How to Repair Common Oven Parts
Ovens are a common kitchen appliance used to cook food. The heat generated by the oven sterilizes food and kills the majority of microorganisms.
Every baker needs an accurate oven thermometer. Knowing how your oven functions will help improve your baking and roasting skills, and eliminate those irritated hot spots that cause havoc with cookies, cakes and other baked products.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an essential element of your oven. It helps to ensure that the temperature of food is in line with the temperature you have set on the control panel. It could be a problem, just like any other sensor or switch that is electro-mechanical. The oven could overheat or underheat, or simply not maintain the temperature you set.
The oven hob thermostat is a small strip of two different metals that are bonded. When exposed to heat the different metals expand and flex at different rates, forming or breaking an electrical circuit. When the thermostat's metal reaches the temperature you've set on your control panel it shuts off power to the heating element. When the oven cools down the bimetallic strip expands in a way, reestablishing the circuit and turning on the heating element. This process is repeated over and over to maintain a constant temperature within your oven.
You'll need the oven disconnected and all screws removed to diagnose the issue with the thermostat. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting, and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or very close to it the thermostat is functioning properly and doesn't need to be replaced.
If the multimeter does not read anything at all, then the thermostat is not working properly and needs to be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a similar model as the one you have. They are available through the internet or at a kitchen goods store, and can be purchased at a reasonable cost.
Bake Element
The bake element is vital to the functioning of your oven. It generates heat that allows it to cook food items. It's a simple element that converts electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting and broiling. Heating elements are typically found in electric ranges and ovens and are covered or hidden beneath the floor of the oven.
In general oven heating elements comprise of high-resistance materials such as nickel-chromium. They convert electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance, which then radiates through the oven interior to raise the temperature to the desired level to cook different kinds of foods.
When you turn on the oven the heating elements begin to generate heat by the high-voltage current that flows across the metal surface. When electric current runs through it the element is heated. The element will appear red hot when it reaches the temperature you want.
The baked element is the main source of heat in all oven functions. It is usually located at in the bottom of the oven. Many ovens with automatic heating also use it to clean themselves. You may notice that the oven doesn't warm up as quickly or that your food hasn't fully cooked.
To determine if you have a functioning oven baking element, plug your multimeter into its black and red ports, then rub the probes made of metal against each other on the opposite side of your element. The other end of the element against one terminal and then place your hand on it. If the element feels warm, take it off it and try testing it again. If not, remove it and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element is typically located in the top of the oven and can provide the same high temperature as grills to roast or grill food. The oven's broil setting is a great way to quickly cook meat crisp vegetables, heat lasagna or caramelize the top of a casserole.
Similar to the bake element the broiler heating element transforms electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance. It is made up of an inner core consisting of metal wires, wrapped in an insulating, expanded material called perlite. The inner 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 lower the temperature of the broil element, making it more secure than older designs.
You can use any heating element to bake or broiling in your oven. But, you must choose one that is compatible with your oven's rated wattage. A different wattage may harm your oven, or cause it to overheat. The current and voltage ratings of the new heating elements are available on the control panel of your oven. This allows you to determine the wattage and rating of your oven.
It is also advisable to check the resistance of your previous element and compare it with the power of the new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance of an oven element the more power it uses.
If your broiler's heating element is acting up or doesn't work at all, you must replace it immediately. Your oven needs to function properly to be able to cook your favorite foods. If your oven doesn't work at all, or only intermittently then the problem may be a problem with a different component.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven light helps keep an eye on the food as it cooks, without having to open the door and let the heat escape. The light also alerts you when the casserole is ready. But it's not uncommon for the light bulb to go out. This can be frustrating, but it's a relatively easy fix you can accomplish yourself. Make sure that the breaker is not tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
Remove the old bulb and then find the new one. It is possible to search the internet for a replacement bulb that matches the wattage and the type of oven you have. Some ovens have normal appliance bulbs of 40 watts, while others need a halogen lamp up to 50 watts. You should consider using cotton gloves to shield the bulbs from damage caused by oil.
Before putting the new bulb in it is important to first remove it from its glass casing. Do this slowly so that you don't break it. Then, best hob [chappell-bowen-2.mdwrite.net] you'll need to remove the air from the bulb and fill it up with a mixture of gases. This ensures a longer life for the filament.
If your light bulb is always being replaced, it could be a wider electrical issue that must be handled by a professional. Make sure you're using the correct oven bulb and check your Use and Care Guide to find more help in troubleshooting. And remember that it's always an excellent idea to unplug your oven and disconnect it from the outlet before you begin any repair. This will help prevent suffering an electric shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an important oven part as it allows for a tiny amount of airflow to be created within the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat around the oven and ensures the temperature is evenly dispersed.
It also allows vapors from the oven to escape, as well as allows smoke to be removed from the cooking surface. It is vital for the proper functioning of any gas or electric oven.
Vents for ovens can become blocked or clogged due to a variety of reasons. Accidental spills or splatters may leave sticky residues in oven vents. They may attract debris, dust and other contaminates that could cause clogs in the course of time. Grease and oil can also be airborne and then settle on vents. Other environmental factors such as kitchen and construction projects can introduce dust into the vents. This can cause clogs.
Depending on the oven model the vent tube may include an a bottle guide 20, spreader 46 and fill tip 12 that are integrally formed with the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 can have a tapered edge that complements the tapered inside edge of the spreader. This allows the vent tubes to slide easily into different sizes and shapes bottle necks.
A clogged vent tube can cause a loss in pressure within the enclosure, which can lead to an exhaust downdraft, which pulls the exhaust backwards and down the vent, causing damage to oven's components. Contact a professional if you suspect that your vent tube could be blocked or clogged. They will determine the cause and provide recommendations for removing or cleaning the vent.