What could possibly be wrong with my oven besides the temperature?

Question

I am amazing in the kitchen when it comes to homemade cookies and cakes. I know the problem isn't me and I've got the tasters to reassure me... They really tell me when I suck! I just moved into a house that I am renting so I'm stuck with a c**p oven. I figured that because everything I've made is cooked through edges and outside and still 'raw' in the middle, perhaps it was the wrong temp. I was wrong, as a matter of fact, the thing is right on key! I know other problems can occur that can cause this. What on earth is wrong with this freggin oven?! I need to bake!

Answer 1

Try adjusting the height of the rack?  If it's an electric oven, perhaps one of the elements is out of whack?

Answer 2

I use a digital thermostat to check ovens, many times the light will go off in 6 minutes, but the oven has not reached 350 degrees, it may take 9 or 10 minutes to get there. Short of this if you believe the oven is working you are not stuck. I would move the thing to the garage.Buy a good one like you are use to. When you move put the junker back in and take the good one with you.There is a difference in appliances usually the better grades are more efficient. Most apartments use the cheapest they can buy.Our washer sounds like a b-52 and it is brand new.The appliance repairman says this is normal for the entry level machine.You get what you pay for.

Answer 3

Uneven heating due to either the broiler element or the bake element not working, so a combination of the above answers.  The oven could reach the correct temperature with one of those elements inoperative but not evenly heat.  Try going to www.repairclinic.com for possibilities and to buy parts if you don't have a local source.

Answer 4

is it gas or electric ? i any event it could be the thermal coupler, it would look like a copper tube that was a littler larger on the end, this actuates  either the heating element or the burner. turning it off when the temperature setting has been achieve or on if it has not.

hope that helps

Cheerz

Answer 5

Bake you will. I would place multiple thermometers at various positions (front and back, top and bottom, left to right). You should be able to see variations (for that's what's going on here).

You can try to mitigate the problem by letting the oven come to temperature for an additional 15-30 minutes prior to actually baking.

If it all fails, lower your temperature by 25 F and augment your baking time.