How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is an appliance in the kitchen that is used to cook food. The heat from the oven sterilizes food items and kills the majority of microorganisms.
Every baker needs an accurate oven thermometer. Knowing how your oven works can help you improve your baking cooking, roasting and cooking abilities. It will also help eliminate those annoying hot spots which can ruin cookies, cakes and baked goods.
Thermostat
The thermostat is among the most important parts of your oven, helping to ensure that the temperature of your food matches what you've set in your control panel. It could be a problem as with any other sensor or switch that is electro-mechanical. The oven could overheat or underheat, or simply not keep the temperature you set.
The oven thermostat is a small strip of two different metals that are bonded. When exposed to heat, the different metals expand and bend at different rates, forming or breaking an electrical circuit. When the thermostat's metal attains the temperature you've set on your control panel, it turns off the power to the heating element. As the oven cools, the bimetallic strip contracts in a way, reestablishing the circuit and activating the heating element. This process continues to ensure that the temperature remains constant in your oven.
To identify a problem with the thermostat, you'll have to remove the oven and ensure that all of the screws that hold it in place have been removed. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting, and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter shows zero or close to zero the thermostat is operating correctly and does not need to be replaced.
If the multimeter does not read anything, then the thermostat is faulty 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 cost on the internet or in the kitchen store.
Bake Element
The bake element is essential to the functioning of your oven. It provides heat that allows it to cook food items. 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 uncovered or hidden under the floor of the oven.
Generally, oven heating elements are made 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 to raise the temperature to the desired degree to cook various types of food items.
When you switch on your oven, the heating element begins to work by generating heat through the high-voltage electricity moving across its metal surface. When the electric current flows through it the element gets heated up. When the element reaches the temperature it is intended to it begins to glow red hot.
The baked element is the main source of heat for the majority of oven functions. It's usually located at the in the bottom of the oven. A lot of ovens that are automated also use it for self-cleaning. You might be noticing 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 plug your multimeter into its red and black ports, then touch the metal probes against each other on one end of the element. The other end of the element on one terminal and place your hands on it. If the element feels warm, remove it and try testing it again. If not, remove it and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element is usually located in the upper part of the oven cavity and provides the same high temperature as a grill to brown or char food items. The oven's broil setting is a great way to quickly grill meat or crisp vegetables, to heat up lasagna or caramelize the top of a casserole.
The broiler heating element is similar to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy through resistance into heat. It is made up of an internal core of wires made of metal wrapped in insulating expanded perlite material. 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 design can help lower the temperature of the broil element, making it more secure than older designs.
You can use any heating element you want to use for baking or broiling in your oven. However, you should choose one that is compatible with your oven's rated wattage. A different wattage can cause damage to your oven or cause it overheat. hob can determine the power of your oven and the rating of the new heating element by looking at their voltage and current ratings on the control panel of your oven.
Verify the resistance of the previous element, then compare it to the wattage rating of the new element. The greater the resistance, the greater energy an oven element consumes.
If the heating element in your broiler is malfunctioning or isn't working at all, you should replace it immediately. Your oven must work properly to be able to cook your favourite meals. If your oven does not work in any way, or just intermittently, then the issue could be in a different part.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven light lets you keep an eye on the food cooking without opening the door and let the heat escape. The light also informs you when the casserole is ready. However, it's not uncommon for the bulb to fail. It can be a hassle, but you can fix it yourself. Make sure the breaker is not tripped, and that the connector has three prongs.
First, remove the old light bulb and locate the new one. You may have to search online for the right replacement bulb that is compatible with the wattage of your oven. Some ovens use standard 40-watt appliance bulbs some require a halogen bulb that is up to 50 watts. It is recommended to use cotton gloves to shield halogen bulbs from the damage caused by oil.
Remove the glass casing of the bulb prior to replacing it. It's crucial to do this slowly so that you don't fracture it. After that, you'll need to evacuate the air inside the bulb and fill it with an amalgamation of gases. This will ensure a longer lifespan for the filament.
If your bulb is always running out it could be an electrical problem that requires an expert to fix it. Make sure you're using the correct oven bulb and look over your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting advice. Remember to unplug the oven and turn off the power before you start any repairs. This will keep you from being shocked by electricity.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an essential oven component that permits a small airflow inside the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven, making sure that the temperature is distributed evenly.
It also allows vapors to escape from the oven, and smoke to be drawn from the cooking surface. It is necessary for the proper operation of any electric or gas oven.
Oven vent tubes may become clogged by many factors. Accidental spills and splatters during cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which can attract dust and other debris which can lead to blockages or clogs in the course of time. Grease and oil may also become airborne, and settle around vents. Other environmental factors, like kitchen and construction work can introduce dust into the vents. This can cause clogs.
Depending on the oven model the vent tube may comprise a bottle guide 20 and spreader 46, as well as fill tip 12 that are constructed with the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 may have a tapered edge that is complemented by the tapered inside edge of the spreader to allow the vent tubes to be inserted smoothly into different sizes and shapes bottle necks.
A clogged or blocked vent tube could cause an increase in pressure within the enclosing structure, which can result in a downdraft that pulls exhaust down the vent and backwards towards the oven's burners, causing damage to the oven components. Contact a professional if you believe that your vent could be blocked or clogged. They will determine the cause and provide recommendations for removing or cleaning the vent.