There was a time when, despite all the love and attention I poured into my pastries, a recurrent failure tarnished some attempts, notably macarons; they would come out of the oven with a texture and consistency far from the expected ideal. It was by delving into the subject a bit that I had a revelation: my oven, despite its supposed precision, did not radiate as exact a heat as indicated on the screen. Thus, my path crossed that of the oven thermometer, this surprisingly vital tool in pastry making.
The Crucial Utility of the Thermometer
Cooking, particularly pastry making, sometimes resembles a form of science. Take macarons for example: when they are prepared with potato protein, cooking at a precise temperature of 150 degrees is imperative. Not 130, nor 170, but indeed 150 degrees. Precision is therefore required but alas it is not often the case.
Unless you own a professional or very high-end oven, it is common to notice a discrepancy between the temperature displayed by your oven and the reality inside of it. And the temperature can even vary during cooking…
That’s where our ally, the oven thermometer, comes in. Where the quality of your oven may let you down, the thermometer steps in to ensure flawless cooking.
Valuable Information
There are various types of oven thermometers, each model having its own advantages. Some probe thermometers are planted directly into the food, as is sometimes the case with sugar being heated in a pan to make, for example, salted butter caramel. However, in the context of oven baking, especially for delicate preparations like macarons, a thermometer model designed to stay in place throughout the entire cooking process is essential.
These devices, meant to monitor the oven temperature continuously, can vary in price, but a good model is generally around 15 euros.
User Manual
The thermometer, depending on its type, can be placed directly on the tray or grid, or even be hung using a hook head. Generally made of stainless material, it ensures appreciable durability and ease of cleaning. Ensure to check it regularly in order to adjust the oven temperature if necessary to ensure perfect cooking for your preparations.
And voilà, thanks to this little technological marvel, no more failed macarons and overcooked cakes! Mastering the temperature is now within reach, making you the undisputed chef of your kitchen. Personally, discovering the usefulness of the oven thermometer was a true revelation, forever changing my pastry-making ways.
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