How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is a kitchen appliance that is commonly used to cook food. The heat generated by the oven sterilizes foods and kills the majority of micro-organisms that are present in them.
A reliable oven thermometer is a necessity for all bakers. Understanding how your oven works can help you improve your baking and roasting skills, and eliminate those annoying hot spots that cause havoc with cakes, cookies and other baked products.
Thermostat
The thermostat is one of the most vital components of your oven, helping make sure that the temperature of your food matches what you've set in your control panel. Unfortunately, like any other electro mechanical switch or sensor, it can sometimes have problems that result in the oven going over heat or under heat, or simply not be able to maintain the temperature at the level you've set.
The oven thermostat is an extremely small strip of two different metals joined. When heated the different metals expand and bend at different rates, forming or breaking an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature that you set on your control panel, it will turn off the power to the heater. As the oven cools the bimetallic strips expand, re-establishing circuit and 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 disconnect the oven and ensure 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 zero or very close to it then the thermostat is working correctly and doesn't require to be replaced.
If the multimeter does not show anything, the thermostat is faulty. It must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a similar type as the old one. They can be purchased through the internet or at a kitchen goods store, and can be bought at a reasonable price.
Bake Element
Ovens can't be complete without the bake element, which provides heat to make your oven cook food. It's an easy component that transforms electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting, and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges typically contain heating elements, which can be either exposed or hidden under the floor.
The majority of oven heating elements are made from high-resistance components like nickel-chromium alloy. They convert electrical energy into heat using resistance. This heat then radiates through the oven's interior to achieve the desired temperature to cook various types of food.
When you start your oven, the heating element begins to produce heat by the high-voltage electricity that flows across its metallic surface. When the electric current is flowing through it the element is heated. When the element reaches its temperature, it starts to shine red hot.
The baked element is the primary source of heat used in most oven functions. It is usually located at bottom of the oven. Many automatic oven models also utilize it for self-cleaning. You might notice that the oven does not get hot as fast or that your food hasn't cooked to perfection.
To check for a working oven baking element plug your multimeter into its red and black ports, then rub the metal probes against each other on one side of your device. The other end of the baking element against one terminal and place your hands on it. If the element feels warm, remove it and start testing again. If not, take it off the element and start testing again.
Broil Element
The broil element is usually located in the top of your oven's cavity and produces the same high temperature as grills to cook or brown food. The broil setting of your oven is a great choice for quickly searing meat, crisping vegetables, reheating lasagna or caramelizing 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 composed of an inner core comprised of wires made of metal, encased in an insulating expanded product known as perlite. The inner core is then wrapped in an outer layer of stainless steel to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer structure reduces the broil element's temperature which makes it safer and more efficient than the older designs of elements.
You can use any heating element to bake or broiling in your oven. However, it is important to choose one that is compatible with the wattage that your oven is rated for. A different wattage could damage your oven or cause it to overheat. The voltage and current ratings of the new heating elements can be located on the control panel of your oven. This will allow you to check the wattage and rating of your oven.
Check the resistance of the old element, and then compare it with the wattage rating of the new one. The greater the resistance, the more energy an oven element consumes.
Replace the element in your broiler immediately in the event that it isn't functioning or if it's acting up. Your oven needs to function properly to to cook your favourite meals. If your oven does not function 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 as it cooks, without opening the door and let the heat escape. The light also informs you when the casserole is ready. But it's not uncommon for the light bulb to go out. It can be quite frustrating, but you can do it yourself. Before you start, make sure that the breaker hasn't tripped and that the three-prong connector is in good condition.
Take out the old bulb and then locate the new one. You may have to look online for the right replacement bulb that matches your oven's wattage. Some ovens use standard 40-watt appliance bulbs and others require a halogen bulb up to 50 watts. Consider using cotton gloves to protect the halogen bulbs from damage caused by oil.
Remove the glass casing of the bulb before replacing it. It is important to do this slowly so that you don't fracture it. Then, you'll need to eliminate the air inside the bulb and fill it up with an amalgamation of gases. This will provide a longer life for the filament.
If your bulb keeps going out it could be an electrical issue that requires a professional to fix. Verify that you're using the correct oven bulb and check your Use and Care Guide for more help in troubleshooting. Also, remember that it's recommended to unplug your oven and disconnect the power from the outlet prior to you start any repair. This will protect you from electrical shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an essential oven component that allows for a small airflow inside the cavity. This allows 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 vital for the proper functioning of any gas or electric oven.
Vents in ovens can get blocked or clogged due to a variety of factors. Accidental spills or splatters may leave sticky remnants in oven vents. They may draw in dust, debris and other contaminants that could cause clogs over time. Grease and oil can also be airborne and then settle around vents. Other environmental factors like construction and kitchen renovation renovations can cause dust to enter the vents. This can cause clogs.
Based on the oven model the vent tube could comprise the 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 can have a tapered edge that is complemented by the tapered inside edge of the spreader, allowing the vent tubes to be placed effortlessly into various sizes and shapes of bottle necks.
A blocked or clogged vent tube can result in the loss of pressure inside the enclosing structure. This can create a downdraft situation that pulls exhaust down the vent and backwards towards the oven's burners, causing damage to the oven's components. If you suspect that the vent tube in your oven is clogged or blocked, consult a professional for help. They will diagnose the problem and provide recommendations for removing or cleaning the vent.