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How to Repair Common Oven Parts
Oven is a kitchen appliance that is commonly used to cook food. The heat of the oven sterilizes food and kills the majority of microorganisms.
An accurate oven thermometer is an essential for bakers of all kinds. Knowing how your oven functions will help improve your baking and roasting skills, and eliminate those irritated hot spots that wreak havoc with cookies, cakes and other baked products.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an important element of your oven. It is used to ensure that the temperature of food corresponds to the temperature you set on the control panel. It could be a problem as with any other sensor or switch that is electro-mechanical. The oven may overheat or underheat, or simply not keep the temperature you have set.
The oven thermostat is essentially a small strip of two different metals bonded together. When heated by the oven, the metals expand or bend at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature that you have set on your control panel, it will turn off the heating element's power. As hob and oven , the bimetallic strip contracts, re-establishing the circuit and turning on the heating element. This process is repeated over and over to ensure a constant temperature in your oven.
You'll need the oven disconnected and all screws removed in order to determine the problem 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 operating properly and doesn't need to be replaced.
If the multimeter doesn't read anything, then the thermostat is defective and needs to be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a brand new one of the same type as your old one. The thermostats are available for purchase at a reasonable cost online or at a kitchen goods shop.
Bake Element
Ovens can't be complete without the bake element which provides heat to make your oven cook food. It's a basic element that converts electricity into the high temperatures required for baking, roasting, and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges usually contain heating elements, which can be exposed or hidden beneath the floor.
In general, oven heating elements are made of high-resistance materials such as nickel-chromium alloy. They work by converting electrical energy into heat using resistance. The heat then radiates through the oven's interior to attain the desired temperature to cook various types of food.
When you turn on your oven, the heating element begins to produce heat through the high-voltage electricity that flows across its metallic surface. When the electric current flows through it, the element heats up. The element will turn red hot when it reaches the temperature you want.
The baked element is the primary source of heat for most oven functions. It's usually located in the bottom of the oven and is used to perform the self-cleaning function in many ovens with automatic cleaning. When it starts to smoke you may find that your oven isn't able to heat up as fast or that your food is not fully cooked.
To check for a working oven baking element, plug your multimeter into its red and black ports, and then place the probes made of steel against each other on the opposite side of your element. Place the other end of the baking element against one terminal and place your hands on it. If the element feels warm, remove it and test it again. If not, take it off and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element, usually located on the top of your cavity allows high-temperature heat to brown or char the food. The broil setting of your oven is a great choice for quickly searing meat or vegetables, crisping them up, reheating lasagna or making caramel on top of a 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 made of metal wrapped in insulating perlite material. The inner core of the element is then covered with an outer layer of stainless steel to protect the wires against direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design helps reduce the temperature of the broil element, making it safer than older designs.
While you may use any heating element in your oven, it is important to select one that is compatible with the rated wattage of your oven. A different wattage may damage your oven, or cause it overheat. The current and voltage ratings of the new heating elements can be found on the control panel of your oven. This allows you to determine the ratings and wattage of your oven.
Examine the resistance of your old element, then compare it to the wattage rating of the new one. The greater the resistance of an oven element the more power it draws.
If your broiler heating element is not working or functions at all, you must replace it immediately. Your oven needs to function correctly to to cook your favorite foods. However, if your oven is not working at all, or is only working intermittently, the issue could be in a different area of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The light allows you to keep an eye on the food that is cooking without opening the doors and letting heat escape. The light also informs you when the casserole is ready. It's not unusual for the bulb to go. It can be a hassle however, it's an simple fix that you can tackle yourself. Before you start, make sure that the breaker hasn't been tripped and that the three-prong connector remains intact.
Remove the old bulb and then look for the new bulb. You may have to look online for a replacement that matches the wattage and the type of your oven. Some ovens use standard 40-watt appliance bulbs some require halogen bulbs up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oil in your hands can cause damage to a halogen bulb, so it is recommended to use cotton gloves when handling it.
Before you place the new bulb into place it is important to first take it out of its glass casing. You should do slowly to avoid breaking it. You'll have to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with the mixture. This will provide a longer life for the filament.
If your bulb is always going out it could be due to an electrical issue that requires an expert to fix it. Make sure that you're using a correct bulb for your oven, and consult your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting tips. And remember that it's always a good idea to unplug your oven and disconnect it from the outlet before you begin any repair. This will help protect you from electrical shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an important oven part as it allows for a tiny amount of airflow within the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven and ensures the temperature is evenly distributed.
It also allows vapors to escape from the oven, and smoke to be drained from the cooking surface. It is necessary to ensure the proper operation of any gas or electric oven.
Vents in ovens can get clogged by a variety of factors. Accidental spills or splatters while cooking can leave sticky residues on the oven vents, which could attract dust and other debris which can lead to blockages or clogs in the course of time. Oil and grease can also become airborne, and build up around vents. Other environmental factors, like construction and kitchen renovations can cause dust to enter the vents. This can lead to clogs.
Based on the type of the oven, the vent tube can include a spreader 46 and a fill tip 12, and a bottle guide 20 that are integrally formed into the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 may have a tapered outer edge that matches the tapered inside edge of the spreader. This allows the vent tubes to be inserted effortlessly into various sizes and shapes of bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube may cause a loss in pressure inside 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 think your vent pipe may be clogged or blocked. They will determine the cause and provide suggestions on how to remove or clean the vent.