How to Repair Common Oven Parts
Ovens are a common kitchen appliance used to cook food. The heat of the oven sterilizes food items and kills the majority of microorganisms.
All bakers need an accurate oven thermometer. Knowing how your oven functions will help improve your baking and roasting abilities and eliminate those annoying hot spots that can cause havoc with cakes, cookies and other baked goods.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an important part of your oven. It assists in ensuring that the temperature of food corresponds to the temperature you have set on the control panel. It can be problematic, just like any other sensor or switch that is electro-mechanical. The oven can overheat or underheat, or simply not keep the temperature you have set.
The oven thermostat is a small strip made of two different metals connected. When heated the different metals expand and bend at different rates, creating or breaking an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature that you set on your control panel, it will shut off the power to the heater. 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 maintain a constant temperature in your oven.
It is necessary to disconnect the oven and all screws removed to identify the issue with the thermostat. If best oven uk have a multimeter (which is a device that measures electrical current), set it to the ohms setting and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads 0 or very close to it 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 not working properly and must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a thermostat of the same type as the old one. The thermostats are sold at a reasonable price online or in the kitchen store.
Bake Element
Ovens are not complete without the bake element, which provides heat to make your oven cook food. It's a small component that transforms electricity into the high temperatures required for baking, roasting and broiling. Heating elements are commonly found in electric ovens and ranges and can be either covered or concealed under the oven's floor.
The majority of oven heating elements are made from high-resistance components like nickel-chromium alloy. They work by converting electrical energy into heat by the process of resistance which then radiates throughout the oven's interior, causing it to increase the temperature to the desired temperature to cook different kinds of food items.
When you turn on your oven the heating element starts to work by generating heat through the high-voltage electricity flowing across its metal surface. The element is a coil or ribbon (straight or corrugated) of wire. When the electric current passes through it, it starts to increase in temperature. The element will turn red hot when it reaches the desired temperature.
The baked element is the primary source of heat for the majority of oven functions. It is usually located at in the bottom of the oven. Many ovens with automatic heating also use it to clean themselves. You might notice that your oven doesn't warm up as quickly, or that your food hasn't been fully cooked.
To verify that you have a working oven baking element connect your multimeter to its black and red ports, then rub the probes made of steel against each other on the opposite side of your element. Place the other end of the baking element against one terminal and place your hands on it. If the element feels warm, remove it and test it again. If not, remove it and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element is usually located in the top of the oven's cavity and produces high heat like grills to roast or grill food items. The oven's broil setting can be a great way to quickly sear meat or crisp vegetables, to heat up lasagna or caramelize the topping of a casserole.
Similar to the bake element, the broiler heating element converts electrical energy into heat through the process of resistance. It consists of an inner core of metal wires wrapped in insulating perlite material. The inner core is then enclosed in an outer layer of stainless steel to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design helps to lower the temperature of the broil element, making it more secure than older designs.
You can use any heating element for baking or broiling in your oven. But, you must choose one that is in line with the wattage that your oven is rated for. Using a different wattage can harm your oven or cause it to overheat. You can verify 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.
It is also advisable to check the resistance of your old element and compare it with the power output of your new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance of an oven element the greater power it draws from it.
If your broiler's heating element is malfunctioning or isn't working in any way, you should replace it right away. It is crucial that your oven functions properly to cook all of your favorite food items. If your oven doesn't operate at all, or only intermittently, then the issue could be in a different part.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The light allows you to monitor the food that is cooking without opening the doors and letting heat escape. The light will also inform you when the casserole is finished. However, it's not uncommon for the light to go out. This can be very frustrating, but it's a relatively simple fix that you can tackle yourself. Make sure 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 have to search the internet for a replacement bulb that is compatible with the wattage and model of oven you have. Some ovens have normal appliance bulbs that run at 40 watts and others require an halogen lamp that can reach 50 watts. You should consider using cotton gloves to protect the bulbs from damage caused by oil.
Remove the glass casing from the bulb before replacing it. It is important to do slowly to avoid breaking it. You'll then need to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with the mixture. This ensures a longer life for the filament.
If your bulb keeps blinking, it could be an electrical issue that requires the assistance of a professional. Make sure you're using the correct oven bulb and check your Use and Care Guide for more help in troubleshooting. Make sure to unplug the oven and turn off the power prior to beginning any repairs. This will prevent you from getting an electric shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is a crucial oven component because it allows for a small amount of airflow to flow within the cavity. This allows the bake-element to circulate heat throughout the oven, making sure that the temperature is distributed evenly.
It also allows the vapors to escape from the oven, and smoke to be drawn from the cooking surface. It is essential for proper operation of any gas or electric oven.
Oven vent tubes can become blocked or clogged due to a variety of reasons. Accidental spills and splatters from cooking can leave sticky residues on the oven vents, which can attract dust and other debris that could eventually cause obstructions or blockages in the course of time. Grease and oil can also become airborne, and build up on vents. Other environmental factors, such as kitchen renovations and construction work can introduce dust or other contaminants into the vents, resulting in blockages or clogs.
Depending on the model of the oven the vent tube may include a spreader 46 and an fill tip 12 and a bottle guide 20 that are incorporated into the pipe 32. For instance, the bottle guide 20 might have a tapered outer layer which is in harmony with the tapered inside of the spreader 46 to allow the vent tube to be smoothly fitted into various sizes and designs of bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube may cause a decrease in pressure inside the enclosure which can lead to a downdraft that pulls exhaust backwards and down the vent, damaging the oven's components. Consult a professional if you think your vent pipe may be clogged or blocked. They will determine the cause and give suggestions for clearing or cleaning the vent.