How to Repair Common Oven Parts

The oven is a kitchen appliance that is commonly used to cook food. The heat generated by the oven sterilizes food and kills the majority of microorganisms.

A precise oven thermometer is an essential for bakers of all kinds. Knowing how your oven functions will improve your baking, roasting and cooking skills. It will also eliminate the annoying hot spots that can ruin cakes, cookies and baked items.

Thermostat

The thermostat is an important part of your oven. It is used to ensure that the temperature of food corresponds to the temperature that you set on the control panel. As with any electro mechanical switch or sensor, it can sometimes have problems that cause the oven to over or under heat, or simply not be able to keep the temperature you've set.

The oven thermostat is an extremely small piece of different metals that are bonded. When heated to a certain temperature, the two metals expand or bend at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature you have set on your control panel, it will shut off the power to the heater. As the oven cools down, the bimetallic strip contracts, re-establishing the circuit and turning on the heating element. This process is repeated over and over to ensure that the temperature remains constant in your oven.

The oven must be disconnected and all screws removed to identify a thermostat problem. If you own a multimeter (which is a device that detects the electrical current), set it to the ohms level and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or very close to it the thermostat is operating properly and doesn't need to be replaced.

If the multimeter doesn't show anything it means that the thermostat is defective. It must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with one of the same type as the previous one. The thermostats are sold at a reasonable cost online or in a kitchen goods shop.

Bake Element

Ovens can't be complete without the bake element, which creates heat to make your oven cook food. It's an easy component that converts electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting and broiling. Heating elements are commonly found in electric ovens and ranges and can be covered or hidden beneath the oven's floor.

In general, oven heating elements are constructed from high-resistance materials like nickel-chromium alloy. They work by converting electricity into heat through resistance. This heat is then radiated through the interior of the oven to reach the desired temperature for cooking different types foods.

When you start the oven the heating elements start to produce heat due to the high-voltage electric current flowing across the surface of the metal. When electricity flows through it the element gets heated up. When the element reaches its desired temperature it starts to shine red hot.

The baked element is the primary source of heat for most oven functions. hobs 's usually located in the bottom of the oven, and is used to perform the self-cleaning function in many ovens with automatic cleaning. When it begins to get hot, you might find that your oven isn't able to preheat as quickly or that your food isn't cooked through completely.

To determine if you have a functioning oven baking element plug your multimeter into its black and red ports, and then place the metal probes against each other on one end of your element. Set the other end of the probe against one of its terminals, and then place your hands on it to test whether the element is warm to the contact. If it's not, remove the element and try again.

Broil Element

The broil element, which is usually located on the top of your cavity, provides high temperatures to brown or char the food. The oven's broil setting can be ideal for quick grill meat, crisp vegetables, reheat lasagna or caramelize the top of a casserole.

Similar to the bake element the broiler heating element converts electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance. It consists of an inner core of metal wires wrapped in insulating perlite material. The core of the element is then covered with an outer layer of stainless steel to protect the wires against direct contact with the oven. The three-layer structure helps lower the temperature of the broil element, making it more secure and efficient than older styles of elements.

While you are able to use any baking or broiling heating element in your oven, it is important to select one that is compatible with the rated wattage of your oven. A different wattage may damage your oven, or cause it to overheat. The current and voltage ratings of the latest heating elements can be located on the control panel of your oven. This will allow you to check the power and rating of your oven.


It is also advisable to check the resistance of your previous element and compare it with the power of the new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance of an oven element, the more power it draws.

If the heating element in your broiler is acting up or doesn't work at all, you must replace it right away. Your oven must function correctly to to cook your favorite meals. If your oven does not function in any way, or just intermittently, the issue may be with another part.

Light Bulb and Assembly

The light allows you to keep an eye on your food as it cooks without opening the doors and let heat escape. The light will also let you know when the casserole is done. It's not uncommon for the light to fail. This can be frustrating however, it's an easy repair that you can tackle yourself. Before you begin, be sure that the breaker hasn't been tripped and that the three-prong connector is intact.

Remove the old bulb and then locate the new one. It is possible to look online for a replacement that matches the wattage and type of your oven. Some use standard 40-watt appliance bulbs and others require a halogen bulb up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oils from your hands can cause damage to a halogen bulb, so it is recommended to use cotton gloves when handling it.

Remove the glass casing of the bulb prior to replacing it. It's important to take this step slowly to ensure that you don't break it. Then, you'll need to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with an appropriate mixture. This will ensure a longer lifespan of the filament.

If your light bulb is always being replaced, it could be a wider electrical issue that must be addressed by an expert. Be sure to double check that you're using the correct bulb for your oven and check out your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting tips. Also, remember that it's an excellent idea to unplug your oven and disconnect it from the outlet before you begin any repair. This will prevent you from getting an electric shock.

Vent Tube

The vent tube is an important oven component because it allows for a small amount of airflow to be created inside the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat around the oven and ensures the temperature is evenly dispersed.

It also allows vapors from the oven to escape, as well as allows smoke to be removed from the cooking surface. It is crucial for the efficient operation of any gas or electric oven.

Vents in ovens can get blocked due to a variety of factors. Accidental spills or splatters can leave sticky remnants in oven vents. They can draw in dust, debris and other contaminates that could cause blockages over time. Grease and oil may also become airborne and build up around vents. Other environmental factors such as kitchen and construction projects can create dust in the vents. This can lead to clogs.

Based on the oven model, the vent tube may comprise the bottle guide 20 or spreader 46 as well as a fill tip 12 that are constructed with the pipe 32. For example the bottle guide 20 could have a tapered outer surface that is complemented by the tapered inner surface of the spreader 46 to allow the vent tube to be easily fitted into various sizes and forms of bottle necks.

A blocked vent tube could cause a decrease in pressure inside the enclosure which can lead to an exhaust downdraft, which pulls the exhaust forward and down the vent, causing damage to oven components. If you suspect that your vent tube is clogged or blocked, contact a professional for help. They will identify the issue and give suggestions for clearing or cleaning the vent.