How do you tell if the oven is preheated to the correct temperature?

1. Turn off the oven and unplug it from the electrical outlet.
2. Locate the thermostat dial inside the oven.
3. Using a small screwdriver, turn the thermostat dial to the desired temperature setting (e.g. 550°F).
4. Plug in the oven and turn it on.
5. Allow the oven to preheat to the set temperature for 15-20 minutes.
6. Place an oven thermometer in the center of the oven to verify the actual temperature.
7. If the oven temperature is still not correct, repeat steps 2-6, adjusting the thermostat dial as necessary.

It's important to note that some models may require a professional to calibrate the oven thermostat,

If the temperature sensor is within range, (how you tested it is not clear) then maybe it has been moved slightly and not in the correct place within the oven cavity.

What you have is an ignition problem get this corrected before you experience a delayed ignition, the hot surface ignitor pulls enough amps 3-3.4 to power up and open the gas valve but ignition did not take place reason you smell gas don't know how old unit is ignitor may be weak good on draws 3-3.5 amps burner ports may be dirty or the bracket that the ignitor mounts too may have bowed away from the burner

It sounds like you may have a Whirlpool gas range. If so it is more that likely the burner assembly itself. The electrode attached to the burner gets to where it will light during the preheat but then once it starts to cycle the spark module tries three times to light the burner and then shuts down. the burner assembly comes as one unit with the electrode attached.

You can get the manual for the RGB745 at the GE Appliances support site: http://www.geappliances.com/service_and_support/literature/ . Enter the model number in the search box. There are several models that start with RGB745.

On most of the Hotpoint ovens for regular baking, press Bake and use the + or - buttons to set the desired oven temperature. Then press Start/On. Then the oven will display Pre as it re-heats. When the thermostat indicates the desired temperature is reached, the oven will beep. The racks should be on the middle positions for most baking. (For roasting use the lowest positions.) Put the food in when the oven is done preheating. When done, press Clear/Off. Timed baked requires the clock be set correctly, then set the start and end times.

For the older ovens with dials to control the oven, set the first dial to Bake and the second to the desired temperature. Wait at least 10 minutes for the oven to preheat. Again put the oven racks in the middle of the oven for most baking.

Do not lock the oven latch and keep the oven closed through the baking cycle as much as possible. (Rotating pans and basting steps should be done quickly so that the oven doesn't cool much.)

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Replace the glowbar ignitor in the oven. Turn off the gas supply. Remove the oven racks. Remove the base pan in the oven to access the ignitor. Most plug in. Some have wire nuts.
Your local appliance parts store will need the model number or the ignitor for a correct replacement.

Always preheat your oven and let it cycle at least 2 times. Your unit may show 350 but the manufactures know that it is not 350. When it registers preheated, it really means that it is at an acceptable temperature to start cooking. If you think that it may not be calibrated correctly, your owner's manual will have instructions on how to recalibrate your oven. You will be able to raise or lower the temperature by + 25 degrees or - 25 degrees. As far as the gas smell, you will from time to time smell a gas smell with a gas oven especially if you are right at it when it ignites. If you are smelling gas when it is not in use then you should be extremely concerned.

http://www.applianceaid.com/nuker.html
click the link  Oven temp sensors sense the temperature is the oven cavity and the temp sensor changes resistance, this change in ohm resistance tells the oven control what temperature the oven cavity at and tells the control to shut off the element or turn it back on. The most common temp sensors used today ( *not all ) are approx 1000-1100 ohm resistance at room temperature ( 70�F )
Some ohm readings and there temperature:
Degrees F    -   Resistance
            100 - 1143 ohms
             200 - 1350 ohms
             300 - 1553 ohms
             350 - 1654 ohms
             400 - 1753 ohms
            500 - 1949 ohms


click this link
http://www.applianceaid.com/elecrange.html

Cold Stove, you may not be able to. The issue here is that oven manufactures put on their units a fast preheat. However it isn't possible to preheat an oven for 7 to 9 minutes and bake short time bake items properly. Also the oven sensor will respond faster than the absorbation rate of the sheet metal in the oven liner. To preheat an oven properly takes 15 to 20 minutes before putting in the food. I see this will a lot of current ovens. Sounds like a normal format of the control.

Yup...I believe this may have been an issue with some GE models. I seem to remember a problem where some models had problems staying lit after preheating. The fix was replacing the oven thermostat. Now...the normal cycle for an oven lighting is just what you described. The glow igniter will glow first, followed by the gas valve opening, followed by ignition. Once the oven reaches optimum temperature it is normal for the gas to shut off and come back on to maintain oven temperature. However, if this is going on in a frequent fashion with the oven never getting warm, your guess is probably a correct one. Good luck to you.