When it comes to baking something in the oven, accuracy is essential, as it can mean the difference between a perfectly cooked chicken and a bird that’s still raw in the middle. Unfortunately, not all ovens are 100% precise; the digital screen may not align with the actual temperature inside. But fear not, because science…
Aluminum Foil to the Rescue
This hack comes to us from the TikTok account (@museumofscience) of The Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts. While it may seem like an experiment straight out of high school science class, it’s a simple yet effective way to gauge your oven’s accuracy. All you’ll need is some aluminum foil and granulated white sugar.
To start, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it heats, tear off a sheet of aluminum foil and form two small, square-shaped pans with raised edges. They should be 2 to 3 inches square, or roughly the size of a Post-it note. Then fill each pan with 1 tablespoon of granulated white sugar.
At this point, you might be wondering, “Why sugar?” Sugar contains a chemical compound called sucrose, which caramelizes at 367 degrees Fahrenheit. By setting the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, you can determine if it’s running warm. Once you’ve figured that out, set the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for a second test to see if it’s running cold.
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What the Sugar Test Reveals
Once the oven reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit, carefully place one sugar-filled aluminum pan inside for 15 minutes. (If you’re concerned about it falling through the oven rack, you can use a larger sheet of aluminum foil underneath.) Take the pan out when the time is up. At this point, the sugar should still be as white as it was 15 minutes ago; if it’s brown, your oven is likely running hot. Next, set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it reaches that temperature, place the second sugar-filled aluminum pan inside for an additional 15 minutes. This time, the sugar should be brown when you take it out, as 375 degrees Fahrenheit is above sugar’s caramelization point. If it’s still white, chances are your oven is running cold.
Let’s summarize the results. If the sugar retains its white color at 350 degrees Fahrenheit but browns at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, then your oven is probably calibrated just fine. However, if the pans stay white at both temperatures, your oven’s internal temperature is cooler than what’s listed on the digital screen. Conversely, if both pans of sugar burn, your oven is hotter than what the digital thermometer claims. If something seems amiss, contact an expert repair technician. Otherwise, you can rest easy knowing that your appliance is working accurately.
