How to Repair Common Oven Parts
Oven is an appliance in the kitchen that is used to cook food. The heat generated by the oven sterilizes food items and kills the majority of microorganisms.
An accurate oven thermometer is an essential for bakers of all kinds. Knowing how your oven functions will improve your baking and roasting skills, and eliminate those frustrating hot spots that wreak havoc with cakes, cookies and other baked items.
Thermostat
The thermostat is among the most vital components of your oven, helping to ensure that the temperature of your food is in line with what you've set on the control panel. As with any electronic mechanical switch or sensor it may have issues that result in the oven going over or under heat, or not be able to keep the temperature at the level you've set.
The oven thermostat is tiny strips of two different metals bonded together. When heated, the metals expand or flex at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the metal in the thermostat attains the temperature you've set on your control panel it turns off the heating element's power. When the oven cools down the bimetallic strip expands to re-establish the circuit before activating the heating element. This cycle continues for a long time to ensure a constant oven temperature.
The oven must be disconnected and all screws removed to diagnose the problem with the thermostat. If you have a multimeter (which is a tool that detects electrical current) set it 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 need to be replaced.
If the multimeter doesn't detect anything, the thermostat is faulty. It is time to get it replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a similar model as the one you have. They are available on the internet or in an appliance store and can be bought at a reasonable price.
Bake Element
The bake element is crucial to the operation of your oven. It provides heat that lets it cook food items. It's a small element that converts electricity into the high temperatures needed for baking, roasting and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges usually contain heating elements, which are either visible or hidden under the floor.
In general, oven heating elements consist of high-resistance metals like nickel-chromium. They convert electricity into heat via resistance. This heat is then radiated through the interior of the oven to attain the desired temperature for cooking different types foods.
When you switch on your oven, the heating element begins to work by generating heat from the high-voltage electrical energy that flows across its metallic surface. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire. When the electric current flows through it, it begins to heat up. The element will turn red hot when it is at the desired temperature.
The baked element is the main source of heat in most oven functions. It's usually located at the bottom of the oven and is also used for the self-cleaning feature in many automatic oven models. If it starts to smoke you may find that your oven isn't able to preheat as quickly or that your food isn't cooked through completely.
Connect your multimeter to its red and black ports. Then, touch the probes made of steel 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 if the element is warm to the touch. If it's not, take off the element and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element, which is typically located at the top of your cavity offers high heat to brown or char food items. The oven's broil setting is a great way to quickly grill meat crisp vegetables, heat lasagna or caramelize the topping of the casserole.
Similar to the bake element the broiler heating element converts electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance. It is made up of an inner core comprised of metal wires, wrapped 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 design can help reduce the temperature of the broil element, making it more secure than older styles.
You can use any heating element for baking or broiling in your oven. However, it is important to choose one that is compatible with the wattage that your oven is rated for. A different wattage could damage your oven or cause it to overheat. The voltage and current ratings of the latest heating elements can be found on the control panel of your oven. This will allow you to check the ratings and wattage of your oven.
You should also check the resistance of your old element and compare it with the wattage of your new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance of an oven element, the more power it uses.
If your broiler heating element is malfunctioning or isn't working at all, you must replace it as soon as possible. Your oven must function correctly to to cook your favorite foods. However, if your oven is not working at all or only intermittently, the issue may lie with another part of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The light allows you to monitor your food as it cooks without opening the door and let heat escape. The light also alerts you when your casserole is ready. It's not unusual for the bulb to die. It can be a hassle, but you can fix it yourself. Check that the breaker is not tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
Remove the old bulb, and then find the new one. You may need to search the internet for the right replacement bulb that matches your oven's wattage. Some ovens have standard appliances with bulbs that are 40 watts in power, while others need lamps that are halogen 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.
Before you place the new bulb into place You must 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 eliminate the air inside the bulb and fill it up with an amalgamation of gases. This will prolong the filament life.
If your light bulb is always blinking, it may be a larger electrical issue that must be handled by a professional. Be sure to double check that you're using the right bulb for your oven, and check out your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting advice. Remember that it's recommended to unplug your oven and disconnect the power from the outlet prior to you begin any repair. This will help protect you from electrical shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is a vital oven component that permits an airflow within the cavity. This allows the bake-element to circulate heat throughout the oven, ensuring that the temperature is distributed evenly.
It also allows vapors from the oven to escape and allows smoke to be removed from the cooking surface. It is essential for efficient operation of any gas or electric oven.
Vents in ovens can get blocked or clogged due to a variety of reasons. Accidental spills or splatters may leave sticky residues in oven vents. They can attract debris, dust and other contaminants that can cause clogs in the course of time. Grease and oil can also be airborne and then settle around vents. Other environmental factors, like kitchen and construction projects can create dust in the vents. This can cause clogs.
Based on the model of the oven the vent tube could include a spreader 46 and a fill tip 12, and the bottle guide 20 which are incorporated into the pipe 32. For example the bottle guide 20 might have a tapered exterior surface that is complemented by the tapered inner surface of the spreader 46. This allows the vent tube to be easily inserted into different sizes and designs of bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube could cause a decrease in pressure within the enclosure, which can cause a downdraft that pulls exhaust backwards and then down the vent, causing damage to the oven's components. Contact a professional if you believe that your vent might be blocked or clogged. They will determine the cause and provide recommendations for removing or cleaning the vent.