Could it be my oven?

[Ahhhtetley]

I love baking but haven't had much time for it of late. Add that to the fact that my oven went 'pop' at Christmas this year so I bought another, cheap replacement to get us through Christmas.

Anyway, my love for baking has come back, but for the life of me I can't seem to get ANYTHING right. Nothing seems to rise properly, even simple cupcakes, it burns of the top, but also doesn't cook in the middle. I though it was just me for a bit but this keeps happening. The cooker I bought was a very basic, cheapo one, could it be this that's causing my issues?

My old oven used to do this, and it wasn't cheap. It would burn the back of pies/chickens etc which was a real PITA. Is it a smaller oven? It sounds as though it's too hot.

Have you tried using different shelf in the oven - burnt on top before cooked in the middle sounds like the heat is too high.

I find I have to put my gas oven one mark higher than recipes say to get the desire result. I also turn things halfway (though can't with cakes) as the heat doesn't seem even in my oven like Lady said.

Can you try playing around with the heat/shelf settings?

I think it takes a while to get to know your cooker (I know it sounds silly). They all cook differently, some need a lower setting then others, some burn items on one side, it's a real pain, especially when you're use to how your old one works.

Thank you, it is a smaller oven so moving shelves is an idea, i'll give it a go

Also an oven thermometer may help if your dial doesn't match the temperatures inside

That's a great idea, might nip out at lunchtime and get one

Is it a fan or electric oven?