Oven Temp

greyc

We have a Belling built in oven which is about 15 years old. Recently I noticed that it seemed to be taking longer to heat up so I bought an oven thermometer just to check and see what the difference might be.

I was really surprised to note that when the light went out on the oven at 200c, the oven therm was only showing 140c. No matter how long I left the oven on it never got above 170c. Is it possible that the oven thermometer could be wrong or is it likely that after 15 years the oven is on the way out.

I don't want to buy a new oven and find that the difference in temps remain the same.

whizbang

Yep, its more than likely the oven internal sensor is wrong, But....

I presume the external thermometer you bought was reading 140, when the light went off at 200?

As you noticed, it is a time thing also.
The external sensor is reading the air temperature, but the oven sensor is probably fixed to one of the sides with a heating element near it.

I wouldn't worry about it too much, just add another 30 to the dial.

I suppose the real test is, does it still cook properly?

The Red Ace

with a 15 year old oven there is a good chance that there is wear in the fan motor and it is down on revs, and I would think the most likely problem. there are no sensors , temp is controlled by a good old fashioned capillary thermostat

greyc

Thanks for the replies. I suppose it still does cook ok, but just seems to take a lot longer to heat up and for the light to go out at 200c, which according to the oven thermometer is only 140c, however it doesn't seem to take that much longer to cook say chicken breast or pork fillet.

We're going to replace our hob shortly as its badly cracked and I was thinking of replacing the oven at the same time, but I don't really want to spend money on a new oven, only to find that the same discrepancy between temps is still present.