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.
An accurate oven thermometer is a necessity for bakers of all kinds. Knowing how your oven functions will help improve your baking and roasting abilities 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 to make sure that the temperature of your food is exactly the temperature you've set on the control panel. However, just like any other electro mechanical switch or sensor, it may have issues that can cause the oven to over or under heat, or just not be able to maintain the temperature at the level you've set.
The oven thermostat is an extremely small strip of two different metals that are bonded together. When heated by the oven, the metals expand and bend at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the metal in the thermostat attains the temperature you've set on your control panel it shuts off the heating element's power. As the oven cools it expands the bimetallic strip, re-establishing circuit and turning on heating element. This process is repeated over and over to maintain a constant temperature in your oven.
The oven must be disconnected and all screws removed to identify a thermostat problem. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting, and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter displays zero or close to zero the thermostat is operating correctly and does not need to be changed.
If the multimeter does not read anything it means that the thermostat is defective. It is time to get it replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with one of the same model as the one you have. These thermostats are available at a reasonable cost on the internet or in a kitchen products shop.
Bake Element
The bake element is essential to the operation of your oven. It generates heat that lets it cook food. It's an easy component that converts electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting, and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges often include heating elements that are either visible or hidden under the floor.
In general, oven heating elements are made from high-resistance materials like nickel-chromium alloy. They work by converting electrical energy into heat using resistance. This heat then radiates through the oven's interior to reach the temperature required to cook various types of food.
When you start the oven the heating elements begin to generate heat by the high-voltage current that flows across the surface of the metal. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire, and when the electric current flows through it, it begins to get hotter. When the element reaches its desired temperature it starts to glow red hot.
The baked element is the main source of heat for most oven functions. It is usually located at lower levels of the oven. A lot of ovens that are automated also use it for self-cleaning. If it starts to get hot, you might notice that your oven doesn't preheat as quickly or that your food is not cooked through completely.
Plug your multimeter in to its black and red ports. Then, touch the probes made of metal on one end of the element against each other. The other end of the element on one terminal and place your hands on it. If the element feels warm, remove it and try testing it again. If it's not, remove the element and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element is usually situated in the upper part of the oven's cavity and produces high heat like a grill to roast or grill food items. The broil setting in your oven is a great option for quickly grilling meat and vegetables, crisping up vegetables, warming lasagna, or making caramel on top of the casserole.
Similar to the bake element the broiler heating element transforms electrical energy into heat by the process of resistance. It is made up of an internal core of wires that are wrapped in an insulating expanded perlite product. The inside of the element is covered with an outer layer of stainless steel to protect the wires against direct contact with the oven. The three-layer structure reduces the broil element's temperature which makes it safer and more efficient than older types of elements.
You can use any heating element you want to use for baking or broiling in your oven. However, you should choose one that is in line with the wattage that your oven is rated for. 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 will allow you to check the ratings and wattage of your oven.
You should also check the resistance of your previous element and compare it to the power output of your new broiler heating element. The greater the resistance, the more energy an oven element consumes.
Replace the element in your broiler immediately in the event that it isn't working or is acting up. It's important that your oven function properly to cook your most loved food items. If your oven is not working at all or only intermittently, the problem 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 letting heat escape. The light will also notify you when the casserole has been cooked. It's not uncommon for the light bulb to fail. This can be very frustrating however, it's an easy repair that you can tackle yourself. Make sure that the breaker is not tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
Take out the old bulb and then locate the new one. You may need to search online to find the correct replacement bulb that matches your oven's wattage. Some appliances use standard 40-watt bulbs and others require a halogen bulb up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oil in your hands could damage the halogen bulb, so it is recommended to use cotton gloves when handling it.
Before you place the new bulb in, you should first take it out of its glass casing. Do this slowly to avoid breaking it. Then, you'll need to remove the air from the bulb and fill it with a mixture of gases. This ensures a longer life for the filament.
If your bulb is always running out it could be an electrical problem that requires an expert to fix it. Be sure to double check that you're using a correct bulb for your oven, and look over your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting tips. Make sure to unplug the oven and shut off the power before beginning any repairs. This will help prevent being shocked by electricity.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an essential oven element because it allows a small amount of airflow within the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven and ensures that the temperature is evenly dispersed.
It also allows the vapors that are released from the oven to escape, as well as allows smoke to be drained away from the cooking surface. It is essential for proper operation of any gas or electric oven.
Oven vent tubes can become clogged or blocked by several factors. Accidental spills or splatters while cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which could attract dust and other debris which can lead to clogs or blockages over time. Grease and oil can also be airborne and then settle around vents. Other environmental factors, like construction and kitchen renovations can introduce dust into the vents. This can cause clogs.
Depending on the model of the oven the vent tube may include a spreader 46 and a fill tip 12, and a bottle guide 20 that are integrated into the pipe 32. Ovens & Hobs may have a tapered outer edge that is complemented by the tapered inner edge of the spreader. This allows the vent tubes to be inserted easily into different sizes and shapes of bottle necks.
A clogged or blocked vent tube could cause a loss of pressure within the enclosing structure, which can create a downdraft situation which pulls exhaust down vent and then backwards over the oven's burners, causing damage to the oven's components. Consult a professional if believe that your vent could be blocked or clogged. They will diagnose the issue and offer suggestions on how to clean or clean the vent.