How to Repair Common Oven Parts

The oven is a kitchen appliance that is used to cook food items. The heat produced by the oven sterilizes foods and kills the majority of micro-organisms that are present in them.

All bakers need an accurate oven thermometer. Understanding how ovens and hobs can help you improve your baking, roasting and cooking skills. It can also help you avoid those annoying hot spots which can ruin cakes, cookies and baked goods.

Thermostat

The thermostat is a crucial part of your oven. It assists in ensuring that the temperature of food is in line with the temperature you have set on the control panel. It can be problematic, just like any other sensor or switch that is electro-mechanical. The oven could overheat or underheat, or simply not keep the temperature you have set.

The oven thermostat is an extremely small piece of different metals bonded together. When heated the different metals expand and bend at different rates, making or breaking an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature you have set on your control panel, it will shut off heating element's power. When the oven cools down, the bimetallic strip contracts, re-establishing the circuit and turning on the heating element. This process is repeated repeatedly to ensure a constant oven temperature.

To identify a problem with the thermostat you'll need to disconnect the oven and verify that all of the screws that hold it in place have been removed. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or close to it the thermostat is functioning properly and doesn't require to be replaced.

If the multimeter does not read anything, then the thermostat is defective and needs to be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a similar model as the one you have. The thermostats are available for purchase at a reasonable cost online or in a kitchen goods shop.

Bake Element

The bake element is vital to the functioning of your oven. It generates heat that allows it to cook food items. It's a basic element that converts electricity into the high temperatures needed for baking, roasting, and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges often include heating elements that are either visible or hidden under the floor.

The majority of oven heating elements are made from high-resistance materials like nickel-chromium alloy. They work by converting electricity into heat through resistance. The heat then radiates through the oven's interior to reach the temperature required to cook various types of food.

When you switch on the oven the heating elements begin to produce heat through the high-voltage current flowing across the surface of the metal. When electricity flows through it the element is heated. The element will glow red hot when it is at the desired temperature.

The baked element is the main source of heat used in most oven functions. It is typically located at the bottom of the oven. Many ovens with automatic heating also utilize it to clean themselves. You might notice that the oven doesn't heat up as quickly, or that your food hasn't cooked to perfection.

Plug your multimeter in to its red and black ports. Then, touch the metal probes on one side of the element to each other. Place the other end of the baking element against one terminal and place your hand on it. If the element feels warm, take it off it and try testing it again. If it's not, remove the element and try again.

Broil Element

The broil element is typically situated in the top of the oven cavity and provides high heat like a grill to cook or brown food items. The broil setting of your oven is a great option for quickly grilling meat and vegetables, crisping up vegetables, warming lasagna or caramelizing the top of the casserole.

The broiler heating element is similar to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy via resistance into heat. It is comprised of an inner core of metal wires wrapped in an insulating expanded perlite product. The inside of the element is covered with a stainless steel outer layer to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design can help lower the temperature of the broil element, making it more secure than older designs.

While you can use any heating element in your oven, make sure to choose one that is in line with the rated wattage of your oven. Using a different wattage can damage your oven or cause it to overheat. The current and voltage ratings of the new heating elements can be found on the control panel of your oven. This allows you to determine the power and rating of your oven.

Examine the resistance of your old element, and then compare it with the wattage rating of the new element. The greater the resistance of an oven element, the greater power it draws from it.

If the heating element in your broiler is not working or functions at all, you should replace it as soon as possible. It's important that your oven function properly to cook your most loved food items. If your oven does not work at all, or only intermittently, the issue may be in a different part.

Light Bulb and Assembly


The light lets you keep an eye on your food while it cooks without opening the door and letting heat escape. The light will also inform you when the casserole is done. However, it's not uncommon for the light bulb to go out. This can be frustrating however, it's an easy repair that you can accomplish yourself. Make sure the breaker isn't tripped and that the connector has three prongs.

Remove the old bulb, and then look for the new bulb. It is possible to search online for the right replacement bulb that matches the wattage of your oven. Some ovens have standard appliance bulbs of 40 watts and others require an halogen lamp that can reach 50 watts. You should consider using cotton gloves to shield the bulbs from the damage caused by oil.

Before putting the new bulb into place You must first remove it from its glass casing. It's crucial to do this slowly so that you don't fracture it. You'll then need to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with the mixture. This will prolong the lifespan of the filament.

If your bulb keeps being replaced, it could be a wider electrical issue that should be handled by an expert. Verify that you're using the correct oven bulb and check your Use and Care Guide for more help in troubleshooting. Remember that it's recommended to unplug your oven and disconnect it from the outlet before you begin any repair. This will help protect your from electrical shock.

Vent Tube

The vent tube is an essential oven element because it allows for a tiny amount of airflow to flow within the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven and ensures that the temperature is evenly dispersed.

It also allows the vapors escape from the oven and smoke to be drained from the cooking surface. It is necessary for the proper operation of any gas or electric oven.

Oven vent tubes may become blocked due to a variety of factors. Accidental spills and splatters during cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which could attract dust and other particles that could eventually cause clogs or blockages in the course of time. Grease and oil can also become airborne and settle around vents. Other environmental factors, like kitchen renovations and construction work, can bring dust or other pollutants into the vents, leading to clogs or blockages.

Depending 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. The bottle guide 20 can have a tapered outer edge that matches the tapered inner edge of the spreader, allowing the vent tubes to be inserted effortlessly into various sizes and shapes of bottle necks.

A clogged or blocked vent tube could cause the loss of pressure inside the structure that surrounds it, which could result in a downdraft that pulls exhaust down the vent and then backwards over the oven burners, causing damage to the oven's components. Consult a professional if you believe that your vent may be clogged or blocked. They will identify the problem and make recommendations on how to clear or clean the vent.