How to determine the temperature in the oven without a thermometer

Traditionally, in gas stoves made in the USSR, as well as in neighboring countries (Czechoslovakia, Poland), the internal thermometer was calibrated with a division into eight segments. Accordingly, the elements of the scale were designated from 1 to 8, and the question arises of how to determine the temperature in the oven by numbers. Since the maximum temperature in household ovens does not rise above 360 ​​degrees Celsius (on average), you can try to calculate the correspondence of the temperature to the calibration yourself.

• It should only be noted that even with minimal heating (level 1), the heat usually reaches 150 degrees.

• The normal temperature for baking – 200-220 degrees – corresponds to the 4-5 mark, and the acceptable temperature for making biscuits is at the 3 mark.

• The minimum possible heating, suitable for drying meringues or preparing dried fruits and berries, is about 70-90 degrees Celsius and is achieved in conventional stoves only by controlling the gap between the door and the main part of the oven.

More accurate information can be obtained from the product passport, if it has been preserved. However, long-term use can make its own adjustments to the actual heating level. So it is advisable to test it experimentally.

Oven thermometer

For housewives who love to keep everything under control, there has long been an excellent culinary find – an oven thermometer. This item is just intended to measure the temperature inside the oven. The thermometer can be easily fixed in the oven and will allow you to forget about overcooked dishes or, on the contrary, under-baked pastries forever.

Old books on home economics offer a variant of the approximate determination of heating in a gas, electric or wood (coal) stove without a thermometer. For this, a sheet of ordinary writing paper is placed in the place where the baking sheet (frying pan, form, saucepan) with the baked product is usually located. This is done at the moment when the oven has already warmed up, that is, more than 10 minutes have passed since it was turned on. Next, the time of charring of the leaf is monitored, noting the temperature in degrees Celsius:

• 5 seconds – 270-300;

• 15 — 250−270;

• 30 — 230−250;

• 1 minute – over 200;

• 5 minutes – 180-200;

• 10 minutes – less than 180.

When heated below 150 degrees, the paper does not char. So this method is suitable for those who are wondering how to determine the temperature in the oven without a thermometer.

By the way

If you are still going to change the stove and choose between gas and electric, then you need to weigh all the nuances. Electric, of course, is more convenient, it provides uniform heating inside. For this, pastries will be grateful to you, especially capricious biscuits and meringues. A gas oven is much more economical, because gas bills are several times less than electricity. However, there is one more thing: gas stoves can harm health.

And how to make your choice, read HERE. Follow the link to find all the criteria that need to be assessed.