How to Repair Common Oven Parts
Oven is a common kitchen appliance used to cook food. The heat of the oven sterilizes food and kills the majority of microorganisms.
A precise oven thermometer is essential for all bakers. Knowing how your oven functions can help you improve your baking and roasting abilities and eliminate those irritated hot spots that can cause havoc with cookies, cakes and other baked goods.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an essential part of your oven. It assists in ensuring that the temperature of food matches the temperature you have set on the control panel. As with any electronic 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 basically tiny strips of two different metals that are joined. When heated, the metals expand or bend at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the thermostat's metal attains the temperature you've set on your control panel, it shuts off the heating element's power. When the oven cools down the bimetallic strip contract, re-establishing the circuit and activating the heating element. This process is repeated repeatedly to ensure that the oven remains at a constant temperature.
The oven must be disconnected and all screws removed in order to determine a thermostat problem. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting, and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or close to it the thermostat is operating properly and doesn't need to be replaced.
If the multimeter fails to show anything then the thermostat is not working properly. It must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a fresh one that is the same model that your old one. They can be purchased on the internet or in the Kitchen Renovation store, and can be purchased at a reasonable price.
Bake Element
Ovens aren't complete without the bake element which creates heat to make your oven cook food. It's an easy component that converts electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting, and broiling. Electric best ovens and ranges typically contain heating elements, which are either visible or hidden under the floor.
The majority of oven heating elements are constructed 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's interior, causing it to increase the temperature to the desired level to cook different kinds of food.
When you switch on your oven the heating element starts to produce heat from the high-voltage electrical energy moving across its metal surface. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire. When the electric current flows through it, it begins to heat up. When the element reaches its desired temperature it begins to shine red hot.
The baked element is the primary source of heat in all oven functions. It is usually located at lower levels of the oven. Many ovens with automatic heating also utilize it for self-cleaning. You might observe that the oven doesn't heat up as quickly, or that your food isn't cooked completely.
Plug your multimeter in to its red and black ports. Then, press the probes made of steel on one end of the element to each other. Place the other end against one of its terminals and put your hand on it to feel whether the element is warm to the contact. If it's not, remove the element and start testing again.
Broil Element
The broil element, usually found at the top of the cavity, offers high heat to cook or char food items. The broil setting in your oven is a great choice for quickly searing meat and vegetables, crisping up vegetables, warming lasagna or making caramel on top of a casserole.
Similar to the bake element, the broiler heating element converts electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance. It consists of an inner core of wires that are wrapped in an insulating expanded perlite product. The core of the element is then covered with a stainless steel outer layer to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design helps reduce the temperature of the broil element, making it safer than older designs.
You can use any heating element for baking or broiling in your oven. However, you should choose one that is compatible with your oven's rated wattage. Using a different wattage can cause damage to your oven or cause it to overheat. The current and voltage ratings of the latest heating elements can be located on the control panel of your oven. This will allow you to check the ratings and wattage of your oven.
It is also advisable to check the resistance of your previous element and compare it to the power of the new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance of an oven element the more power it uses.
Replace the element in your broiler immediately in the event that it isn't working or if it is acting up. It is crucial that your oven function properly so that you can cook all your favorite foods. If, however, your oven isn't working at all, or is only working intermittently, the issue could lie with another part of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The light allows you to monitor the food that is cooking, without opening the door and let heat escape. The light also alerts you when the casserole is ready. However, it's not uncommon for the light bulb to go out. It can be a hassle, but you can fix it yourself. Before you start, make sure that the breaker hasn't tripped and that the three-prong connector is intact.
First, remove the light bulb that was in use and then locate the new one. It is possible to look online for a replacement bulb that is compatible with the wattage and model of your oven. Some ovens use standard 40-watt appliance bulbs and others require a halogen bulb up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oils from your hands could damage a halogen bulb, so you should use cotton gloves when handling it.
Before putting the new bulb into place, you should first take it out of its glass casing. It's crucial to do this slowly so that you don't break it. Then, you'll have to remove the air from the bulb and fill it up with gas mixture. This will extend the filament life.
If your bulb is always running out it could be an electrical problem that requires the assistance of a professional. Make sure you're using the correct oven bulb and check your Use and Care Guide for more help in troubleshooting. Make sure to unplug the oven and shut off the power before you start any repairs. This will keep you from getting an electric shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is a vital oven component that allows for a small airflow inside the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven and ensures the temperature is evenly distributed.
It also allows the vapors to escape from the oven and smoke to be drained from the cooking surface. It is essential for the proper operation of any electric or gas oven.
Vents for best ovens and hobs can become blocked by many factors. Accidental spills and splatters during cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which can attract dust and other particles which can lead to blockages or clogs over time. Oil and grease can also become airborne and build up around vents. Other environmental factors like construction and kitchen renovations can introduce dust into the vents. This can cause clogs.
Based on the type of the oven the vent tube may comprise a spreader 46, an fill tip 12 and the bottle guide 20 which are integrally formed into the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 could be fitted with a tapered outer edge that matches the tapered inner edge of the spreader to allow the vent tubes to be placed effortlessly into various sizes and shapes bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube may cause a decrease in pressure inside the enclosure which could cause a downdraft that pulls exhaust forward and down the vent, causing damage to the oven's components. If you think that your vent tube is clogged or blocked, contact a professional for help. They will identify the issue and offer suggestions for removing or cleaning the vent.