If you have plans to prepare a Thanksgiving feast for your loved ones this year, you’ll need to make sure that your oven is ready for the task. It’s one of the most crucial appliances to check this season—without it, your turkey, baked goods, and sides may not bake to perfection. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to make sure your oven is prepared for the big day.

How to Prepare Your Over for The Holidays

1. Check the Seal

A weak oven door seal can cause your food to cook improperly or to take longer than anticipated to heat. You may not realize that’s the problem until you turn on the oven and run your hand around the perimeter. If you detect heat, an appliance repair professional can easily replace the seal so your food doesn’t take longer than necessary to cook.

2. Clean It Thoroughly

There are several ways to clean the oven. If you have a self-cleaning feature, you might be tempted to use it; however, avoid using that feature until after the holidays. That’s because the oven’s temperature will elevate while it cleans, which could lead to a circuitry failure. If that happens, your oven service professional can resolve the problem. But if the holiday is inching closer, it’s best to manually clean the oven using a mild cleaning solution and a sponge.

3. Test the Temperature

You’ve replaced the worn seal and cleaned it properly. Now it’s ready to go—but before Thanksgiving arrives, it’s best to be sure that the oven is heating properly. Place an oven thermometer in a spot where you can monitor the temperature from the outside. Preheat it to 375 degrees and jot down the temperature on the thermometer. Wait 20 minutes and take another reading. Do the same a couple more times. The average of your four readings divided by three should fall between 350 and 400 degrees. If your oven doesn’t average between those temperatures, have an appliance repair expert inspect the unit, as it could be a sign of a faulty oven.

If you’re ready to prepare a big meal for Thanksgiving, it’s time to make sure your oven is up to the job. The experts at Carolina Appliance Service are proud to serve households throughout Mecklenburg County, NC, and can work on almost any brand. Offering everything from repairs to replacement parts, these professionals have everything that is needed to prepare your appliances for the holiday season. To schedule a maintenance appointment, call 704) 847-0004 or visit their website to see their services.