How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is an appliance in the kitchen that is typically used to cook food. The heat from the oven sterilizes food and kills the majority of microorganisms.
An accurate oven thermometer is a necessity for bakers of all kinds. Understanding how your oven works will help improve your baking and roasting skills and eliminate those irritated hot spots that wreak havoc with cakes, cookies and other baked goods.
Thermostat
The thermostat is one of the most vital components of your oven, helping to make sure that the temperature of your food is exactly the temperature you've set on the control panel. Unfortunately, like any other electro mechanical switch or sensor, it can have issues that cause the oven to over heat or under heat, or just not be able to keep the temperature at what you've set.
The oven thermostat is basically a small strip made of two different metals that are bonded together. When exposed to heat, the different metals expand and bend at different rates, forming or breaking an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature that you set on the control panel it will shut off power to the heater. As the oven cools, the bimetallic strip contracts in a way, reestablishing the circuit and turning on the heating element. This cycle is repeated continuously to maintain a constant oven temperature.
It is necessary to disconnect the oven and all screws removed to diagnose a thermostat problem. If you own a multimeter (which is a tool that measures electrical current) set it to the ohms level and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or close to it, then the thermostat is operating properly and doesn't need to be replaced.
If the multimeter does not read anything at all, then the thermostat is defective and needs to be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a thermostat of the same model as the one you have. These thermostats are available at a reasonable price online or in the kitchen store.
Bake Element
The bake element is crucial for the proper operation of your oven. It produces heat that allows it to cook food items. It's a simple element that converts electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting and broiling. Heating elements are usually found in electric ovens and ranges and can be either covered or concealed under the floor of the oven.
In general oven heating elements are made up of high-resistance metals such as nickel-chromium. They work by converting electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance, which then radiates through the oven's interior, causing it to increase the temperature to the desired degree to cook various types of food.
When you start your oven the heating element gets to produce heat from the high-voltage electrical energy flowing across its metal surface. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire, and as the electric current passes through it, it begins to heat up. The element will turn red hot when it reaches the temperature you want.
The baked element is the main source of heat used in most oven functions. It's usually located at the lower levels of the oven. Many automatic oven models also utilize it to clean themselves. When it starts to burn out you may be noticing that your oven doesn't heat up as fast or that your food is not cooked through completely.
Connect your multimeter to its black and red ports. Then, you can press the probes made of metal on one side of the element against each other. Place the other end against one of its terminals, and place your hand on it to determine whether the element is warm to the contact. If not, remove it and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element is usually located in the top of your oven's cavity and produces high-temperature heat similar to a grill to cook or brown food. The broil setting of your oven is an excellent choice for quickly searing meat and vegetables, crisping up vegetables, warming lasagna or caramelizing the top of a casserole.
Similar to the bake element the broiler heating element transforms electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance. It is comprised of an inner core made up of metal wires, wrapped in an insulating, expanded material known as perlite. The inner core is enclosed in 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 designs.
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. A different wattage can damage your oven, or cause it to overheat. You can check the wattage of your oven and the rating of the new heating element by looking at their current and voltage ratings on the oven's control panel.
Verify the resistance of the previous element, and then compare it to the wattage rating of the new one. The greater the resistance of an oven element the greater power it draws from it.
If your broiler's heating element is not working or functions at all, you must replace it as soon as possible. Your oven needs to function properly for you to be able to cook your favourite meals. If your oven does not operate at all, or only intermittently, then the issue could be in a different part.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The light lets you monitor your food as it cooks without opening the door and letting heat escape. The light will also notify you when the casserole has been cooked. It's not uncommon for the bulb to go. It can be a hassle, but you can fix it yourself. Make sure the breaker isn't tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
Remove the old bulb, and then look for the new bulb. It is possible to search online to find the correct replacement bulb that is compatible with your oven's wattage. Some use standard 40-watt appliance bulbs and others require a halogen bulb up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oil in your hands can damage the halogen bulb, so consider using cotton gloves when handling it.
Before putting the new bulb in, you should first remove it from its glass casing. It is important to take this step slowly to ensure that you don't fracture it. Then, you'll need to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with an appropriate mixture. This will extend the filament life.
If your light bulb is constantly blinking it could be an electrical issue that requires the assistance of a professional. Make sure you're using the correct oven bulb and consult your Use and Care Guide to get additional troubleshooting tips. Remember to unplug the oven and turn off the power prior to beginning any repairs. This will protect you from electric shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is a crucial oven element because it allows for a tiny amount of airflow within the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat around the oven and ensures the temperature is evenly dispersed.
It also allows the vapors be released from the oven, and smoke to be drained from the cooking surface. It is necessary to ensure the proper operation of any electric or gas oven.
Vents for ovens can become blocked or clogged due to a variety of factors. Accidental spills or splatters while cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which can attract dust and other particles that can eventually cause obstructions or blockages in the course of time. Grease and oil may also become airborne, and settle on vents. Other environmental factors, like kitchen and construction projects can cause dust to enter the vents. This can lead to clogs.
Depending on the model of the oven the vent tube may comprise a spreader 46, a fill tip 12, and the bottle guide 20 which are integrally formed into the pipe 32. For instance the bottle guide 20 might have a tapered outer layer that compliments the complementarily tapered inner surface of the spreader 46. This allows the vent tube to be effortlessly fitted into various sizes and shapes of bottle necks.
A clogged vent tube can cause a decrease 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 ovens and hobs if suspect that your vent tube may be clogged or blocked. They will identify the issue and offer suggestions for removing or cleaning the vent.