How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is an appliance used in kitchens that is commonly used to cook food. The heat generated by the oven sterilizes food and kills the majority of microorganisms.
An accurate oven thermometer is essential for all bakers. Knowing how your oven functions can help you improve your baking and roasting abilities and eliminate those frustrating hot spots that cause havoc with cookies, cakes and other baked items.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an essential part of your oven. It helps to ensure that the temperature of food corresponds to the temperature you have set on the control panel. Unfortunately, like any other electronic mechanical switch or sensor it can have issues that result in the oven going over heat or under heat, or simply not be able to keep the temperature at what you've set.
The oven thermostat is essentially an extremely small piece of different metals that are bonded. When exposed to heat the different metals expand and bend at different rates, making or breaking an electrical circuit. When the thermostat's metal attains the temperature you've set on your control panel it shuts off the power to the heating element. As the oven cools, the bimetallic strips contract, re-establishing circuit and turning on heating element. hob uk is constantly repeated to maintain a constant temperature in your oven.
You'll need the oven disconnected and all screws removed to identify the issue with the thermostat. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or close to it the thermostat is working correctly and doesn't require to be replaced.
If the multimeter fails to show anything, the thermostat is faulty. It must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a new one of the same type as the one you have. They can be purchased through the internet or at the kitchen store, and can be bought at a reasonable cost.
Bake Element
Ovens aren't complete without the bake element, which provides heat to make your oven cook food. It's a basic component that turns electricity into the high temperatures needed for baking, roasting and broiling. Heating elements are usually found in electric ovens and ranges, and they can be covered or hidden beneath the floor of the oven.
In general, oven heating elements consist of high-resistance elements 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 to raise the temperature to the desired level to cook different kinds of foods.
When you switch on the oven the heating elements begin to produce heat due to the high-voltage electric current flowing across the surface of the metal. The element is a coil or ribbon (straight or corrugated) of wire, and when the electric current passes through it, it begins to heat up. When the element reaches its temperature, it starts to be lit up in red hot.
The baked element is the primary source of heat in all oven functions. It is typically located at the bottom of the oven. A lot of ovens that are automated also utilize it to clean themselves. If it starts to burn out you may find that your oven isn't able to preheat as quickly or that your food isn't cooked through completely.
Connect your multimeter to its black and red ports. Then, you can press the metal probes on one side of the device against each other. Place the other end against one of its terminals, and then place your hands on it to determine if the element is warm to the contact. If it's not, take off the element and test again.
Broil Element
The broil element is usually located in the top of the oven and can provide high heat like a grill to brown or char food. The oven's broil setting can be a great way to quickly cook meat or crisp vegetables, to heat up lasagna or caramelize the topping of the casserole.
Similar to the bake element the broiler heating element transforms electrical energy into heat through the process of resistance. It consists of an inner core of wires made of metal wrapped in insulating perlite material. The inner core is enclosed in an outer layer of stainless steel to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer structure helps lower the temperature of the broil element, making it more durable and safer than older types of elements.
While you can use any heating element in your oven, make sure to choose one that matches the wattage rating of your oven. A different wattage can cause damage to your oven or cause it to overheat. You can verify the power of your oven and 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 output of your new broiler heating element. The greater the resistance of an oven element the greater power it draws from it.
Replace the element in your broiler immediately if it is not functioning or if it's acting up. Your oven must work properly to be able to cook your favorite foods. If your oven does not function in any way, or just intermittently then the problem may be in a different part.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven light helps you keep an eye on the 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 unusual for the bulb to go. It can be a hassle however, it's an simple fix that you can accomplish yourself. Before you begin, be sure that the breaker isn't tripped and that the three-prong connector is in good condition.
Remove the old bulb, and then find the new one. You may have to search online to find the correct replacement bulb that matches your oven's wattage. Some appliances use standard 40-watt bulbs, while others require a halogen bulb up to 50 watts. It is recommended to use cotton gloves to shield the halogen bulbs from damage caused by oil.
Remove the glass casing from the bulb before you replace it. You should do this slowly so that you don't break it. You'll then need to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with the mixture. This will ensure a longer lifespan of the filament.
If your bulb is always going out, it could be an electrical problem that requires a professional to fix. Double check that you are using the correct oven bulb and consult your Use and Care Guide to get more troubleshooting advice. And remember that it's always an excellent idea to unplug your oven and disconnect it from the outlet prior to you start any repair. This will help protect you from electrical shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is a crucial oven component because it allows a small amount of airflow to flow inside the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat around the oven and ensures that the temperature is evenly distributed.
It also allows vapors to be released from the oven, and smoke to be drained from the cooking surface. It is essential for the proper operation of any gas or electric oven.
Oven vent tubes can become blocked or blocked due to several factors. Accidental spills and splatters during cooking can leave sticky residues on the oven vents, which could draw dust and other debris which can lead to obstructions or blockages over time. Oil and grease particles can be blown into the air and settle around the vents, as well. Other environmental factors, like kitchen renovations and construction work, can introduce dust or other pollutants into the vents, resulting in obstructions or clogs.
Depending on the oven model the vent tube could comprise a bottle guide 20 or spreader 46 as well as a fill tip 12 that are integrally formed with the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 may have a tapered outer edge that matches the tapered inside edge of the spreader to allow the vent tubes to slide easily into different sizes and shapes of bottle necks.
A blocked or clogged vent tube can cause a loss of pressure within the enclosing structure. This could result in a downdraft which pulls exhaust down vent and backwards through the oven's burners, which can cause damage to oven components. Consult a professional if you think your vent pipe could be blocked or clogged. They will diagnose the problem and offer suggestions for removing or cleaning the vent.