The Top Oven Gurus Are Doing Three Things
How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is an appliance used in kitchens that is typically used to cook food items. The heat generated by the oven sterilizes food and kills the majority of microorganisms.
An accurate oven thermometer is an essential 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 can cause havoc with cakes, cookies and other baked items.
Thermostat
The thermostat is among the most crucial components of your oven, helping make sure that the temperature of your food matches what you've set on the control panel. However, just like any other electro mechanical switch or sensor it may have issues that can cause the oven to over heat or under heat, or simply not be able to maintain the temperature at the level you've set.
The oven thermostat is a small strip of two different metals bonded together. When exposed to heat, the different metals expand and bend at different rates, making or breaking 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. As the oven cools, the bimetallic strips contract, re-establishing circuit and turning on the heating element. This cycle is repeated continuously to maintain a constant oven temperature.
To diagnose a problem with the thermostat you'll need to disconnect the oven and make sure that all screws that hold 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 the thermostat is operating properly and doesn't need to be replaced.
If the multimeter doesn't detect anything it means that the thermostat is defective. It is time to get it replaced. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a brand new one of the same kind as your old one. The thermostats are sold at a reasonable cost online or at a kitchen products shop.
Bake Element
The bake element is essential to the functioning of your oven. It produces heat that lets it cook food items. It's a small element that converts electricity into the high temperatures required for baking, roasting and broiling. Heating elements are usually found in electric ranges and ovens and are either uncovered or hidden under the floor of the oven.
In general oven heating elements comprise of high-resistance materials such as nickel-chromium. They work by converting electrical energy into heat through the process of resistance, which then radiates throughout the oven's interior, causing it to increase the temperature to the desired level to cook various types of food.
When you turn on your oven the heating element starts to generate heat from the high-voltage electrical energy that flows across its metallic surface. When electricity is flowing through it the element is heated. When the element reaches its desired temperature it begins to shine red hot.
The baked element is the primary source of heat for most oven functions. It's typically located at the bottom of the oven, and is used to perform the self-cleaning function in a variety of ovens that are automatic. When it starts to burn out you may be noticing that your oven doesn't heat up as fast or that your food isn't fully cooked.
To check for a working oven baking element connect your multimeter to its black and red ports, and then place the probes made of steel against each other on one side of your element. Place the other end of the element on one terminal and place your hand on it. If the element feels warm, take it off it and start testing again. If it's not, take off the element and start testing again.
Broil Element
The broil element, usually located on the top of your cavity offers high heat to cook or char foods. The broil setting of your oven is an excellent option for quickly grilling meat or vegetables, crisping them up, reheating lasagna or making caramel on top of the casserole.
Similar to the bake element, the broiler heating element converts electrical energy into heat through the process of resistance. It is comprised of an inner core made up of metal wires, wrapped in an insulating and expanded product known as perlite. Best place to buy oven and hob of the element is covered with an outer layer of stainless steel to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design can help lower the temperature of the broil element, making it safer than older designs.
While you can use any baking or broiling heating element in your oven, make sure to choose one that is in line with the rated wattage of your oven. Using a different wattage can damage your oven or cause it to overheat. You can verify the power of your oven as well as the rating of the new heating element by checking their current and voltage ratings on the oven's control panel.
You should also test the resistance of your previous element and compare it to the power of the new broiler heating element. The greater the resistance of an oven element the more power it draws.
If the heating element in your broiler is malfunctioning or isn't working at all, you must replace it as soon as possible. Your oven must work properly to be able to cook your favourite meals. However, if your oven isn't functioning at all, or is only working intermittently, the problem 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 the heat escape. The light will also inform you when the casserole is finished. But it's not uncommon for the light to fail. It can be a hassle however, it's an easy repair that you can tackle yourself. Check that the breaker is not tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
First, remove the light bulb that was in use and then locate the new one. You may need to look online for the right replacement bulb that matches the wattage of your oven. Some use standard 40-watt appliance bulbs some require halogen bulbs up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oil in your hands can cause damage to a halogen bulb, so consider using cotton gloves when handling it.
Remove the glass casing of the bulb before replacing it. It's important to take this step slowly to ensure that you don't damage it. Then, you'll have to eliminate the air inside the bulb and fill it with a mixture of gases. This will provide a longer life for the filament.
If your bulb keeps going out it could be due to an electrical problem that requires a professional to fix. Make sure you're using the correct oven bulb and consult your Use and Care Guide for more help in troubleshooting. Remember that it's recommended to unplug your oven and disconnect the power from the outlet before you begin any repair. This will prevent you from suffering an electric shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is a vital oven component that permits a small airflow inside the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat around the oven, ensuring that the temperature is evenly distributed.
It also allows the vapors that are released from the oven to escape, and also allows smoke to be drawn away from the cooking surface. It is essential for the proper operation of any electric or gas oven.
Oven vent tubes may become blocked by various reasons. Accidental spills or splatters while cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which draw dust and other debris that could eventually cause obstructions or blockages over time. Grease and oil may also be airborne and settle around vents. Other environmental factors, like kitchen construction and renovations, can bring dust or other contaminants into the vents, resulting in clogs or blockages.
Based on the model of the oven, the vent tube can include a spreader and a fill tip 12, and a bottle guide 20 that are incorporated into the pipe 32. For instance, the bottle guide 20 could have a tapered exterior surface that is complemented by the tapered inner surface of the spreader 46, allowing the vent tube to be effortlessly inserted into different sizes and shapes of bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube may cause a reduction in pressure within the enclosure, which can cause an updraft that pulls exhaust backwards and down the vent, causing damage to the oven components. If you think that the vent tube in your oven is clogged or blocked, consult a professional for help. They will determine the cause and provide suggestions on how to clean or clean the vent.