How to Troubleshoot Uneven Baking and Temperature Accuracy

Few things are more frustrating than taking a cake out of the oven and finding one side overbaked while the other is still raw. Uneven baking and poor oven temperature accuracy are common issues that affect both new and old appliances. The good news? Most causes are easy to identify and fix without professional help.

In this guide, we’ll explain the most likely reasons for uneven results, how to test whether your oven is heating correctly, and the simple adjustments that can restore consistency. By the end, you’ll be able to spot problems quickly and improve the accuracy of your cooking and baking.

Why Your Oven May Cause Uneven Baking

Uneven baking usually comes down to how heat is distributed inside your oven. Even small problems can lead to one part of your dish cooking faster than another. Here are the most common causes:

Hot spots in the oven cavity can make one side of your bake brown faster. Conventional ovens without fans often struggle with circulation, meaning some shelves cook hotter than others. If the door seal is worn, valuable heat can escape and reduce consistency.

Shelf position also plays a role. Cakes baked too high may dry out, while trays placed too low may end up soggy on the bottom. Finally, if your oven’s thermostat is inaccurate, the set temperature won’t match the actual heat, leaving recipes unreliable.

How to Test Oven Temperature Accuracy

Your oven’s display may not always reflect the true internal temperature. To check for accuracy, place an oven thermometer inside the cavity before preheating. Set the oven to a standard cooking temperature such as 180°C and allow it to heat fully.

Once preheated, compare the thermometer reading with the setting on your oven. Repeat this process at a higher temperature, for example 200°C, to see if the difference is consistent.

A small variation of around ±10–15°C is normal, but if the gap is wider, your oven may need recalibration or repair. Recording the differences can also help you adjust recipes more accurately in the meantime.

How to Check for Hot Spots in Your Oven

Even if your oven reaches the correct temperature, heat may not spread evenly inside the cavity. A simple way to test for hot spots is the bread-slice method.

Place slices of white bread evenly across a baking tray and position it in the centre of the oven. Bake for around 5–10 minutes, then remove the tray and check how each slice has browned.

If some slices are much darker than others, your oven has areas that run hotter. Knowing where these spots are helps you adjust placement or rotate trays during cooking for more consistent results.

Fixes for Uneven Baking

Once you know whether your oven runs hot or has uneven spots, you can adapt how you cook to achieve better results. Small changes often make a big difference.

Rotate trays halfway through cooking so all sides receive equal heat. Always preheat the oven fully before adding food, as starting too early can cause underbaking. Avoid overcrowding the shelves, since this blocks airflow and leads to soggy or pale results.

Shelf position matters too: cakes and delicate bakes usually do best in the middle, while pizzas and roasts often benefit from lower shelves. If you find your oven struggles with circulation, using a fan-assisted setting (if available) can help spread heat more evenly across the cavity.

Calibrating or Adjusting Your Oven

If your oven consistently runs too hot or too cool, recalibrating the thermostat can help bring it back in line. Some models allow you to adjust the temperature settings directly through the control panel or user menu.

If the discrepancy is large, it may be due to a faulty sensor or heating element. In this case, professional servicing is recommended to restore accuracy. For older ovens without digital adjustment options, you can often compensate by manually raising or lowering the temperature setting when following recipes.

Checking your user manual is the best way to find out whether your appliance supports recalibration, and how to do it safely.

Maintenance Tips to Keep Accuracy High

Regular care keeps your oven performing at its best and reduces the chance of uneven cooking. A build-up of grease or food debris can block airflow or affect how heat is distributed around the cavity.

Clean the oven and fan regularly, paying attention to vents that may become obstructed. Inspect the door seal and replace it if you notice cracks or gaps that allow heat to escape. Avoid slamming the door, as this can loosen fittings and affect alignment over time.

With these simple checks, your oven is more likely to maintain consistent temperatures and deliver reliable results across all types of cooking.

When It’s Time for a Replacement

Sometimes uneven baking is a sign that your oven has reached the end of its useful life. If temperature checks show large discrepancies that can’t be corrected, or if heating elements repeatedly fail, replacement may be the most practical option.

Ovens that still leave food unevenly cooked after you’ve rotated trays, calibrated the thermostat, and checked the seal are usually beyond simple fixes. Excessive energy use and rising running costs are further signs to upgrade.

Modern fan-assisted and convection ovens are designed to minimise hot spots and provide more reliable results, making them a worthwhile investment if you cook regularly.

Final Thoughts

Uneven baking doesn’t always mean your oven is failing – most of the time it’s down to small issues that can be corrected with simple checks and adjustments. From using an oven thermometer to rotating trays and maintaining the door seal, each step helps bring more consistency to your cooking.

If problems persist despite troubleshooting, it may be time to consider a replacement. A modern oven with fan assistance can transform your results and make baking more enjoyable.

For more practical tips, explore our oven guides and learn how to get the very best out of your appliance.