Understanding Temperature Fluctuations

Temperature fluctuations inside Marathon and Epic ovens are normal and expected during operation. These ovens are designed to cycle heating elements on and off to maintain an average temperature over time rather than holding one exact temperature at every moment.

Why Temperature Fluctuations Occur

Once the set temperature is reached, the heating element shuts off. As the temperature drops, the element cycles back on. This process causes natural rises and falls in cavity temperature. Temperature swings of approximately ±25°F (±15°C) around the set temperature are considered normal during baking.
For example, a 350°F setting may cycle between roughly 325°F and 375°F as the oven maintains the target average temperature. Additional factors that influence temperature behavior include:

• Rack position

• Food load (empty vs. full oven)

• Door openings during cooking

Hidden Bake Element

Marathon and Epic ovens use a hidden bake element located beneath the oven floor. Because the element is not exposed directly inside the cavity, heat transfer occurs more gradually. As a result, these ovens may take longer to preheat and stabilize compared to models with exposed bake elements.

This design helps provide:

• More even heat distribution

• Easier cleaning

• Reduced risk of spills contacting the element

Slight temperature fluctuations during operation are normal and expected with this design. This behavior does not indicate a malfunction.

Using an External Thermometer

External oven thermometers can be helpful for gaining a general idea of oven temperature, but they do not provide a fully accurate reading of how the oven regulates heat.

Limitations include:

• Slow response time to temperature changes

• Single-point measurement instead of averaging over time

• Placement sensitivity (rack level, proximity to walls or food)

For this reason, brief temperature spikes or drops shown on an external thermometer are usually normal and do not reflect overall oven performance.

Tips for Best Cooking Results

• Use the center rack unless a recipe specifies otherwise

• Avoid frequent door openings during baking

• Allow the oven to stabilize before evaluating cooking results

• Follow recipe guidance for cookware and rack placement

Marathon and Epic ovens are designed to operate with normal temperature cycling. Fluctuations within expected ranges are part of proper operation and help the oven maintain an accurate average temperature over time. External thermometers can provide guidance but should not be relied upon as a precise indicator of oven performance.