How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is an appliance used in kitchens that is used to cook food items. The heat produced by the oven sterilizes food items and kills the majority of micro-organisms that are present in them.
All bakers require an accurate oven thermometer. Understanding how your oven functions will help improve your baking cooking, roasting and cooking abilities. It will also eliminate the annoying hot spots that can cause damage to cakes, cookies and baked items.
Thermostat
The thermostat is among the most important parts of your oven, helping to make sure that the temperature of your food is in line with the temperature you've set on the control panel. It can be problematic as is any other sensor or switch that is electro-mechanical. The oven may overheat or underheat, or not maintain the temperature you have set.
The oven thermostat is essentially an extremely small piece of different metals joined. When heated, the metals expand or flex at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the thermostat's metal reaches the temperature you've set on the control panel, it shuts off the power to the heating element. As the oven cools it expands the bimetallic strip to re-establish the circuit before turning on heating element. This process is repeated over and over to ensure a constant temperature in your oven.
To determine if there is a problem with the thermostat, you'll need to unplug the oven and ensure that all of the 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 the thermostat is functioning properly and doesn't need to be replaced.
If the multimeter fails to show anything it means that the thermostat is defective. It must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a thermostat of the same model as the one you have. They are available through the internet or at an appliance store and are available at a reasonable price.
Bake Element
ovens & Hobs are not complete without the bake element, which provides heat to make your oven cook food. It's a simple component that transforms electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting and broiling. Heating elements are typically found in electric ovens and ranges and are either uncovered or hidden under the oven's floor.
Generally, oven heating elements are constructed of high-resistance materials such as nickel-chromium alloy. They work by converting electrical energy into heat through the process of resistance which then radiates through the oven's interior, causing it to increase the temperature to the desired level for cooking different types of food.
When you switch on your oven the heating element starts to generate heat by the high-voltage electricity flowing across its metal surface. When electricity is flowing through it, the element heats up. The element will turn red hot when it reaches the temperature you want.
The baked element is the primary source of heat in most oven functions. It is typically located at the lower levels of the oven. A lot of ovens that are automated also utilize it to clean themselves. When it begins to get hot, you might be noticing that your oven doesn't heat up as fast or that your food isn't cooked through completely.
Plug your multimeter in to its black and red ports. Then, you can press the metal probes on one end of the element against each other. The other end should be placed against one of its terminals, and then place your hands on it to test whether the baking element is warm to the contact. If not, take it off the element and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element, usually found at the top of your cavity allows high-temperature heat to brown or char food items. The broil setting of your oven is a great choice for quickly searing meat, crisping vegetables, reheating lasagna, or making caramel on top of a casserole.
Similar to the bake element, the broiler heating element converts electrical energy into heat by the process of resistance. It is comprised of an inner core made up of wires made of metal, encased in an insulating expanded product known as perlite. The inner core of the element is then covered with an outer layer of stainless steel to protect the wires against direct contact with the oven. The three-layer structure helps lower the temperature of the broil element which makes it safer and more efficient than the older designs of elements.
You can use any heating element for baking or broiling in your oven. However, it is important to select one that matches the wattage of your oven's rating. A different wattage may damage your oven, or cause it overheat. The voltage and current ratings of the latest heating elements can be located on the control panel of your oven. This allows you to determine the power and rating of your oven.
You should also test the resistance of your old element and compare it with the power output of your new broiler heating element. The greater the resistance, the more the power that an oven element draws from.
Replace the element in your broiler immediately in the event that it isn't functioning or if it's acting up. It's important that your oven functions properly to cook your most loved food items. If your oven does not operate in any way, or just intermittently, the issue may be in a different part.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The light allows you to keep an eye on your food while it cooks without opening the door and let heat escape. The light also alerts you when the casserole is ready. It's not uncommon for the bulb to die. This can be very frustrating but it's an simple fix that you can tackle yourself. Make sure that the breaker isn't tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
Take out the old bulb and then locate the new one. It is possible to search the internet to find the correct replacement bulb that matches the wattage of your oven. Some ovens have standard appliances with bulbs that are 40 watts in power some require a halogen lamp 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.
Remove the glass casing from the bulb prior to replacing it. It is important to do this slowly so 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 ensures a longer life for the filament.
If your bulb keeps blinking, it could be an electrical issue that needs a professional to fix. Be sure to double check that you're using the correct bulb for your oven and consult your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting advice. Make sure to unplug the oven and shut off the power before beginning any repairs. This will keep you from being shocked by electricity.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an important oven component that allows for an airflow within the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven and ensures the temperature is evenly dispersed.
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 gas or electric oven.
Vents for ovens can become blocked or blocked due to several reasons. Accidental spills and splatters during cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which could attract dust and other particles which can lead to clogs or blockages over time. Grease and oil can also be airborne and then settle around vents. Other environmental factors like construction and kitchen renovations can cause dust to enter the vents. This can cause clogs.
Based on the oven model the vent tube may comprise a bottle guide 20 or spreader 46 as well as a fill tip 12 that are integrally formed with the pipe 32. For instance the bottle guide 20 may have a tapered exterior surface that compliments the complementarily tapered inside of the spreader 46, allowing the vent tube to be smoothly inserted into different sizes and forms of bottle necks.
A blocked or clogged vent tube could cause the loss of pressure inside the enclosing structure. This can create a downdraft situation which pulls exhaust down vent and backwards through the oven's burners, causing damage to the oven's components. Contact a professional if you suspect that your vent tube could be blocked or clogged. They will determine the cause and offer suggestions on how to remove or clean the vent.