How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is a common kitchen appliance used to cook food. The heat of 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 functions can help you improve your baking, roasting and cooking skills. It will also help eliminate those hot spots that can ruin cakes, cookies and baked goods.
Thermostat
The thermostat is one of the most crucial components of your oven, helping to ensure that the temperature of your food matches what you've set on the control panel. It can be problematic as is any other switch or sensor that is electro-mechanical. The oven could overheat or underheat, or simply not keep the temperature you set.
The oven thermostat is an extremely small piece of different metals that are bonded. When heated by the oven, the metals expand or bend at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the metal in the thermostat reaches the temperature you've set on the control panel, it shuts off the heating element's power. As the oven cools the bimetallic strips expand to re-establish the circuit before turning on heating element. This process continues to ensure that the temperature remains constant within your oven.
It is necessary to disconnect the oven and all screws removed in order to determine the problem with the thermostat. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or close to zero, the thermostat is functioning correctly and does not need to be changed.
If the multimeter doesn't detect anything then the thermostat is not working properly. It must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a similar model as the one you have. The thermostats are available for purchase at a reasonable price online or at the kitchen store.
Bake Element
The bake element is vital to the operation of your oven. It generates the heat needed to cook food items. It's a small component that turns electricity into the high temperatures required for baking, roasting, and broiling. Heating elements are typically found in electric ovens and ranges and are either uncovered or hidden under the floor of the oven.
In general, oven heating elements are made of high-resistance materials such as nickel-chromium alloy. They work by converting electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance, which then radiates throughout the oven interior to raise the temperature to the desired temperature to cook various types of foods.
When you turn on the oven the heating elements start to produce heat through the high-voltage electric current flowing across the metal's surface. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire, and as the electric current passes through it, it starts to get hotter. When the element reaches the temperature it is intended to it starts to be lit up in red hot.
The baked element is the main source of heat for the majority of oven functions. It is typically located at the in the bottom of the oven. Many automatic oven models also use it to clean themselves. You might notice that the oven doesn't get hot as fast, or that your food isn't fully cooked.
To check for a working oven baking element connect your multimeter to its red and black ports, and then place the probes made of steel against each other on one side of your device. The other end should be placed against one of its terminals and put your hand on it to feel if the element is warm to the touch. If not, remove it and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element is usually situated in the top of the oven and can provide the same high temperature as a grill to cook or brown food. The oven's broil setting can be ideal for quick sear meat crisp vegetables, heat lasagna, or caramelize the topping of the casserole.
The broiler heating element has a similarity to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy through resistance into heat. It consists of an inner core of wires made of metal wrapped in an insulating expanded perlite product. The core of the element is then covered with a stainless steel outer layer to protect the wires against direct contact with the oven. The three-layer structure helps reduce the temperature of the broil element, making it safer and more efficient than the older designs of elements.
While you are able to use any heating element in your oven, make sure to select one that is compatible 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 looking at their current and voltage ratings on the oven's control panel.
You should also check the resistance of your previous element and compare it to the power output of your new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance of an oven element the more power it draws.
If your broiler heating element is acting up or doesn't work at all, you must replace it right away. It is essential for your oven to function properly to cook your most loved foods. If, however, your oven is not working in any way or only intermittently, the problem could be in a different area of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven light lets you keep an eye on your food cooking without opening the door and let heat escape. The light also lets you know when your casserole is ready. It's not uncommon for the bulb to go out. It can be quite frustrating, but you can do it yourself. Before you begin, make sure that the breaker hasn't been tripped and that the three-prong connector remains intact.
Remove the old bulb, and then find the new one. You may need to search online to find the correct replacement bulb that is compatible with your oven's wattage. Some ovens use normal appliance bulbs that are 40 watts in power and others require an halogen lamp that can reach 50 watts. Be aware that the oil from your hands can damage the bulb, so consider using cotton gloves when handling it.
Before putting the new bulb in place, you should first take it out of its glass casing. It's important to do this slowly so that you don't fracture it. Then, you'll have to eliminate the air inside the bulb and fill it up with an amalgamation of gases. This will ensure a longer lifespan of the filament.
If your light bulb is constantly running out, it could be an electrical problem that requires the assistance of a professional. 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. Remember that it's recommended to unplug your oven and disconnect it from the outlet before you begin any repair. This will prevent you from being shocked by electricity.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is a vital oven component that permits a tiny airflow inside the cavity. This permits the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven, ensuring that the temperature is evenly distributed.
It also allows vapors from the oven to escape, and allows smoke to be drained away from the cooking surface. It is necessary to ensure the proper operation of any gas or electric oven.
Vents in ovens can get blocked or blocked due to several factors. Accidental spills or splatters could leave sticky residues in oven vents. hobs ovensandhobs can attract dust, debris and other contaminants that can cause clogs in the course of time. Oil and grease particles can become airborne and settle on the vents, as well. Other environmental factors, such as kitchen renovations and construction work, could introduce dust or other contaminants into the vents, leading to blockages or clogs.
Depending on the model of the oven, the vent tube can comprise a spreader 46 and a fill tip 12, and a bottle guide 20 that are incorporated into the pipe 32. For instance the bottle guide 20 may have a tapered outer surface that compliments the complementarily tapered inside of the spreader 46. This allows the vent tube to be easily fitted into various sizes and designs of bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube could cause a reduction in pressure inside the enclosure which can lead to an exhaust downdraft, which pulls the exhaust backwards and down the vent, causing damage to oven's components. If you suspect that your vent tube is clogged or blocked, consult a professional for help. They will diagnose the issue and make recommendations on how to remove or clean the vent.