How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is an appliance in the kitchen that is used to cook food. The heat generated by the oven sterilizes food and kills the majority of microorganisms.
All bakers require an accurate oven thermometer. Knowing how your oven functions can help you improve your baking and roasting skills, and eliminate those irritated hot spots that cause havoc with cakes, cookies and other 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 is in line with what you've set in the control panel. It could be a problem as with any other switch or sensor that is electro-mechanical. The oven could overheat or underheat, or simply not maintain the temperature you have set.
The oven thermostat is tiny strips of two different metals that are connected. When heated to a certain temperature, the two metals expand and 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 shut off power to the heater. As the oven cools the bimetallic strip contract, re-establishing the circuit and activating the heating element. This cycle is repeated continuously to ensure that the oven remains at a constant temperature.
To identify a problem with the thermostat, you'll have to remove the oven and verify that all screws holding it in place have been removed. If you own a multimeter (which is a device that analyzes electrical current) set it to the ohms setting and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads 0 or very close to it the thermostat is working correctly and doesn't need to be replaced.
If the multimeter fails to detect anything, the thermostat is faulty. It needs to be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a similar type as the old one. They can be purchased online or at a kitchen goods store, and can be bought at a reasonable cost.
Bake Element
Ovens aren't complete without the bake element, which provides heat to make your oven cook food. It's a simple component that converts electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting and broiling. Heating elements are commonly found in electric ovens and ranges, and they can be either uncovered or hidden under the floor of the oven.
In general oven heating elements comprise of high-resistance materials such as nickel-chromium. They work by converting electricity into heat through resistance. The heat then radiates through the interior of the oven to achieve the temperature required to cook different kinds of food.
When you turn on your oven the heating element gets to work by generating heat through the high-voltage electricity moving across its metal surface. When electric current flows through it the element is heated. The element will appear red hot when it reaches the desired temperature.
The baked element is the main source of heat in all oven functions. It's usually located at the in the bottom of the oven. Many automatic oven models also utilize it to clean themselves. You may observe that your oven doesn't heat up as quickly or that your food hasn't been cooked completely.
To verify that you have a working oven baking element, plug your multimeter into its red and black ports, and then place the probes made of metal against each other on one side of your element. The other end of the baking element against one terminal and place your hand on it. If the element feels warm, take it off it and try testing it again. If not, take it off the element and test again.
Broil Element
The broil element, usually found at the top of your cavity offers high heat to cook or char the food. The oven's broil setting can be a great way to quickly sear meat crisp vegetables, heat lasagna or caramelize the topping of a casserole.
The broiler heating element is similar to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy through resistance into heat. It consists of an inner core of wires that are wrapped in an insulating expanded perlite product. The core of the element is covered with an outer layer of stainless steel to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer structure helps lower the temperature of the broil element, making it more secure and 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. 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 ratings and wattage of your oven.
Examine the resistance of the previous element, and compare it to the wattage ratings of the new one. The higher the resistance of an oven element, the more power it uses.
If your broiler's heating element is acting up or doesn't work in any way, you should replace it right away. It is essential that your oven functions correctly to be able to cook all of your favorite food items. If your oven is not working in any way or only intermittently, the issue may lie with another part of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The light lets you keep an eye on your food as it cooks without opening the doors and letting heat escape. The light also alerts you when the casserole is ready. It's not uncommon for the bulb to go out. It can be a hassle, but you can fix it yourself. Before you start, make sure that the breaker hasn't tripped and that the three-prong connector is in good condition.
First, take out the light bulb that was in use and then locate the new one. You may need to search the internet for the right replacement bulb that is compatible with your oven's wattage. Some ovens utilize standard appliances with bulbs that run at 40 watts, while others need a halogen lamp up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oil from your hands can damage a halogen bulb, so you should use cotton gloves when handling it.
Before putting the new bulb in place it is important to first remove it from its glass casing. You should do this slowly to avoid breaking it. Then, you'll need to eliminate the air inside the bulb and fill it with an amalgamation of gases. This will ensure a longer filament life.
If your light bulb is always being replaced, it may be a larger electrical issue that must be addressed by an expert. Make sure you double-check that you're using a correct bulb for your oven, and consult 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 help protect you from electrical shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is a vital oven component that allows for an airflow within the cavity. This permits the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven, making sure that the temperature is distributed evenly.
It also allows the vapors that are released from the oven to escape, and allows smoke to be drawn away from the cooking surface. It is crucial to ensure the proper operation of any gas or electric oven.
Oven vent tubes can become blocked or blocked due to several reasons. Accidental spills or splatters could leave sticky residues on oven vents. They may attract dust, debris and other contaminants that can cause blockages in the course of time. Oil and grease particles can be blown into the air and settle around the vents, too. Other environmental factors, like kitchen and construction work can cause dust to enter the vents. This can lead to clogs.
Depending on the oven model the vent tube could include 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 could have a tapered outer layer that compliments the complementarily tapered inner surface of the spreader 46. This allows the vent tube to be easily placed into various sizes and designs of bottle necks.
A clogged or blocked vent tube could cause a loss of pressure within the enclosing structure, which could result in a downdraft that pushes exhaust down the vent and backwards through the oven's burners, which can cause damage to the oven components. If you believe that your vent tube is blocked or blocked, call an expert for assistance. They will diagnose the problem and give suggestions for clearing or cleaning the vent.