If your new reality has you spending more time at home with your family, you’re likely looking for fun and creative ways to stay connected and entertained. One way to do that is to fill your home with the smell of freshly-baked cookies, banana bread, brownies, or any other edible sweets made from love. This activity is cost-efficient, teaches your kids an important skill, and leads to a greater bond.
If you’re eager to get started, take a look at our tips for baking with your kids.
Also, keep reading after those tips if you want to learn how to make your oven work flawlessly so your baking goods come out perfect every time.
Baking with Kids
Stay Safe
When baking, the most important thing to remember is safety. Between hot surfaces, sharp edges, and raw ingredients, the kitchen can be a dangerous place. Teach your child about these dangers and always have safety measures in place.
Let Your Child Choose the Recipe
Your child will be more likely to be interested in baking if they choose the recipe. We recommend providing them with a few different options to choose from.
Give Them Easy Tasks
Assign your child with age-appropriate tasks, including stirring, measuring, decorating, etc.
Taste Test Together
The best part of baking is the taste testing. Lay out your treat on a special dish, pour a glass of milk, and bring the whole family together to taste test your delicious desert.
Understanding Your Oven Temperature Sensor
To make the best baking goods possible, you need to make sure your oven is working as efficiently as possible.
If you’ve baked a batch of cookies that didn’t turn out quite as you’d hoped, it may be due to your oven or its sensors. Most people have temperature issues because they don’t wait long enough for the preheating cycle. While nothing is more frustrating than having your cookies burnt on the outside and raw on the inside, don’t give up just yet. Here are our tips and tricks to help you make the perfect batch of cookies every time.
Oven Temperature Sensor
Understanding Your Oven Temperature Sensor
When making cookies, many bakers set their oven at a certain temperature (around 350 degrees Fahrenheit) and assume the inside of the oven has reached the exact temperature when the preheating cycle is complete. Electric ovens with a digital display use a sensor to record oven temperature. However, this preheating sensor simply means the thermostat has reached the desired temperature. The rest of the oven takes more time to heat up. Unfortunately, this is a common problem.
In addition, many electric ovens use the broil element during the preheat cycles. If your first batch of cookies is different from your second, third, fourth, etc. your oven is not up to temperature. Fortunately, we have a solution for homeowners who love to bake. For residential 30-inch ranges, we recommend a 30-minute pre-heat time. Higher end products that have thicker steel doors and more insulation will require a 45-minute preheat time. Although thicker doors take longer to reach the desired temperature, they offer more consistency in your food.
Oven Temperature Sensor
How to Test the Accuracy of Your Oven’s Temperature
Ovens typically have built-in indicators that let you know when it’s hot enough. However, variations are common. Plus, many oven thermometers are inaccurate. Before spending money on replacement parts, here is a sure-fire way to determine when and if your oven is reaching the desired temperature.
- Get a freestanding thermometer to monitor the accuracy of the oven’s temperature controls. Instead of opening the oven door to read the thermometer (which causes a big decrease in temperature), turn on your oven light and read the thermometer through the oven door for more accurate results. Check to see if the oven sensor matches your free standing thermometer.
- If you’re a serious baker, use two oven thermometers. Place one at both sides of the middle rack to keep track of hot spot temperatures so you can avoid them.
- Place the oven rack in the center of the oven. Place your thermostat in the middle top to bottom, side to side, and front to back. Set the oven to 350 and let it sit for 90 minutes. Then check temperature for accuracy. If accurate you will know that the issues are the amount of preheat time allotted. If inaccurate most ranges can adjust temperature with key sequenced on the control. Instructions to do this can be found in the owner’s manual. Once you make an adjustment raise the oven temperature 50 degrees and repeat the process until accurate. Most ranges can adjust up or down 35 degrees.
Is it Time to Replace Your Oven?
Depending on how you maintain your oven, it may last anywhere between 20 to 25 years. If you’ve had the appliance for a long time, it may be wise to invest in a newer model rather than tackling a costly repair project.
Oven Repair in Ogden
If your cookies or other baked goods aren’t tasting like your Grandma’s recipe, don’t blame yourself right away. Your oven may have a problem heating to the correct temperature. iFiX has the training, certifications, and skills necessary to work on all styles of gas and electric models. If you notice problems with your oven or your oven temperature sensor, contact iFiX today.
Take a Look at Some of Oven Repair Reviews!
“I can’t say enough good things about Jon and Hayden. They answered my texts right away and fixed a pretty serious problem with my oven within 24 hours. I can’t believe they were able to get the new circuit board so quickly. They fit me into their already full schedule and got me a working oven. Great customer service and super fast scheduling. Thank you!”
— Reviewed by Jenny W. on Yelp
“Jon was great to work with. He returned my call quickly, asked a couple of questions, figured out my problem, ordered the part and after it arrived, fixed my oven quickly. He was incredibly courteous and kept my kitchen clean! He is very knowledgeable about all appliances. I will definitely use him again should the need arise and highly recommend others give him a call!.”
— Reviewed by Shirley T. on Facebook
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