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How to Repair Common Oven Parts
Ovens are a kitchen appliance that is commonly used to cook food. The heat from 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 annoying hot spots that wreak havoc with cakes, cookies and other baked items.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an important component of your oven. It helps to ensure that the temperature of food corresponds to the temperature you set on the control panel. However, just like any other electro mechanical switch or sensor, it can sometimes have problems that can cause the oven to over heat or under heat, or just not be able to keep the temperature at what you've set.
The oven thermostat is tiny strips of two different metals that are connected. When exposed to heat, the different metals expand and flex at different rates, making or breaking an electrical circuit. When the metal in the thermostat is at the temperature you've set on your control panel, it shuts off the power to the heating element. As the oven cools, the bimetallic strips contract, re-establishing circuit and activating 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 in order to determine a thermostat problem. Set your multimeter to the Ohms setting and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or very close to it, then the thermostat is operating properly and doesn't require to be replaced.
If the multimeter doesn't show anything, the thermostat is faulty. It needs to be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with one of the same type as the previous one. They can be purchased online or at a kitchen goods store, and can be purchased at a reasonable cost.
Bake Element
Ovens aren't complete without the bake element, which creates heat to make your oven cook food. It's a basic component that transforms electricity into the high temperatures needed to bake, roast, and broiling. Heating elements are usually found in electric ranges and ovens and can be either covered or concealed under the floor of the oven.
In general oven heating elements are made up of high-resistance metals such as nickel-chromium. They work by converting electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance which then radiates throughout the oven interior to raise the temperature to the desired level for cooking different types of foods.
When you turn on the oven the heating elements begin to generate heat by the high-voltage electric current flowing across the metal's surface. The element is a coil or ribbon (straight or corrugated) of wire. When the electric current passes through it, it starts to heat up. The element will glow red hot when it is at the desired temperature.
The baked element is the primary source of heat in most oven functions. It's usually located in the bottom of the oven and is used to perform the self-cleaning function in many automatic oven models. If it starts to burn out you may find that your oven isn't able to heat up as fast or that your food isn't fully cooked.
Connect your multimeter to its red and black ports. Then, press the probes made of steel on one end of the device 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 not, take it off the element and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element, typically located at the top of your cavity, provides high heat to cook or char foods. The broil setting in your oven is a great option for quickly searing meat, crisping vegetables, reheating lasagna, or making caramel on top of the casserole.
The broiler heating element is similar to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy through resistance into heat. It is made up of an inner core made up of metal wires, wrapped in an insulating and expanded product called perlite. The inner core of the element is then covered with an outer layer of stainless steel to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design helps reduce the temperature of the broil element, making it safer than older styles.
While you can use any heating element in your oven, it is important to choose one that matches the wattage that is recommended for your oven. A different wattage could cause damage to your oven or cause it to overheat. oven with hob and current ratings of the new heating elements are available on the control panel of your oven. This will allow you to check the power and rating of your oven.
Verify the resistance of the previous element, then compare it to the wattage rating of the new one. The greater the resistance of an oven element the greater power it draws from it.
If the heating element in your broiler is not working or functions at all, you must replace it immediately. Your oven must function correctly to be able to cook your favourite meals. If your oven does not work in any way, or just intermittently, then the issue could be a problem with a different component.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven light lets you keep an eye on the food cooking without opening the door and let the heat escape. The light will also inform you when the casserole is finished. It's not uncommon for the bulb to go. It can be quite frustrating, but you can fix it yourself. Make sure that the breaker isn't tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
Remove the old bulb and then find the new one. You may need to search online to find the correct replacement bulb that matches your oven's wattage. Some ovens use standard 40-watt appliance bulbs some require a halogen bulb that is up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oil from your hands can damage a halogen bulb, so it is recommended to use cotton gloves when handling it.
Before putting the new bulb in You must first remove it from its glass casing. It's crucial to take this step slowly to ensure that you don't damage it. Then, you'll need to remove the air from the bulb and fill it with gas mixture. This will provide a longer life for the filament.
If your bulb keeps going out, there could be a wider electrical issue that should be handled by an expert. Double check that you are using the correct oven bulb and consult your Use and Care Guide to get additional troubleshooting tips. Remember to unplug the oven and shut off the power prior to beginning any repairs. This will help protect your from electrical shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an important oven part that allows for an airflow within the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat around the oven and ensures that 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 essential for the proper operation of any electric or gas oven.
Vents for ovens can become blocked or clogged due to a variety of factors. Accidental spills and splatters from cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which attract dust and other particles that can eventually cause clogs or blockages in the course of 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 or other contaminants into the vents, which can cause obstructions or clogs.
Based on the oven model the vent tube could include a bottle guide 20, spreader 46 and fill tip 12 that are integrally formed with the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 can have a tapered edge that complements the tapered inside edge of the spreader. This allows the vent tubes to slide effortlessly into various sizes and shapes bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube could cause a loss in pressure inside the enclosure which could cause a downdraft that pulls exhaust forward and down the vent, causing damage to the oven components. Contact a professional if you think your vent pipe might be blocked or clogged. They will diagnose the problem and offer suggestions for removing or cleaning the vent.