Oven not cooking evenly? Experts Share 6 Common Causes and How to Fix Them

Your oven or electric cooker is one of the most essential appliances in your kitchen. If it doesn’t work properly, it can become a real headache. If your oven isn’t cooking evenly, you might be tempted to throw it out and buy a better model, or even a gas stove! However, in many cases you can resolve the problem quickly and easily, saving you time and money.

We reached out to three appliance experts to tell you why your oven isn’t cooking evenly, the most likely causes of the problem, and when to consider replacing your oven rather than paying for repairs.

How to Tell if Your Oven Is Not Cooking Evenly

Oven in a white kitchen — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you think your oven is not cooking your food evenly, there are several signs to look for. First, uneven browning may indicate an oven that is not working properly. “Baked goods may be darker on one side and pale on the other,” says Andy Shu, appliance repair expert at ZapFixers. “One day, I helped a customer who was baking cakes on the side. She noticed that one side of her cake was consistently darker. After some troubleshooting, we found that the heating element in his oven was worn in one section, causing a temperature imbalance.

Your food may also have hot or cold spots. “Certain areas of the oven cook faster than others,” says Rocky Vuong, founder of a cleaning company based in Dallas, Texas. Neatbrite. “If you turn the sheets halfway through cooking to get even results, this is a sign of uneven cooking.”

And your food may take more or less time to cook than indicated in a recipe. “If recipes don’t turn out as expected, with undercooked or overcooked foods, this could indicate uneven heating,” warns Shu. According to Moniqueca Sims of SSG Home Appliance Academy“If the same problem occurs with multiple recipes, then that’s a very good indication of isolated, consistent overcooking or undercooking in your oven.”

Finally, you may notice that your food is burnt on the edges but undercooked or raw in the middle. This is another sign that your oven is not cooking evenly.

Potential reasons why your oven is not cooking evenly

Knowing the signs that your oven isn’t cooking evenly is just the beginning. You will need to find out the cause of the problem so you can fix it and get your oven working properly as soon as possible. Here are some reasons suggested by our experts.

1. Defective heating elements

roasted vegetables in an oven

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A malfunctioning heating element could cause uneven cooking if you have an electric oven. “The top or bottom element can burn out over time,” says Shu. Check the heating elements for signs of wear (like blisters or breaks) and be aware that there may be a hidden element causing your oven to malfunction.

2. Temperature sensor problems

burnt muffins from an oven

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Your oven’s temperature settings ensure that your food is cooked to the correct temperature. But sometimes the sensor is not positioned correctly and therefore cannot accurately determine the temperature inside the oven.

Problems with temperature sensors can cause food to cook unevenly. “If the sensor inside the oven is faulty, it won’t regulate the heat properly,” says Shu.

3. Damaged door seal

Broken oven gasket

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If the oven door is not properly sealed, heat may escape from the oven. As Shu explains: “Heat escapes through a worn or torn door seal, making it difficult for the oven to maintain a consistent temperature. »

Check your door seal to see if you notice any damage. And while it’s tempting to continually open your oven to check on food, this also lets heat escape, affecting cooking times.

4. Clogged or broken fan

Interior of an oven

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A convection oven uses a fan to distribute heat evenly throughout the appliance, but if the fan isn’t working properly, your food will cook unevenly. “If the fan is blocked or not working, air circulation is compromised,” says Shu.

Check the fan by turning it manually when the oven has completely cooled. If it resists, you will probably need to call an appliance repair specialist to repair it.

5. Racks in the wrong position

Someone removes a loaf of bread from the oven while wearing oven mitts

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Your racks might simply be in the wrong position for even cooking, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the oven. Shu explains: “(The) location of the racks can cause uneven heating, especially when cooking multiple dishes. »

Experiment with different rack positions to see if they help even out your cooking. If the food on the upper rack burns frequently, try turning it down to see if that helps.

6. Dirty oven

Dirty oven

(Image credit: Future)

A dirty oven can affect its operation. Vuong says: “Grease and food accumulation can affect heat distribution. » Food buildup can reduce the heating efficiency of the appliance and damage the oven.

Clean your oven frequently or after a spill to avoid uneven cooking.

Should you repair or replace an oven that isn’t cooking evenly?

open oven in a wooden kitchen

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When your oven doesn’t cook evenly, you might be tempted to scrap it and buy a new one. But this is not always the best solution. If the problem is as simple as the racks being positioned incorrectly or the oven being excessively dirty, it’s easy to fix these problems and keep the appliance you own. But sometimes it may be best to replace your oven.

One consideration is the age of your oven. Vuong explains: “If the oven is more than 10 to 15 years old, replacing it might be more cost-effective in the long run. » Also consider how often your oven breaks down and requires repairs. “If multiple components fail, it is more cost-effective to upgrade to a newer model,” advises Shu.

Another factor is the cost of repairing the furnace versus the cost of replacing it. “If the repair cost exceeds 50% of the price of a new oven, consider replacing it,” recommends Vuong. Sims agrees: “When the costs of maintaining one or more times a year approach (or perhaps exceed) half the cost of purchasing a completely new oven,” she says it’s time to replace it.

If your oven doesn’t have the features you want, buying a new one might be the best option. “If your oven doesn’t have features like convection cooking, air frying, or steam cleaning, an upgrade might be worth it,” says Shu.

Finally, consider the efficiency of your oven. “Newer ovens are often more energy efficient, saving you money on your utility bills,” says Vuong. This alone could be a reason to ditch your old oven in favor of a newer, more efficient model.