How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is an appliance in the kitchen that is used to cook food. The heat from the oven sterilizes foods and kills most of the micro-organisms that are present in them.
All bakers need an accurate oven thermometer. Knowing how your oven works will improve your baking cooking, roasting and cooking skills. It will also help eliminate those annoying hot spots which can ruin cakes, cookies and baked products.
Thermostat
The thermostat is a crucial part of your oven. It helps to ensure that the temperature of food corresponds to the temperature you set on the control panel. It could be a problem as with any other sensor or switch that is electro-mechanical. The oven could overheat or underheat, or simply not maintain the temperature you have set.
read full article is a small strip made of two different metals that are joined. When heated to a certain temperature, the two metals expand or flex 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 shut off the power to the heater. When the oven cools down the bimetallic strip expands in a way, reestablishing the circuit and turning on the heating element. This process is repeated over and over to ensure a constant temperature within your oven.
To identify a problem with the thermostat, you'll need to disconnect the oven and verify that all of the screws holding it in place have been removed. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting, and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter displays zero or close to zero the thermostat is operating properly and doesn't need to be changed.
If the multimeter doesn't show anything it means that the thermostat is defective. It needs to be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a brand new one of the same kind that your old one. The thermostats are sold 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 basic component that transforms electricity into the high temperatures needed for baking, roasting, and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges typically have heating elements, which can be exposed or hidden beneath the floor.
In general, oven heating elements are made from high-resistance materials like nickel-chromium alloy. They work by converting electrical energy into heat by the process of resistance, which then radiates throughout the oven interior to raise the temperature to the desired temperature to cook various types of food.
When you start the oven the heating elements start to produce heat through the high-voltage current flowing across the surface of the metal. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire, and as the electric current passes through it, it begins to increase in temperature. When the element reaches its desired temperature it begins to shine red hot.
The baked element is the main source of heat for most oven functions. It's typically located in the bottom of the oven and is also used to clean the oven in many ovens with automatic cleaning. When it starts to get hot you may find that your oven isn't able to preheat as quickly or that your food is not fully cooked.
Plug your multimeter in to its black and red ports. Then, press the probes made of metal on one side of the element against each other. Set the other end of the probe against one of its terminals and then place your hands on it to feel whether the baking element is warm to the contact. If not, take it off and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element, which is usually found at the top of the cavity, offers high heat to brown or char foods. The broil setting of your oven is an excellent option for quickly searing meat or vegetables, crisping them up, reheating lasagna, or caramelizing the top of a casserole.
Similar to the bake element, the broiler heating element transforms electrical energy into heat through the process of resistance. It is comprised of an inner core comprised of wires made of metal, encased in an insulating expanded product called perlite. The inner core is then wrapped in an outer layer of stainless steel to protect the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer structure helps lower the broil element's temperature, making it safer and more efficient than older styles of elements.
While you are able to use any heating element in your oven, make sure to choose one that is in line with the rated wattage of your oven. A different wattage could harm your oven, or cause it overheat. You can verify the power of your oven and the rating of the new heating element by examining their voltage and current ratings on the oven's control panel.
Check the resistance of the previous element, then compare it with the wattage rating of the new element. The greater the resistance, the greater the power that an oven element draws from.
If your broiler's heating element is not working or functions at all, you should replace it immediately. It is essential for your oven to function properly so that you can cook all of your favorite food items. If, however, your oven isn't working at all or only intermittently, the issue could be in a different area of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven light helps keep an eye on your food cooking without having to open the door and let heat escape. The light will also inform you when the casserole has been cooked. It's not unusual for the bulb to die. It can be a hassle, but you can fix it yourself. Make sure that the breaker is not tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
Take out the old bulb and then look for the new bulb. You may need to look online for the right replacement bulb that is compatible with your oven's wattage. Some ovens have standard appliance bulbs of 40 watts, while others need a halogen lamp up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oil in your hands could damage the halogen bulb, so it is recommended to use cotton gloves when handling it.
Before you put the new bulb in place, you should first take it out of its glass casing. It's crucial to do this slowly so that you don't fracture it. Then, you'll need to evacuate the air inside the bulb and fill it with an amalgamation of gases. This ensures a longer life for the filament.
If your light bulb is constantly blinking, it could be an electrical issue that requires a professional to fix. Make sure that you're using the right bulb for your oven and look over your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting tips. And remember that it's always a good idea to unplug your oven and disconnect the power from the outlet prior to you begin any repair. This will protect you from electric shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an essential oven component because it allows for a tiny amount of airflow within the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat around the oven, ensuring that the temperature is evenly distributed.
It also allows vapors to escape from the oven, and smoke to be drained from the cooking surface. It is essential for the proper operation of any electric or gas oven.
Vents for ovens can become blocked by various reasons. Accidental spills and splatters from cooking can leave sticky residues on the oven vents, which attract dust and other debris that can eventually cause blockages or clogs in the course of time. Grease and oil can also become airborne, and build up on vents. Other environmental factors, like kitchen and construction work can cause dust to enter the vents. This can cause clogs.
Depending on the oven model the vent tube could comprise the bottle guide 20 and spreader 46, as well as fill tip 12 that are integrally formed with the pipe 32. For instance, the bottle guide 20 could have a tapered exterior surface that compliments the complementarily tapered inner surface of the spreader 46. This allows the vent tube to be easily placed into various sizes and shapes of bottle necks.
A clogged or blocked vent tube can cause the loss of pressure inside the structure that surrounds it, which could result in a downdraft that pushes exhaust down the vent and backwards towards the oven's burners, causing damage to the oven components. Contact a professional if you suspect that your vent tube could be blocked or clogged. They will diagnose the problem and provide recommendations for removing or cleaning the vent.