How to Repair Common Oven Parts

The oven is an appliance in the kitchen that is commonly used to cook food items. The heat from the oven sterilizes foods and kills the majority of micro-organisms in them.

All bakers require an accurate oven thermometer. Understanding how your oven works will improve your baking and roasting skills and eliminate those annoying hot spots that cause havoc with cookies, cakes and other baked products.

Thermostat

The thermostat is among the most important parts of your oven, helping make sure that the temperature of your food is in line with what you've set in the control panel. It can be problematic as with any other switch or sensor that is electro-mechanical. The oven could overheat or underheat, or simply not keep the temperature you set.

The oven thermostat is an extremely small piece of different metals that are bonded. When heated the different metals expand and flex 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 the heating element's power. As the oven cools the bimetallic strips expand, re-establishing circuit and turning on the heating element. This process is repeated over and over to maintain a constant temperature in your oven.

You'll need the oven disconnected and all screws removed in order to determine the problem with the thermostat. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting, and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or close to zero it means that the thermostat is working properly and doesn't need to be changed.

If the multimeter does not read anything it means that the thermostat is defective. It must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a brand new one of the same type as your old one. The thermostats are available for purchase at a reasonable price on the internet or in the kitchen store.

Bake Element

Ovens aren't complete without the bake element which is the element that heats up to help your oven cook food. It's a simple element that converts electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting hobs and ovens 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 consist of high-resistance metals such as nickel-chromium. They work by converting electrical energy into heat using resistance. The heat then radiates through the interior of the oven to achieve the temperature required to cook various types of food.

When you start your hobs oven, the heating element begins to generate heat from the high-voltage electrical energy moving across its metal surface. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire. When the electric current passes through it, it begins to get hotter. When the element reaches the temperature it is intended to, it starts to be lit up in red hot.

The baked element is the primary source of heat for most oven functions. It's usually located at the bottom of the oven. Many ovens with automatic heating also have it to clean themselves. You may observe that the oven does not heat up as quickly or that your food hasn't been fully cooked.

Plug your multimeter in to its red and black ports. Then, press the metal probes on one end of the device against each other. Place the other end of the Baking essentials element against one terminal and place your hands on it. If the element feels warm, take it off it and test it again. If not, remove it and try again.

Broil Element

The broil element, typically located at the top of the cavity, allows high-temperature heat to brown or char food items. The oven's broil setting can be a great way to quickly cook meat, crisp vegetables, reheat lasagna, or caramelize the topping of a casserole.

The broiler heating element is comparable to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy through resistance into heat. It consists of an inner core of metal wires wrapped in an insulating expanded perlite material. The inner core is encased in an outer layer of stainless steel, which protects the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design helps to lower the temperature of the broil element, making it more secure than older designs.

You can use any heating element you want to use for baking or broiling in your oven. But, you must select one that matches the wattage that your oven is rated for. A different wattage may cause damage to your oven or cause it to overheat. The voltage and current ratings of the new heating elements are available on the control panel of your oven. This will allow you to check the ratings and wattage of your oven.

Verify the resistance of the previous element, and then compare it to the wattage ratings of the new element. The greater the resistance of an oven element, the greater power it draws from it.

If your broiler heating element is malfunctioning or isn't working in any way, you should replace it right away. It is crucial that your oven function properly so that you can cook your most loved foods. However, if your oven isn't functioning at all, or is only working intermittently, the issue may be in a different area of your oven.

Light Bulb and Assembly

The light allows you to monitor your food while it cooks, without opening the door and let heat escape. The light also lets you know when the casserole is ready. It's not uncommon for the light to fail. It can be a hassle, but you can fix it yourself. Before you begin, be sure that the breaker isn't tripped and that the three-prong connector remains intact.

Remove the old bulb and then look for the new bulb. It is possible to search the internet for a replacement bulb that is compatible with the wattage and model of oven you have. Some use standard 40-watt appliance bulbs, while others require halogen bulbs up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oil 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 before you replace it. It is important to do this slowly to avoid breaking it. After that, you'll need to remove the air from the bulb and fill it with gas mixture. This will extend the filament life.

If your bulb is always going out it could be an electrical problem that requires an expert to fix it. Be sure to double check that you're using a correct bulb for your oven and look over your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting tips. Also, remember that it's recommended to unplug your oven and disconnect it from the outlet before you begin any repair. This will prevent you from suffering an electric shock.

Vent Tube

The vent tube is an essential oven component that allows for hob and Oven a tiny airflow inside the cavity. This allows the bake-element to circulate heat throughout the oven, making sure that the temperature is evenly distributed.

It also allows the vapors that are released from the oven to escape as well as allows smoke to be drawn away from the cooking surface. It is necessary to ensure the proper operation of any electric or gas oven.

Vents in ovens can get clogged by a variety of factors. Accidental spills or splatters while cooking can leave sticky residues on the oven vents, which attract dust and other particles that can eventually cause blockages or clogs over time. Grease and oil particles may be blown into the air and settle around the vents, too. Other environmental factors, like kitchen renovations and construction work could introduce dust or other pollutants into the vents, which can cause blockages or clogs.

Based on the oven model the vent tube may comprise an a bottle guide 20 or spreader 46 as well as a fill tip 12 that are formed with the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 could have a tapered outer edge that complements the tapered inner edge of the spreader to allow the vent tubes to be inserted smoothly into different sizes and shapes of bottle necks.

A blocked vent tube could cause a decrease in pressure within the enclosure, which could cause a downdraft that pulls exhaust backwards and then down the vent, damaging the oven's components. Consult a professional if you think your vent pipe could be blocked or clogged. They will identify the problem and provide suggestions on how to clean or clean the vent.