How to Repair Common Oven Parts
Ovens are a kitchen appliance that is commonly used to cook food. The heat generated by the oven sterilizes foods and kills the majority of micro-organisms present in them.
Every baker needs an accurate oven thermometer. Knowing how your oven functions will improve your baking and roasting abilities and eliminate those irritated hot spots that wreak havoc with cakes, cookies and other baked goods.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an essential part of your oven. It assists in ensuring that the temperature of food matches the temperature you set on the control panel. Unfortunately, like any other 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 keep the temperature at the level you've set.
The oven thermostat is an extremely small piece of different metals bonded together. When heated the different metals expand and flex at different rates, creating or breaking an electrical circuit. When the metal in the thermostat reaches the temperature you've set on the control panel, it shuts 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 have to remove the oven and make sure that all screws holding it in place have been removed. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads 0 or very close to it then the thermostat is working correctly and doesn't require to be replaced.
If the multimeter isn't reading anything, it's likely that the thermostat is faulty and requires replacement. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a brand new one of the same kind as the one you have. They can be purchased through the internet or at the kitchen store, and can be purchased at a reasonable price.
Bake Element
Ovens aren't complete without the bake element which creates heat to make your oven cook food. It's a basic element that converts electricity into the high temperatures required for baking, roasting and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges typically have heating elements, which are either visible or hidden under the floor.
In general, oven heating elements consist of high-resistance materials like nickel-chromium. They convert electrical energy into heat using resistance. The heat then radiates through the interior of the oven to reach the desired temperature to cook various types of food.
When you switch on your oven the heating element gets to produce heat through the high-voltage electricity that flows across its metallic surface. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire, and as the electric current flows through it, it starts to increase in temperature. 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 is typically located at the bottom of the oven. Many automatic oven models also use it to clean themselves. You might observe that the oven does not get hot as fast, or that your food isn't cooked completely.
To determine if you have a functioning oven baking element plug your multimeter into its red and black ports, then touch the probes made of metal against each other on the opposite side of the element. Place the other end of the element against one terminal and place your hands on it. If the element feels warm, remove it and try testing it again. If it's not, remove the element and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element, ovensandhobs which is typically located at the top of your cavity, offers high heat to cook or char the food. Broil settings in ovens are a great way to quickly cook meat or crisp vegetables, to heat up lasagna or caramelize the top of the casserole.
The broiler heating element is similar to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy through resistance into heat. It is comprised of an inner core of wires made of metal wrapped in an insulating expanded perlite product. The inside of the element is then covered with a stainless steel outer layer to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer structure helps reduce the broil element's temperature, making it safer and more efficient than the older designs of elements.
While you can use any baking or broiling heating element in your oven, it is important to choose one that matches the wattage that is recommended for your oven. Using a different wattage can damage your oven or cause it to overheat. The voltage and current ratings of the latest heating elements can be located on the control panel of your oven. This will allow you to check the power and rating of your oven.
Check the resistance of your old element, and then compare it to the wattage rating of the new element. The greater the resistance, the more the power that an oven element draws from.
If your broiler's heating element is not working or functions in any way, you should replace it immediately. It's important that your oven function correctly to be able to cook your most loved foods. However, if your oven isn't functioning at all, or is only working intermittently, the issue may be with a different part of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The light allows you to keep an eye on your food as it cooks without opening the door and let heat escape. The light also alerts you when the casserole is ready. It's not unusual for the bulb to go. This can be very frustrating but it's an simple fix that you can tackle yourself. Before you begin, be sure that the breaker isn't tripped and that the three-prong connector is in good condition.
Remove the old bulb and then look for the new bulb. You may have to search the internet for the right replacement bulb that is compatible with the wattage of your oven. Some appliances use standard 40-watt bulbs, while others require halogen bulbs up to 50 watts. Consider using cotton gloves to protect the halogen bulbs from damage caused by oil.
Before you put the new bulb in it is important to first remove it from its glass casing. You should do slowly to avoid breaking it. Then, you'll need to evacuate the air inside the bulb and fill it with gas mixture. This will prolong the lifespan for the filament.
If your bulb keeps going out 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. Remember to unplug the oven and turn off the power before beginning any repairs. This will prevent you from suffering an electric shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an important oven component because it allows a small amount of airflow to be created within the cavity. This permits the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven, ensuring that the temperature is evenly distributed.
It also allows vapors to escape from the oven and smoke to be drawn from the cooking surface. It is crucial for the proper operation of any electric or gas oven.
Vents for ovens can become blocked due to a variety of factors. Accidental spills or splatters can leave sticky residues in oven vents. These can attract debris, dust and other contaminants that can cause clogs over time. Oil and grease can also be airborne and then settle around vents. Other environmental factors, like kitchen and construction work can create dust in the vents. This can lead to clogs.
Based on the model of the oven the vent tube may include a spreader, the fill tip 12, and a bottle guide 20 that are integrally formed into the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 can have a tapered edge that matches the tapered inside edge of the spreader. This allows the vent tubes to be placed easily into different sizes and shapes bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube may cause a loss in pressure inside the enclosure which could cause a downdraft that pulls exhaust backwards and then down the vent, causing damage to oven components. Consult a professional if think your vent pipe might be blocked or clogged. They will identify the issue and provide recommendations for removing or cleaning the vent.