How to Repair Common Oven Parts
Ovens are a common kitchen appliance used to cook food. The heat from the oven sterilizes food and kills the majority of micro-organisms present in them.
An accurate oven thermometer is essential for all bakers. Understanding how your oven works can help you improve your baking and roasting skills and eliminate those annoying hot spots that can cause havoc with cookies, cakes and other baked goods.
Thermostat
The thermostat is among the most important parts of your oven, helping ensure that the temperature of your food matches the temperature you've set on your control panel. However, just like any other electronic mechanical switch or sensor, it can sometimes have problems that can cause the oven to over heat or under heat, or just not be able to maintain the temperature at the level you've set.
The oven thermostat is essentially a small strip of two different metals bonded together. When heated, the metals expand and bend at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the metal in the thermostat is at the temperature you've set on your control panel it turns off the power to the heating element. As the oven cools, the bimetallic strips contract to re-establish the circuit before turning on heating element. This cycle is repeated continuously to maintain a constant oven temperature.
The oven must be disconnected and all screws removed to identify the problem with the thermostat. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter displays zero or close to zero, the thermostat is functioning correctly and doesn't require to be changed.
If the multimeter doesn't read anything it means that the thermostat is defective. It must be replaced. best hob recommends that you replace the thermostat with a brand new one that is the same model as your old one. They can be purchased through the internet or at the kitchen store, and can be bought at a reasonable price.
Bake Element
The bake element is vital to the operation of your oven. It produces the heat needed to cook food. It's an easy component that converts electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting, and broiling. Heating elements are typically found in electric ranges and ovens and are either covered or concealed under the floor of the oven.
Generally, oven heating elements are made from high-resistance components like nickel-chromium alloy. They work by converting electricity into heat via resistance. The heat then radiates through the oven's interior to attain the desired temperature for cooking different types foods.
When you switch on the oven the heating elements begin to produce heat through the high-voltage electric current flowing across the surface of the metal. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire. When the electric current passes through it, it starts to get hotter. The element will glow red hot when it reaches the temperature you want.
The baked element is the main source of heat in most oven functions. It is typically located at the in the bottom of the oven. Many automatic oven models also use it to clean themselves. When it starts to get hot, you might find that your oven isn't able to preheat as quickly or that your food isn't fully cooked.
To determine if you have a functioning oven baking element connect your multimeter to its black and red ports, then touch the metal probes against each other on one side of the element. Set the other end of the probe against one of its terminals and place your hand on it to test if the element is warm to the contact. If not, take it off and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element, typically located at the top of your cavity provides high heat to brown or char food items. Broil settings in ovens are a great way to quickly sear meat or crisp vegetables, to heat up lasagna or caramelize the topping of a casserole.
The broiler heating element is comparable to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy through resistance into heat. It is made up of an internal core of wires that are wrapped in insulating expanded perlite product. 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 styles.
While you may use any heating element in your oven, it is important to choose one that is in line with the wattage rating of your oven. A different wattage could cause damage to your oven or cause it to overheat. You can verify the power of your oven as well as the rating of the new heating element by looking at their voltage and current ratings on the control panel of your oven.
It is also advisable to check the resistance of your previous element and compare it with the wattage of your new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance, the greater power an oven element uses.
If your broiler's heating element is acting up or doesn't work at all, you should replace it as soon as possible. It's important that your oven function correctly to be able to cook your most loved foods. If your oven isn't working in any way or only intermittently, the issue may 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 the heat escape. The light will also notify you when the casserole is done. It's not unusual for the bulb to go. It can be quite frustrating, but you can do it yourself. Before you begin, be sure that the breaker hasn't been tripped and that the three-prong connector remains intact.
First, remove the old light bulb and then locate the new one. You may need to look online to find the correct replacement bulb that matches your oven's wattage. Some ovens use standard appliance bulbs that run at 40 watts and others require an halogen lamp that can reach 50 watts. Be aware that the oil from your hands can cause damage to a halogen bulb, so consider using cotton gloves when handling it.
Remove the glass casing of the bulb before replacing it. Do this slowly so that you don't break it. Then, you'll need to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with the mixture. This will extend the lifespan for the filament.
If your bulb keeps blinking, it could be a wider electrical problem that needs to be addressed by an expert. Make sure you're using the correct oven bulb and look over your Use and Care Guide for additional troubleshooting tips. And remember that it's always recommended to unplug your oven and disconnect it from the outlet before you start 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 inside the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven and ensures the temperature is evenly dispersed.
It also allows vapors to escape from the oven and smoke to be drawn from the cooking surface. It is essential for proper functioning of any gas or electric oven.
Oven vent tubes can become clogged or blocked by several factors. Accidental spills or splatters may leave sticky remnants in oven vents. These can attract dust, debris and other contaminants that can cause obstructions over time. Grease and oil particles may become airborne and settle on the vents, as well. Other environmental factors, such as kitchen construction and renovations, can bring dust or other contaminants into the vents, resulting in blockages or clogs.
Depending on the oven model, the vent tube may include a bottle guide 20 or spreader 46 as well as a fill tip 12 that are integrally constructed with the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 may be fitted with a tapered outer edge that complements the tapered inside edge of the spreader to allow the vent tubes to be inserted easily into different sizes and shapes bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube may cause a reduction in pressure inside the enclosure which can lead to a downdraft that pulls exhaust forward and down the vent, damaging the oven components. Contact a professional if you suspect that your vent tube could be blocked or clogged. They will diagnose the issue and provide suggestions on how to clean or clean the vent.