How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is an appliance in the kitchen that is typically used to cook food items. The heat from the oven sterilizes food items and kills most of the micro-organisms that are present in them.
All bakers require an accurate oven thermometer. Understanding how your oven functions can help you improve your baking, roasting and cooking skills. It can also help you avoid those annoying hot spots which can cause damage to cakes, cookies and baked goods.
Thermostat
The thermostat is one of the most important parts of your oven, helping to make sure that the temperature of your food matches what you've set in the control panel. As with any electronic mechanical switch or sensor it can have issues that can cause the oven to over heat or under heat, or just not be able to keep the temperature at what you've set.
The oven thermostat is an extremely small strip of two different metals bonded together. When heated by the oven, the metals expand or flex at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature you set on the control panel it will shut off the power to the heater. As the oven cools it expands the bimetallic strip to re-establish the circuit before turning on heating element. This process is repeated over and over to ensure a constant temperature in your oven.
It is necessary to disconnect the oven and all screws removed to diagnose a thermostat problem. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or close to zero the thermostat is operating correctly and doesn't require to be changed.
If the multimeter doesn't detect anything then the thermostat is not working properly. It is time to get it replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a thermostat of the same type as the old one. The thermostats are sold at a reasonable price on the internet or in a kitchen goods shop.
Bake Element
The bake element is crucial to the operation of your oven. It provides heat that allows it to cook food items. It's a simple element that transforms electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting, and broiling. Heating elements are commonly found in electric ovens and ranges and are either covered or concealed under the floor of the oven.
Generally, 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 through the oven's interior, causing it to increase the temperature to the desired temperature for cooking different types of food.
When you turn on your oven, the heating element begins to produce heat from the high-voltage electrical energy flowing across its metal surface. When the electric current flows through it the element gets heated up. The element will appear red hot when it reaches the temperature you want.
The baked element is the main source of heat for most oven functions. It's usually found at the bottom of the oven and is also used for the self-cleaning feature in a variety of ovens that are automatic. You may be noticing that your oven doesn't warm up as quickly or that your food hasn't been fully cooked.
To check for a working oven baking element connect your multimeter to its red and black ports, then rub the probes made of metal against each other on one end of the element. Place the other end against one of its terminals, and then place your hands on it to feel if the element is warm to the contact. If it's not, take off the element and start testing again.
Broil Element
The broil element is typically located at the top of your oven's cavity and produces the same high temperature as a grill to roast or grill food items. The broil setting of your oven is an excellent 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 by the process of resistance. It is composed of an inner core made up of metal wires, wrapped in an insulating and expanded product called perlite. 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 reduce the broil element's temperature, making it more durable and safer than the older designs of elements.
While you may use any baking or broiling heating element in your oven, it is important to choose one that is in line with the rated wattage of your oven. Utilizing a different wattage may damage your oven or cause it to overheat. The current and voltage ratings of the latest heating elements are available on the control panel of your oven. This allows you to determine the power and rating of your oven.
You should also test the resistance of your old element and compare it to the power output of your new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance of an oven element, the greater power it draws from it.
Replace the element in your broiler immediately in the event that it isn't functioning or if it's acting up. Your oven must work correctly to to cook your favorite meals. If your oven isn't functioning at all or only intermittently, the issue could be in a different area of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven light lets you keep an eye on the food as it cooks, without having to open the door to let heat escape. The light will also inform you when the casserole is finished. It's not unusual for the bulb to go. It can be frustrating but you can fix it yourself. Before you begin, be sure that the breaker hasn't been tripped and that the three-prong connector remains intact.
First, take out the light bulb that was in use and then locate the new one. You may need to search online for the right replacement bulb that is compatible with 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 in your hands could damage a halogen bulb, so you should use cotton gloves when handling it.
Remove the glass casing from the bulb prior to replacing it. It is important to do this slowly to avoid breaking it. Then, you'll need to remove the air from the bulb and fill it with gas mixture. This will ensure a longer lifespan for the filament.
If your bulb is always blinking it could be an electrical issue that requires a professional to fix. Make sure you double-check that you're using the right bulb for your oven and look over your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting tips. Make sure to unplug the oven and turn off the power before beginning any repairs. This will protect your from electrical shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an essential oven part that allows for a tiny airflow inside the cavity. This allows the bake-element to circulate heat throughout the oven, making sure that the temperature is distributed evenly.
It also allows the vapors escape from the oven, and smoke to be drained from the cooking surface. It is crucial to ensure the proper operation of any gas or electric oven.
Vents in ovens can get blocked or blocked due to several reasons. Accidental spills and splatters during cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which could draw dust and other debris which can lead to clogs or blockages in the course of time. Grease and oil particles can become airborne and settle around the vents, as well. Other environmental factors, like kitchen and construction work can cause dust to enter the vents. This can cause clogs.
Based on the oven model, the vent tube may include an a bottle guide 20 or spreader 46 as well as a fill tip 12 that are integrally constructed with the pipe 32. For example the bottle guide 20 might have a tapered outer layer which is in harmony with the tapered inside of the spreader 46. This allows the vent tube to be effortlessly fitted into various sizes and shapes of bottle necks.
A blocked or clogged vent tube could cause a loss of pressure within the structure that surrounds it, which can result in a downdraft that pulls exhaust down the vent and then backwards over the oven's burners, causing damage to the oven components. Contact a professional if you believe that your vent may be clogged or blocked. This Resource site will determine the cause and offer suggestions for removing or cleaning the vent.