Oven And Cooker Temperatures

External Temperatures

It is only to be expected that when your oven is in use, the outside of your oven will warm up as well.  It depends on the quality of the oven you have purchased quite how warm the external temperature can be.  If you have young children, it is a good idea to check this out with your retailer at the time of purchase.  You will obviously wish to avoid any appliance that could burn a small child’s hand if they happen to come into contact with the oven when in use.

The British Standards state that a glass or metal control panel is still safe if it reaches 60 Deg C above room temperature, or enamel can be 65 Deg C above room temperature.  Average room temperature is about 20 Deg C, so you are looking at external temperatures of up to 85 Deg C – pretty high, especially when little fingers are around.

60 Deg C above ambient temperature is also set for plastic control knobs and handles, and glass oven doors.  The metal door handle is allowed to be 35 Deg C above room temperature.

Over heating

If your oven is working efficiently and not burning your food during cooking, there is probably nothing to worry about.  If you have noticed scorch marks on the cabinets around the oven, this probably indicates that the oven has been incorrectly installed.

The manufacturer’s handbook will provide clear installation instructions, and it is very important that these instructions are followed.  Main problem is generally insufficient air gaps have been allowed between the oven and adjacent cabinets.  If this is the case, it should be rectified immediately, if not, further damage will be caused and you may be negating your Warranty.

For your information, Under British Standards, kitchen cabinets should be able to withstand temperatures of up to 100 Deg C.

From the above you can see that it is really important to buy the best appliance you possibly can, ask all the right questions and ensure your oven contains a cooling fan.

Technical Information

Temperature TestingElectric ovens are measured in accordance with the European British standard EN60335-2-6. If you wish to check the temperatures of your oven, the following may be of assistance:

• Preheat oven to 200 Deg C, depending on the height of the oven different temperatures apply  For either free standing or built under ovens below 850 mm from the floor, 

temperature limits are as follows: 

• Metal and painted metal 45 Deg C, plus ambient temperature
• Vitreous enamel 50 Deg C, plus ambient
• Glass and ceramic 60 Deg C, plus ambient
• Plastic 80 Deg C, plus ambient

Free standing cookers and built-in ovens above 850 mm from the floor

• Fan ovens to be heated to a temperature of 220 Deg C
• Conventional ovens heated to a temperature of 240 Deg C
• Grills are to be run for 30 minutes.  If power input can be adjusted, heat on full power for 15 minutes and 15 minutes at 50%Temperature limits for control knobs and handles, will need to have ambient temperature added on:
• Metal and painted metal 35 Deg C
• Plastic knobs with metallic coating are classed  as metal
• Vitreous enamel 45 Deg C
• Plastic 60 Deg C
• Vitreous enamel metal 65 Deg C
• Glass and ceramic 80 Deg C
• Plastic 100 Deg C

Gas Ovens are measured in accordance with European British Standard EN30-1-1

Front and Side accidental touch

Test Conditions:

• Oven is run for 60 minutes at 200 Deg C central oven temperature
• Grills are not tested if they are run as open door grilling
• Closed door grilling is operated for the last 30 minutes with the control set according to the maximum in the user instructions, and turned down to 50% for the last 15 minutes

Temperature limits all must add on ambient temperature:

• Metal and painted metal 60 Deg C
• Vitreous enamel metal 65 Deg C
• Glass and Ceramic 80 Deg C
• Plastic 100 Deg CMetal and painted metal 35 Deg C
• Vitreous enamel metal 45 Deg C

All these temperature limits sound very high, but with normal usage and care should not cause you unnecessary risks.  Bear in mind that children should not be allowed to come into contact with either an electric or gas appliance when in use without adult supervision.

As mentioned in this article, it is one of the appliances that should not be skimped on, and even if your budget does not run to the most expensive models, do plenty of research, speak to people, check on line, ask the questions.  If the sales person in your retail outlet is not sufficiently qualified to give you the answers you need, just vote with your feet and find one that does.

Always purchase through a reputable company, whether on line or on the high street and make sure there is plenty of after sales service available to help you through any teething problems you and your oven may have in getting to know each other.