How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is an appliance used in kitchens that is commonly used to cook food items. The heat of the oven sterilizes food and kills the majority of microorganisms.
A reliable oven thermometer is a necessity for all bakers. Knowing how your oven functions will improve your baking and roasting abilities and eliminate those annoying hot spots that wreak havoc with cookies, cakes and other baked items.
Thermostat
The thermostat is one of the most important parts of your oven, helping to make sure that the temperature of your food is in line with what you've set on your control panel. It could be a problem, just like any other sensor or switch that is electro-mechanical. The oven may overheat or underheat, or simply not maintain the temperature you have set.
The oven thermostat is a small strip made of two different metals that are connected. When exposed to heat the various metals expand and contract at different rates, making or breaking an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature that you have set on your control panel it will shut off the heating element's power. When the oven cools down the bimetallic strip contract to re-establish the circuit before activating the heating element. This process continues to ensure that the temperature remains constant within your oven.
To diagnose a problem with the thermostat you'll have to remove the oven and verify that all of the screws holding it in place have been removed. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter displays zero or close to zero it means that the thermostat is working correctly and doesn't require to be changed.
If the multimeter fails to read anything it means that the thermostat is defective. It must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with one of the same type as the previous one. These thermostats are available at a reasonable price online or in a kitchen products shop.
Bake Element
Ovens aren't complete without the bake element, which is the element that heats up to help your oven cook food. It's a simple component that turns electricity into the high temperatures required for baking, roasting, and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges typically have heating elements, which can be exposed or hidden under the floor.
In general oven heating elements comprise of high-resistance elements like nickel-chromium. They work by converting electrical energy into heat using resistance. The heat then radiates through the oven's interior to reach the temperature required to cook various types of food.
When you start your oven the heating element gets to generate heat through the high-voltage electricity moving across its metal surface. The element is a coil or ribbon (straight or corrugated) of wire, and as the electric current passes through it, it begins to get hotter. The element will glow red hot when it reaches the temperature you want.
The baked element is the primary source of heat used in most oven functions. It is typically located at the lower levels of the oven. ovens and hobs uk with automatic heating also utilize it for self-cleaning. If it starts to smoke, you might be noticing that your oven doesn't warm as quickly or your food is not cooked through completely.
To verify that you have a working oven baking element, plug your multimeter into its black and red ports, then touch the probes made of steel against each other on one side of the element. Place 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, take it off and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element is usually located in the top of your oven cavity and provides high-temperature heat similar to grills to roast or grill food. Broil settings in ovens are an excellent way to quickly cook meat, crisp vegetables, reheat lasagna, or caramelize the topping of the casserole.
The broiler heating element is comparable to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy through resistance into heat. It is comprised of an inner core comprised of metal wires, wrapped in an insulating expanded product called perlite. The inner core is wrapped in an outer layer of stainless steel, which protects the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design can help lower the temperature of the broil element, making it safer than older styles.
While you may use any heating element in your oven, make sure to choose one that is in line with the wattage rating of your oven. A different wattage may harm 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 allows you to determine the power and rating of your oven.
You should also check the resistance of your old element and compare it to the wattage of your new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance, the greater energy an oven element consumes.
If your broiler heating element is malfunctioning or isn't working in any way, you should replace it right away. It's important that your oven function properly to cook all your favorite foods. However, if your oven isn't working at all or only intermittently, the issue could lie with another part of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The light lets you monitor your food as it cooks without opening the door and let the heat escape. The light will also let you know when the casserole is finished. But it's not uncommon for the light to go out. It can be a hassle, but it's a relatively easy fix you can tackle yourself. Make sure that the breaker is not tripped, and that the connector has three prongs.
First, remove the light bulb that was in use and then locate the new one. It is possible to look online to find the correct replacement bulb that matches your oven's wattage. Some ovens use standard 40-watt appliance bulbs, while others require halogen bulbs up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oil from your hands could damage the halogen bulb, so you should use cotton gloves when handling it.
Before putting the new bulb in place, you should first remove it from its glass casing. It is important to take this step slowly to ensure that you don't damage it. You'll have to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with the mixture. This ensures a longer life for the filament.
If your bulb is constantly going out, there may be a larger electrical problem that needs to be dealt with by an expert. Verify that you're using the correct oven bulb and look over your Use and Care Guide to find more help in troubleshooting. And remember that it's always a good idea to unplug your oven and disconnect it from the outlet before you start any repair. This will help protect your from electrical shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an important oven part as it allows for a tiny amount of airflow to flow inside the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven and ensures that 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 crucial to ensure the proper operation of any electric or gas oven.
Vents in ovens can get clogged or blocked by several factors. Accidental spills or splatters may leave sticky residues on oven vents. They may attract debris, dust and other contaminants that could cause blockages in the course of time. Grease and oil may also become airborne, and settle around vents. Other environmental factors such as construction and kitchen renovations can introduce dust into the vents. This can cause 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 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 placed effortlessly into various sizes and shapes of bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube may cause a reduction in pressure inside the enclosure which could cause a downdraft that pulls exhaust forward and down the vent, causing damage to the oven components. If you think that the vent tube in your oven is clogged or blocked, contact an expert for assistance. They will determine the cause and offer suggestions for removing or cleaning the vent.