Apparatus and methods for controlling operation of an oven by differentiating between normal temperature cycling and an abnormal event in which the temperature drifts substantially below the lower band limit are described. Such differentiation enables use of differentiated modes to bring the oven temperature back to within a tolerance band or range. Particularly, and in connection with an oven including a microcomputer, a relatively low heat rate mode is used to maintain the oven temperature within the tolerance band or range, and a relatively high heat rate mode is utilized to return the oven temperature back to within the tolerance band or range quickly if the temperature drops below a lower set limit indicative of the occurrence of a drift event. The microcomputer is programmed so that after completion of preheating, the oven temperature is controlled by the user set temperature and offsets. Power cycling of the bake and broil heaters is controlled according to timing defined by prestored parameters. In the event that the temperature in the oven cooking cavity drops below the lower set limit, rapid recovery is initiated.