How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is a kitchen appliance that is commonly used to cook food. The heat generated by the oven sterilizes food items and kills the majority of microorganisms.
All bakers need an accurate oven thermometer. Understanding how your oven functions will help improve your baking cooking, roasting and cooking skills. It can also help you avoid the annoying hot spots that can ruin cookies, cakes and baked products.
Thermostat
The thermostat is one of the most crucial components of your oven, helping make sure that the temperature of your food is exactly the temperature you've set on the control panel. It can be problematic, just like any other sensor or switch that is electro-mechanical. The oven can overheat or underheat, or not maintain the temperature you have set.
The oven thermostat is basically a small strip made of two different metals joined. When heated to a certain temperature, the two metals expand and bend at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the thermostat's metal attains the temperature you've set on your control panel it shuts off the power to the heating element. When the oven cools down the bimetallic strip contract in a way, reestablishing the circuit and turning on the heating element. This cycle continues for a long time to ensure that the oven remains at a constant temperature.
It is necessary to disconnect the oven and all screws removed to identify the problem with the thermostat. If you have a multimeter (which is a device that detects electrical current), set it to the ohms level and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or very close to it the thermostat is operating properly and doesn't require to be replaced.
If the multimeter does not read anything, it's likely that the thermostat is faulty and must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a fresh one of the same type that your old one. They can be purchased on the internet or in an appliance store and can be bought at a reasonable price.
Bake Element
The bake element is vital to the operation of your oven. It generates the heat needed to cook food items. 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 can be covered or hidden beneath the floor of the oven.
In general oven heating elements are made up of high-resistance materials such as nickel-chromium. They convert electrical energy into heat by the process of resistance which then radiates throughout the oven's interior to raise the temperature to the desired temperature to cook different kinds of foods.
When you start the oven the heating elements begin to produce heat due to the high-voltage current flowing across the metal surface. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire, and when the electric current passes through it, it begins to get hotter. The element will turn red hot when it reaches the desired temperature.
The baked element is the primary source of heat for the majority of oven functions. It is typically located at the lower levels of the oven. Many automatic oven models also utilize it to clean themselves. When it starts to burn out you may be noticing that your oven doesn't preheat as quickly or that your food is not cooked through completely.
To check for a working oven baking element connect your multimeter to its red and black ports, and then place the metal probes against each other on one side of your 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, take off the element and test again.
Broil Element
The broil element, usually found at the top of your cavity, provides high heat to brown or char food items. The oven's broil setting can be an excellent way to quickly grill meat or crisp vegetables, to heat up lasagna or caramelize the topping of the casserole.
Similar to the bake element, the broiler heating element transforms electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance. It is comprised of an inner core of wires that are wrapped in an insulating expanded perlite material. 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 design helps lower the temperature of the broil element, making it safer than older styles.
You can use any heating element for baking or broiling in your oven. But, you must select one that matches your oven's rated wattage. Utilizing a different wattage may 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 examining their voltage and current ratings on the oven's control panel.
Check the resistance of your old element, and compare it with the wattage rating of the new one. The higher the resistance, the more power an oven element uses.
Replace the broiler element as soon as possible if it is not functioning or if it's acting up. Your oven must work properly for you to to cook your favorite foods. If your oven does not operate in any way, or just intermittently, the issue may be a problem with a different component.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The light allows you to keep an eye on your food while it cooks without opening the door and letting heat escape. The light also alerts you when your casserole is ready. But it's not uncommon for the bulb to fail. It can be a hassle however, it's an easy fix you can tackle yourself. Make sure that the breaker isn't tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
Take out the old bulb and then locate the new one. You may need to search the internet for a replacement bulb that matches the wattage and the type of oven you have. Some ovens have standard appliance bulbs of 40 watts and others require an halogen lamp that can reach 50 watts. Be aware that the oil from your hands can damage a halogen bulb, so consider using cotton gloves when handling it.
Remove the glass casing from the bulb prior to replacing it. You should do this slowly to avoid breaking it. After that, you'll need to evacuate the air inside the bulb and fill it up with an amalgamation of gases. This will extend the lifespan of the filament.
If your light bulb is constantly going out, it could be an electrical issue that requires an expert to fix it. Make www.ovensandhobs.uk that you're using the correct bulb for your oven and look over your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting advice. Remember to unplug the oven and turn off the power before you start any repairs. This will help protect you from electrical shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an important oven component because it allows for a tiny amount of airflow to flow inside the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven, making sure that the temperature is evenly distributed.
It also allows the vapors be released from the oven, and smoke to be drawn from the cooking surface. It is necessary for the proper operation of any electric or gas oven.
Oven vent tubes may become clogged by various reasons. Accidental spills and splatters from cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which could draw dust and other debris which can lead to obstructions or blockages over time. Grease and oil can also become airborne, and settle on vents. Other environmental factors, like kitchen renovations and construction work, can introduce dust or other pollutants into the vents, which can cause clogs or blockages.
Based on the oven model, the vent tube may include an a bottle guide 20 or spreader 46 as well as a fill tip 12 that are integrally formed with the pipe 32. For instance the bottle guide 20 could have a tapered outer layer which is in harmony with the tapered inside of the spreader 46 to allow the vent tube to be effortlessly fitted into various sizes and designs of bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube could cause a reduction in pressure inside the enclosure which could cause an updraft that pulls exhaust backwards and down the vent, damaging the oven components. If you suspect that your vent tube is clogged or blocked, consult an expert for assistance. They will determine the cause and provide recommendations for removing or cleaning the vent.