Food browns unevenly.
Section Four: Using the Oven
SOLVING BAKING PROBLEMS
Improper heating.
• Preheat until the word HEAT turns off.
Aluminum foil on oven rack or oven bottom.
• Remove foil.
Baking utensil too large for the recipe.
• Use correct size utensil.
Several utensils crowded together.
• Leave at least 1-inch or more of space around all utensils and oven walls.
Baking utensil too large for the recipe.
• Use correct size utensil.
Baking Problems
Cause/Remedies
Utensil small or shallow.
• Use correct size pan. Measure pans across the top, from inside to inside; also
measure depth. To measure an odd shaped pan, fill pan with water. Measure
the water, use 1/2 that measurement of batter.
Incorrect pan size. Incorrect time.
• Use correct size pan for recipe. Be certain to use the correct time for the
recommended pan size.
Outdated mix.
• Replace package mix. (Date the packages when you bring them home.)
Using too low a rack position.
• Raise the rack to a higher position.
Pans too deep. (A jelly roll pan, with a lip around all sides, is not
recommended for cookies.)
• Use a cookie sheet (this is a flat utensil with a small turned up edge at one
end).
Cookie sheet too large to allow proper circulation.
• Use smaller size cookie sheet.
Cookie sheet dark or dull.
• Use a light, shiny cookie sheet.
Oven temperature too high.
• Lower temperature.
Using too low a rack position.
• Raise the rack to a higher position.
Cake has coarse texture.
Cakes pale, flat and shrunken.
Not done inside or on top.
Cookies too brown on bottom.
Foods dry out before brown-
ing.
Oven door opened too frequently.
• Use Minute TIMER as a reminder to check food at minimum time.
Baking utensil dark, dented, warped or glass. Oven temperature too
high.
• Lower oven temperature 25˚F for this type of utensil or use a pan with a
shiny, reflective finish.
Oven temperature too low.
• Raise oven temperature.
Food too brown on bottom or
forms a crust.
In any mode, poor results can occur for many reasons other than the oven’s malfunction. Check the
chart below for causes and remedies of the most common problems. Since the size, shape and material
of the utensils directly affect the results, the best solution may be to replace the utensils that have
darked and warped with age. Check the Cooking Guide for correct utensils and placement.
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