How to Repair Common Oven Parts

The oven is an appliance used in kitchens that is used to cook food. The heat generated by the oven sterilizes food items and kills the majority of microorganisms.

All bakers need an accurate oven thermometer. Understanding how your oven functions can help you improve your baking cooking, roasting and cooking skills. It can also help you avoid the annoying hot spots that can ruin cakes, cookies and baked products.

Thermostat

The thermostat is a crucial component of your oven. It helps to ensure that the temperature of food corresponds to the temperature that you set on the control panel. As with any electronic mechanical switch or sensor, it can have issues that result in the oven going over heat or under heat, or simply not be able to maintain the temperature at what you've set.

The oven thermostat is a small strip made of two different metals that are bonded together. When heated, the different metals expand and bend at different rates, forming or breaking an electrical circuit. When the thermostat's metal reaches the temperature you've set on your control panel it shuts off the heating element's power. When the oven cools down the bimetallic strip expands to re-establish the circuit before activating the heating element. This process is repeated over and over to ensure that the temperature remains constant within your oven.

To identify a problem with the thermostat, you'll need to unplug the oven and ensure that all of the screws holding it in place have been removed. If you have a multimeter (which is a tool that analyzes electrical current), set it to the ohms setting, and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter shows zero or close to zero the thermostat is operating properly and doesn't need to be changed.

If the multimeter doesn't show anything, the thermostat is faulty. It must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a new one of the same kind as your old one. They can be purchased through the internet or at an appliance store and can be bought at a reasonable price.

Bake Element

Ovens can't be complete without the bake element which is the element that heats up to help your oven cook food. It's a simple component that turns electricity into the high temperatures required to bake, roast, and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges often include heating elements that can be either exposed or hidden under the floor.

In general, oven heating elements are constructed from high-resistance materials like nickel-chromium alloy. They work by converting electrical energy into heat by the process of resistance, which radiates outwards into the oven's interior to raise the temperature to the desired temperature to cook various types of food items.

When you start the oven, the heating elements begin to generate heat by the high-voltage electric current flowing across the metal surface. When electric current is flowing through it the element is heated. When the element reaches its temperature it begins to shine red hot.

The baked element is the primary source of heat used in most oven functions. It's typically located at the bottom of the oven, and is used to perform the self-cleaning function in a variety of ovens that are automatic. When it begins to smoke you may be noticing that your oven doesn't warm as quickly or your food isn't cooked through completely.

Connect your multimeter to its red and black ports. Then, touch the probes made of metal on one side of the device against each other. Place the other end of the element on one terminal and place your hands on it. If the element feels warm, remove it and start testing again. If it's not, take off the element and start testing again.

Broil Element

The broil element is typically located in the top of your oven cavity and provides the same high temperature as grills to brown or char food items. The oven's broil setting can be a great way to quickly sear meat, crisp vegetables, reheat lasagna or caramelize the topping of the casserole.

Similar to the bake element, the broiler heating element transforms electrical energy into heat through the process of resistance. It consists of an inner core of metal wires wrapped in insulating expanded perlite product. The inner core of the element is covered with a stainless steel outer layer to protect the wires against direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design can help reduce the temperature of the broil element, making it safer than the older models.

While you are able to use any baking or broiling heating element in your oven, it is important to choose one that is in line with the wattage that is recommended for your oven. A different wattage could damage your oven, or cause it overheat. The voltage and current ratings of the latest heating elements are available on the control panel of your oven. This will allow you to examine the power and rating of your oven.


You should also check the resistance of your previous element and compare it to the power output of your new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance of an oven element, the more power it draws.

If your broiler heating element is acting up or doesn't work at all, you must replace it immediately. Your oven must work properly for you to to cook your favourite meals. If your oven does not operate at all, or only intermittently, then the issue could be a problem with a different component.

Light Bulb and Assembly

The light lets you monitor your food while it cooks without opening the door and let heat escape. The light also informs you when your casserole is ready. However, it's not uncommon for the light to fail. This can be frustrating, but it's a relatively simple fix that you can tackle yourself. Before you begin, make sure that the breaker hasn't tripped and that the three-prong connector is intact.

First, remove the light bulb that was in use and then locate the new one. It is possible to search the internet for the right replacement bulb that is compatible with your oven's wattage. Some use standard 40-watt appliance bulbs and others require a halogen bulb that is up to 50 watts. You should consider using cotton gloves to shield the halogen bulbs from the damage caused by oil.

Before you place the new bulb in place it is important to first remove it from its glass casing. It is important to do this slowly so that you don't break it. Then, you'll need to eliminate the air inside the bulb and fill it with gas mixture. This will ensure a longer lifespan for the filament.

If your bulb keeps blinking it could be an electrical issue that requires the assistance of a professional. Double check that you are using the correct oven bulb and consult your Use and Care Guide to find more help in troubleshooting. Remember to unplug the oven and turn off the power before you start any repairs. This will help protect you from electric shock.

Vent Tube

The vent tube is a vital oven part that allows for an airflow within the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat around the oven, ensuring that the temperature is evenly dispersed.

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

Oven vent tubes may become blocked due to a variety of factors. best oven or splatters while cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which could attract dust and other particles that could eventually cause blockages or clogs over time. Oil and grease can also be airborne and settle on vents. Other environmental factors like kitchen and construction projects can introduce dust into the vents. This can cause clogs.

Based on the oven model, the vent tube may include an a bottle guide 20 and spreader 46, as well as fill tip 12 that are integrally constructed with the pipe 32. For example the bottle guide 20 could have a tapered outer surface that compliments the complementarily tapered inside of the spreader 46 to allow the vent tube to be easily inserted into different sizes and designs of bottle necks.

A clogged vent tube can cause a reduction in pressure inside the enclosure, which could cause an updraft that pulls exhaust backwards and then down the vent, causing damage to the oven's components. If you suspect that the vent tube in your oven is clogged or blocked, contact a professional for help. They will identify the issue and provide recommendations for removing or cleaning the vent.