Oven not cooking evenly? Experts share six common causes and how to fix them

On November 26, 2024By Pranco

Your oven or electric range is one of the most essential appliances in your kitchen. If it doesn’t function properly, it can become a real neck pain. If your oven doesn’t cook evenly, you may be tempted to throw it away and buy a better model, or even a gas stove! However, in many cases you can solve the problem quickly and easily, saving you both time and money.

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

How do you know if your oven isn’t cooking evenly?

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

If you think your oven isn’t cooking your food evenly, there are several signs to look for. First, uneven browning may indicate that the oven is not functioning properly. “Baked goods can be darker on one side and pale on the other,” says Andy Shu, repair expert at Appliances ZapFixers. “I once helped a customer who baked cakes as a side business. She noticed that one side of her cake was getting darker. After some troubleshooting, we discovered that her oven’s heating element was worn out in one section, causing a temperature imbalance.”

Your food may also show hot or cold spots. “Some parts of the oven cook faster than others,” explains Rocky Vuong, founder of the Dallas, Texas-based cleaning company Netbrite. “If you find yourself turning the baking sheets halfway through baking for even results, this is a sign of uneven cooking.”

And your food may take more or less time to cook than specified in a recipe. “If recipes don’t turn out as expected, and the food is undercooked or overcooked, this could indicate uneven heating,” Shu warns. According to Moniqueca Sims from SSG Appliance Academy“If the same problem occurs with several recipes, this is a very good indication of isolated and consistent over- or undercooking in your oven.”

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

Possible reasons why your oven is not cooking evenly

Knowing the signs that your oven isn’t cooking evenly is just the beginning. You need to find out what is causing the problem so that you can resolve the problem and get your furnace working properly again as quickly as possible. Here are some reasons suggested by our experts.

1. Defective heating elements

vegetables roasting in an oven

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

A malfunctioning heating element can cause uneven cooking if you have an electric oven. “The top or bottom element can burn out over time,” Shu explains. Check for signs of wear (such as blisters or cracks) on the heating elements and be aware that there may be a hidden element that is preventing your oven from functioning properly.

2. Problems with the temperature sensor

burnt muffins being taken out of an oven

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Your oven’s temperature settings ensure that your food is cooked at the correct temperature. But sometimes the sensor is not positioned correctly, so it cannot accurately determine the temperature in the oven.

Problems with the temperature sensors can lead to unevenly cooked food. “If the sensor in the oven is defective, it cannot regulate the heat properly,” Shu explains.

3. Damaged door seal

Broken oven seal

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If the oven door is not properly sealed, heat can escape from the oven. As Shu explains, “Heat escapes through a worn or torn door gasket, 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 keep opening the oven to check on the food, it also lets heat escape, which affects cooking times.

4. Blocked 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 is not working properly, your food will cook unevenly. “If the fan is blocked or not working, air circulation is compromised,” Shu explains.

Check the fan by turning it manually when the oven has completely cooled. If the problem does not occur, you will probably need to call an appliance repair specialist to fix it.

5. Stretching in the wrong position

Someone takes a loaf of bread out of the oven while wearing oven mitts

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

It could be that your racks are simply in the wrong position for even baking, especially if you’re not familiar with the oven. Shu says, “(The) placement of the racks can cause uneven heating, especially when baking multiple dishes.”

Test different rack positions to see if they help you cook more evenly. If the food in the top rack tends to burn, try lowering it to see if that helps.

6. Dirty oven

Dirty oven

(Image credit: Future)

A dirty oven can affect its operation. Vuong states, “Fat and food buildup can affect heat distribution.” Food build-ups can reduce the heating efficiency of the appliance and damage the oven.

Clean your oven regularly or after spills to prevent uneven cooking.

Do you need to repair or replace an oven that isn’t cooking evenly?

oven open in a wooden kitchen

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If your oven isn’t cooking evenly, you might be tempted to throw it away and buy a new one. But that’s not always the best course of action. If the problem is as simple as the racks being in the wrong position or the oven being excessively dirty, it is easy to address these issues and keep the appliance you have. But sometimes it might be better to replace your oven.

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

Another factor is the cost of repairing the furnace compared to the cost of replacing it. “If repair costs exceed 50% of the price of a new furnace, consider replacing,” Vuong advises. Sims agrees: “If the cost of one or more maintenance visits per year approaches (or possibly exceeds) half of the cost of purchasing a completely new furnace,” she says it’s time to replace it.

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

Finally, consider the efficiency of your furnace. “Newer ovens are often more energy efficient, which saves you money on your energy bill,” Vuong explains. This alone could be a reason to throw out your old oven in favor of a newer, more efficient model.