How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is a common kitchen appliance used to cook food. The heat from the oven sterilizes food items and kills the majority of microorganisms.
All bakers need an accurate oven thermometer. Knowing how your oven functions can help you improve your baking, roasting and cooking skills. It will also help eliminate those hot spots that can ruin cookies, cakes and baked products.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an essential element of your oven. It helps to ensure that the temperature of food corresponds to the temperature you set on the control panel. Unfortunately, like any other electronic mechanical switch or sensor it may have issues that cause the oven to over heat or under heat, or simply not be able to maintain the temperature at the level you've set.
The oven thermostat is essentially an extremely small piece of different metals that are bonded. When heated, the metals expand or bend at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature you set on your control panel, it will turn 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 ensure a constant temperature in your oven.
You'll need the oven disconnected and all screws removed to diagnose the problem with the thermostat. If you have a multimeter (which is a device that analyzes electrical current) set it to the ohms setting, and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or close to zero, the thermostat is functioning correctly and does not need to be changed.
If the multimeter isn't reading anything at all, then the thermostat is defective and needs to be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a fresh one that is the same model as your old one. They can be purchased online or at the kitchen store, and can be bought at a reasonable cost.
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 transforms electricity into the high temperatures needed for baking, roasting and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges usually contain heating elements, which can be either exposed or hidden under the floor.
In general, oven heating elements consist of high-resistance metals like nickel-chromium. They convert electrical energy into heat through the process of resistance which then radiates throughout the oven's interior, causing it to increase the temperature to the desired level for cooking different types of foods.
When you switch on the oven, the heating elements begin to produce heat due to the high-voltage current that flows across the metal's surface. When electric current flows through it the element is heated. When the element reaches the temperature it is intended to, it starts to shine red hot.
The baked element is the main source of heat in all oven functions. It is typically located at the bottom of the oven. Many ovens with automatic heating also use it for self-cleaning. You might be noticing that the oven does not heat up as quickly or that your food hasn't fully cooked.
Connect your multimeter to its red and black ports. Then, press the metal probes on one side of the device against each other. The other end of the element on one terminal and then place your hand on it. If the element feels warm, take it off 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 at the upper part of the oven's cavity and produces high-temperature heat similar to a grill to brown or char food items. The oven's broil setting is a great way to quickly grill meat, crisp vegetables, reheat lasagna or caramelize the top of a casserole.
The broiler heating element has a similarity to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy by resistance into heat. It is comprised of an inner core of wires made of metal wrapped in insulating expanded perlite product. The core of the element is then covered with an outer layer of stainless steel to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design helps to reduce the temperature of the broil element, making it more secure than older styles.
While you may use any baking or broiling heating element in your oven, it is important to choose one that matches the wattage rating of your oven. A different wattage could harm your oven or cause it to overheat. You can determine the wattage of your oven and the rating of the new heating element by examining their current and voltage ratings on the control panel of your oven.
Check the resistance of the previous element, then compare it to the wattage rating of the new element. The higher the resistance of an oven element the more power it draws.
Replace your broiler element immediately if it is not functioning or if it's acting up. It's important for your oven to function properly so that you can cook all of your favorite food items. If your oven doesn't work at all, or only intermittently, the issue may be with another part.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven light lets you keep an eye on the food as it cooks, without having to open the door and let heat escape. The light will also let you know when the casserole is finished. It's not unusual for the light bulb to fail. It can be frustrating but you can fix it yourself. Before you start, make sure that the breaker hasn't tripped and that the three-prong connector is intact.
Remove the old bulb, and then find the new one. You may have to look online for a replacement bulb that matches the wattage and the type of your oven. Some appliances use standard 40-watt bulbs, while others require halogen bulbs up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oils from your hands can cause damage to the bulb, so consider using cotton gloves when handling it.
Before you place the new bulb in it is important to first take it out of its glass casing. It's crucial to do this slowly so that you don't break it. Recommended Reading 'll have to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with a mixture. This will prolong the lifespan for the filament.
If your light bulb is always going out, there could be a wider electrical issue that should be dealt with by an expert. Make sure you double-check that you're using a correct bulb for your oven, and consult your Use and Care Guide for additional troubleshooting suggestions. Be sure to unplug your oven and shut off the power before you start any repairs. This will protect you from electrical shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an essential oven component that allows for an airflow within the cavity. This permits the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven, ensuring 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 drained away from the cooking surface. It is essential for efficient operation of any gas or electric oven.
Oven vent tubes can become blocked or clogged due to a variety of factors. Accidental spills and splatters during cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which could draw dust and other debris which can lead to obstructions or blockages in the course of time. Grease and oil may also become airborne and then settle around vents. Other environmental factors, like kitchen construction and renovations, can introduce dust or other contaminants into the vents, which can cause blockages or clogs.
Depending on the oven model, the vent tube may include an a bottle guide 20 or spreader 46 as well as a fill tip 12 that are integrally constructed with the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 can have a tapered outer edge that is complemented by the tapered inside edge of the spreader. This allows the vent tubes to be inserted easily into different sizes and shapes of bottle necks.
A blocked or clogged vent tube can result in a loss of pressure within the structure that surrounds it, which could result in a downdraft that pushes exhaust down the vent and then backwards over the oven burners, causing damage to the oven components. Consult a professional if you suspect that your vent tube might be blocked or clogged. They will identify the issue and offer suggestions for removing or cleaning the vent.