Why Would You Calibrate Your Oven?

by Kevin Lilly
A tray of roasted chicken and vegetables inside an oven.

Sometimes ovens are "designed" to run slightly cooler or hotter than their specified temperatures to improve performance. If your oven produces the results you are looking for, then no additional adjustment is necessary. However, if your previous oven ran “hot” or “cool” or you are not satisfied with the baking quality and times your current oven is delivering, you may want to calibrate your oven to achieve your desired cooking experience.

Cookies baking on two separate racks in an oven

How To Calibrate An Oven For Better Baking

Everyone enjoys perfectly baked cookies, cakes and pies but getting to that outcome can sometimes be a challenge. Following the recipe definitely helps, but a properly calibrated oven can be the key for consistent results. Oven calibration is a process where you adjust your oven’s temperature settings to ensure accuracy. This simple process is a great way to make sure you get the results you need when baking or roasting family favorites.

How to calibrate your electric oven

Calibrating your electric oven temp is a relatively simple process whether you have analog or digital temperature control. All you need is an oven thermometer with good accuracy – and a Phillips head screwdriver, if your oven has analog controls.

  1. Place a rack in the center of the oven cavity and center your thermometer on the rack and close the door.

  2. Set the temperature to 350 degrees. Keep the thermometer in the oven during preheating and do not open the door – this could cause inaccurate readings.

  3. Wait for the oven preheat tone to sound, indicating it has come to full temperature. Check the thermometer’s reading through the oven door. If your oven door does not have a window, open the door and quickly check the temperature.

  4. If the oven thermometer shows a reading that is above or below 350 degrees by 15 degrees or more, you will need to calibrate your oven.

An open range with baked pasta and garlic bread inside.

Calibrating electric ovens with analog controls

  1. Remove the oven temperature knob and turn it over. There should be one or two screws on the back of the knob.

  2. If your oven is running hot, turn the screw(s) clockwise. If the oven is running cold, turn the screw(s) counterclockwise. Go slowly and gradually, an eighth of a turn at a time – even a slight turn can result in a large temperature change.

  3. Retest your oven to ensure it reaches the right temperature after calibration. Repeat as necessary.

Calibrating electric ovens with digital controls

  1. Check your owner’s manual to determine how to access your oven’s calibration settings. 

  2. Use the instructions to increase or decrease the temperature as necessary. Some models use arrows to adjust the temperature, while others may use menu prompts.

  3. Save the calibration setting by pressing Start or following the directions in your owner’s manual.

Pepperoni pizza baking in an oven.

How to calibrate a gas oven

Can you calibrate your gas oven if it is running hot or cold? If it has digital controls, it should be able to apply a calibration adjustment in the same way an electric oven does. If it does not, then your gas oven will require a more complicated calibration. Contact a certified service technician for assistance. If you have a Whirlpool® gas oven, you can schedule service here.

What if my oven is very inaccurate?

It does not happen often, but sometimes an oven’s temperature can be off by 100 degrees or more. If that is the case for your oven, do not try to calibrate it yourself. Instead, reach out to a certified technician, explain the issue and schedule service right away.