With Christmas Day fast approaching, households across the UK are preparing to cook the all-important festive feast. However, a DIY expert has issued a stark warning that forgetting one crucial kitchen task could lead to disaster, leaving hosts 'in tears' and offering 'silly amounts of money' for a last-minute fix.
The Festive Fault That Could Ruin Your Roast
According to the TikTok DIY specialist known as @fixitwithfraz, who has over 15,400 followers, he receives a flood of desperate phone calls every Christmas from people in a panic. The problem stems from using parts of your kitchen appliances that have been left dormant for months.
The expert explains that when hosting for larger groups, people often need to use different functions, spare ovens, grills, or extra hob rings they don't normally touch. If these elements haven't been used for a long time, they can deteriorate. The consequence of switching them all on at once for the big dinner? It can trip the electrics, causing the entire system to shut down.
"They've turned everything on to use... and the whole machine shuts down so they're left with literally trying to do Christmas dinner on one little oven," he said in his video, urging people to act immediately.
How to Test Your Oven Before the Big Day
To avoid a culinary catastrophe, it's essential to run a full check of your oven and hob now, while there's still time to call a professional if needed. Here are some key methods recommended by experts:
Thermometer Test: Place an oven thermometer on the centre rack. Preheat to 175°C (350°F) and let it run for 20-30 minutes after preheating finishes. Check if the reading matches the dial.
Heating Element Check (Electric Ovens): Set your oven to bake or broil. Both the top and bottom elements should glow red. If one doesn't, it may be faulty.
Gas Igniter Check: For gas ovens, watch the igniter when you turn it on. It should glow brightly and light the gas within about 90 seconds.
The Simple Biscuit Test: Bake a batch of simple biscuits or a tray of ready-made cookie dough. If they brown too fast, too slow, or unevenly, your oven's temperature is likely inaccurate.
The message from the expert is clear: don't wait until Christmas morning. "Get your oven on, get your hob on, test all those functions that you wouldn't normally use," he advised. Taking this simple step could be the difference between a joyful festive meal and a holiday spent in 'tears' over a cold turkey.
