A How-To Guide For Oven From Start To Finish

How to Repair Common Oven Parts The oven is an appliance used in kitchens that is used to cook food. The heat produced by the oven sterilizes foods and kills the majority of micro-organisms present in them. A reliable oven thermometer is an essential for bakers of all kinds. Knowing how your oven works can help you improve your baking cooking, roasting and cooking abilities. It will also eliminate those annoying hot spots which can ruin cookies, cakes and baked products. Thermostat The thermostat is an important part of your oven. It assists in ensuring that the temperature of food corresponds to the temperature you have 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 heat or under heat, or not be able to keep the temperature you've set. The oven thermostat is a small strip made of two different metals bonded together. When heated the various metals expand and contract at different rates, forming or breaking an electrical circuit. When the thermostat's metal is at the temperature you've set on your control panel, it shuts off the power to the heating element. As the oven cools down the bimetallic strip expands, 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. 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. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting, and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads 0 or very close to it then the thermostat is functioning properly and doesn't need to be replaced. If the multimeter doesn't read anything, it's likely that the thermostat is faulty and must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with one of the same type as the old one. They are available online or at the kitchen store, and can be bought at a reasonable price. best hob uk are not complete without the bake element which provides heat to make your oven cook food. It's a small element that converts electricity into the high temperatures required for baking, roasting and broiling. Heating elements are typically found in electric ranges and ovens, and they can be either uncovered or hidden under the oven's floor. In general oven heating elements are made up of high-resistance metals like nickel-chromium. They convert electricity into heat through resistance. The heat then radiates through the interior of the oven to attain the temperature required for cooking different types foods. When you turn on the oven the heating elements begin to generate heat by the high-voltage current flowing 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 starts to heat up. When the element reaches its temperature it begins to shine red hot. The baked element is the primary source of heat for most oven functions. It is usually located at bottom of the oven. A lot of ovens that are automated also have it to clean themselves. If it starts to smoke, you might find that your oven isn't able to warm as quickly or your food isn't cooked through completely. To determine if you have a functioning oven baking element plug your multimeter into its black and red ports, then rub the probes made of metal against each other on the opposite side of the element. Place the other end of the element against one terminal and place your hands on it. If the element feels warm, take it off it and start testing again. If it's not, remove the element and test again. Broil Element The broil element is typically located in the upper part of the oven and can provide the same high temperature as grills to cook or brown food items. Broil settings in ovens are an excellent way to quickly cook meat or crisp vegetables, to heat up lasagna or caramelize the topping of the casserole. The broiler heating element is similar to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy via resistance into heat. It is composed of an inner core comprised of metal wires, which are wrapped in an insulating expanded product called perlite. The inner core 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 making it more durable and safer than the older designs of elements. You can use any heating element for baking or broiling in your oven. However, you should choose one that is in line with your oven's rated wattage. Using a different wattage can harm 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 checking their current and voltage 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 power of the new broiler heating element. The greater the resistance, the more power an oven element uses. Replace the element in your broiler immediately in the event that it isn't working or is acting up. It is essential that your oven function correctly to be able to cook all your favorite food items. If your oven doesn't work in any way, or just intermittently then the problem may be a problem with a different component. Light Bulb and Assembly The oven light helps you keep an eye on the food as it cooks, without opening the door to let heat escape. The light also alerts you when your casserole is ready. It's not uncommon for the light bulb to fail. It can be a hassle, but you can fix it yourself. Before you begin, make sure that the breaker isn't tripped and that the three-prong connector remains intact. First, remove the light bulb that was in use and then locate the new one. It is possible to search the internet for a replacement that matches the wattage and the type of oven you have. Some ovens use standard appliances with bulbs of 40 watts and others require a halogen lamp up to 50 watts. You should consider using cotton gloves to shield halogen bulbs from the damage caused by oil. Remove the glass casing from the bulb before replacing it. Do this slowly so that you don't break it. You'll then need to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with an appropriate mixture. This will extend the filament life. If your bulb is constantly going out, there could be a wider electrical issue that should be handled by a professional. Verify that you're using the correct oven bulb and check your Use and Care Guide for more help in troubleshooting. Remember to unplug the oven and shut off the power prior to beginning any repairs. This will prevent you from being shocked by electricity. Vent Tube The vent tube is an essential oven component that permits a small airflow inside 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 to be released from the oven, and smoke to be drained from the cooking surface. It is crucial for the proper operation of any gas or electric oven. Vents in ovens can get 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 contaminates that could cause blockages over time. Oil and grease particles can become airborne and settle on the vents, too. Other environmental factors, like kitchen renovations and construction work could introduce dust and other contaminants into the vents, resulting in clogs or blockages. Based on the oven model the vent tube may comprise a bottle guide 20, spreader 46 and fill tip 12 that are integrally constructed with the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 can have a tapered outer edge that matches the tapered inside edge of the spreader to allow the vent tubes to slide effortlessly into various sizes and shapes bottle necks. A blocked or clogged vent tube can cause a loss of pressure within the enclosing structure. This could result in a downdraft that pushes exhaust down the vent and backwards towards the oven's burners, which can cause damage to the oven components. Consult a professional if suspect that your vent tube could be blocked or clogged. They will determine the cause and provide suggestions on how to clean or clean the vent.