflow in a convection oven, or simply using the wrong rack position. Rotate pans halfway through, and avoid crowding the oven.
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FAQ
Ovens drift over time. Test the real temperature with an oven thermometer (averaged over a few readings), then use the oven's calibration offset to correct it. A wildly-off or erratic oven usually has a failing temperature sensor.
Find the calibration/adjust setting in the oven menu (often by holding Bake) and shift it to match an oven thermometer reading. Older dial ovens have an adjustment screw on the back of the temp knob.
Always unplug an appliance and shut off its water supply before servicing. This guide is informational and not a substitute for a qualified technician.