Commercial ovens play an important role when it comes to maintaining quality and consistency. It is often the case where ovens need calibration to perform at their optimum. It is a simple process that is often overlooked, influencing the quality of the cooked food. So, if you own a commercial oven and observe that it needs calibration, you will need to take a look at some tips that will help improve its performance before considering commercial oven repair.
How To Calibrate An Electric Oven?
Calibrating an electric oven is a simple process whether you have digital or analog temperature control. All you need to calibrate your oven is a good oven thermometer with good accuracy along with a Philips head screwdriver in case your oven comes with analog controls.
To begin with, keep a thermometer on a rack in the middle section of the oven and shut its door. Set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and make sure to not open the door. Plus, do not touch or move the thermometer as it could lead to inaccurate readings.
Wait for the oven to inform you that it has reached the set temperature and check the reading on the thermometer through the oven door. If the door does not come with a window, you should quickly open the door to check the temperature and close it. If the temperature reading of the thermometer is off 15 degrees or more from 350, then you should calibrate your oven.
Calibrating Electric Ovens With Analog Controls
To perform calibration on these ovens, remove the control knob and locate one or two screws at the back of the knob. Now, you should check if the oven is hot or cold. In case the oven is running hot, you should turn the screw clockwise. But if it is running cold, you should turn it counterclockwise. Make sure that you turn slowly as sudden and quick turns can result in a large temperature change.
Then, repeat the process of placing the thermometer and set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If there is still some calibration needed, repeat the process.
Calibrating Electric Ovens With Digital Controls
For calibrating these ovens, you will need to use the manual to access the calibration settings. Use the appropriate buttons to adjust the temperature. Then, click “Start” to confirm the settings or follow the directions in the manual.
How To Calibrate A Gas Oven?
If your commercial gas oven comes with digital controls, you might be able to calibrate it just like electric ovens. But if it doesn’t, the calibration process for them may be complicated. You will need to contact a professional in this case, as playing around with a gas oven can be dangerous.
However, if you wish to check the accuracy of your oven’s temperature, perform a similar process. Place a rack in the center of the oven and hang a thermometer on it. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Most oven thermometers are hung vertically so users can easily see the temperature without opening the door. If you are not able to do so, quickly open the door and check the reading. Find out if the oven is over or underheating.
How Often Will My Oven Need Calibration?
Ovens rarely require calibration. It could be due to some repairs or replacements performed by a professional leading to inaccurate settings. Even though calibrating such kitchen appliances is a basic protocol but often ignored. If your oven is not calibrated, you will simply end up burning or wasting food. This will halt your business and force customers to look for other options.
Therefore, if you feel or observe that the food prepared in the oven is not according to the standard, you will need to get it calibrated. But if calibration does not solve the issue, you might be looking at a more complicated problem.
Final Word
Calibrating commercial electric ovens is not rocket science but calibrating commercial gas ovens is. The primary reason is due to the fact that commercial gas ovens utilize gas, which is dangerous. That said, you are free to identify inaccurate temperature readings but when it comes to calibration, you should hire a commercial appliances repair Fairfax technician.
