It’s been a year and two days since we moved into this house. And for the entire time the stove/oven has not worked properly. I’ve begged and pleaded with the landlord, the fix it man, the fire department and anyone else who would listen, to get a new one. It wasn’t happenin’ though. We did get some of the burners fixed so that was a start.
We were watching an episode of Good Eats on the Food Network and Alton Brown was talking about an oven thermometer and that we should all have one. That all ovens read differently whether new or old. That it’s the most accurate way to cook in your oven.
So we listened to him, because we’re kind of obsessed with him. We went out and bought one for $7.95 at Sur la Table.
$7.95 was all it took to not have overcooked pork, dry steak, burnt sweet potatoes, undercooked bread and mushy muffins. It was all it took to prevent another meltdown from me wondering WHY I’M SUCH A BAD COOK. I’m not actually, my oven is.
After using the oven thermometer we learned that our oven was about 50 degrees off from the reading on the knob. That’s outrageous.
So, my advice to you, is to invest in an oven thermometer if you need one, want one or if you’re oven doesn’t cook properly. It’s worth it, and it makes me even happier that it’s something that I’ll always have versus spending money on something that will stay in a rental. Plus, it makes you feel all fancy because your breads come out perfectly and your shepherd’s pie is delightful.
P.S. Happy Leap Year!
I was just telling Aly that she needed to get one for the oven in Michigan house….she’s been having issues with her cookies! We have thermometers for the oven, the fridge, the freezer!!
We need to get a fridge and freezer one too!