Your Family Will Thank You For Having This Oven
How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is an appliance in the kitchen that is used to cook food. The heat from the oven sterilizes foods and kills the majority of micro-organisms in them.
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 can cause havoc with cookies, cakes and other baked goods.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an important component of your oven. It assists in ensuring that the temperature of food is in line with the temperature that you set on the control panel. However, just like any other electro mechanical switch or sensor it may have issues that cause the oven to over or under heat, or not be able to keep the temperature at the level you've set.
The oven thermostat is essentially tiny strips of two different metals bonded together. When heated to a certain temperature, the two metals expand or bend at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature that you set on your control panel it will shut off the power to the heater. As the oven cools, the bimetallic strips contract, re-establishing circuit and turning on 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 need to disconnect the oven and ensure 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 zero or very close to it the thermostat is working correctly and doesn't require to be replaced.
If the multimeter isn't reading anything at all, then the thermostat is defective and must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a fresh one that is the same model as the one you have. These thermostats are available at a reasonable cost online or at a kitchen goods shop.
Bake Element
The bake element is essential to the functioning of your oven. It produces heat that allows it to cook food. It's a small component that turns electricity into the high temperatures needed for baking, roasting, and broiling. Heating elements are commonly found in electric ranges and ovens and are covered or hidden beneath the floor of the oven.
Generally, oven heating elements are made of high-resistance materials such as nickel-chromium alloy. They convert electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance which then radiates through the oven interior best hobs uk to raise the temperature to the desired degree for cooking different types of foods.
When you switch on the oven the heating elements begin to produce heat through the high-voltage electric current flowing across the metal's surface. The element is a coil or ribbon (straight or corrugated) of wire, and when the electric current flows through it, it starts to heat up. When the element reaches its desired temperature, it starts to be lit up in red hot.
The baked element is the primary source of heat for most oven functions. It is usually located at in the bottom of the oven. A lot of ovens that are automated also have it for self-cleaning. If it starts to get hot you may notice that your oven doesn't warm as quickly or your food isn't fully cooked.
To determine if you have a functioning oven baking element, plug your multimeter into its red and black ports, then touch the probes made of metal against each other on the opposite side of your element. Place the other end against one of its terminals, and then place your hands on it to determine whether the baking element is warm to the contact. If not, take it off and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element is typically located at the upper part of the oven cavity and provides high-temperature heat similar to grills to roast or grill food. The broil setting of your oven is a great option for quickly searing meat and vegetables, crisping up vegetables, warming lasagna or caramelizing the top of a casserole.
Similar to the bake element, the broiler heating element converts electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance. It is made up of an internal core of wires made of metal wrapped in insulating perlite product. The core of the element is covered with a stainless steel outer layer to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design can help reduce the temperature of the broil element, making it safer than older designs.
While you may use any baking or broiling heating element in your oven, it is important to select one that is compatible with the rated wattage of your oven. A different wattage could damage your oven or cause it to overheat. You can determine the power of your oven as well as the rating of the new heating element by examining their voltage and current ratings on the control panel of your oven and hob.
Verify the resistance of the previous element, and compare it to the wattage rating of the new one. The higher the resistance, the more the power that an oven element draws from.
If your broiler's heating element is acting up or doesn't work at all, you must replace it immediately. Your oven must function correctly to be able to cook your favourite meals. However, if your oven isn't functioning at all or only intermittently, the issue may lie with another part of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven and hob light helps keep an eye on the food while it cooks without opening the door and let the heat escape. The light will also let you know when the casserole is done. It's not uncommon for the bulb to fail. It can be a hassle however, it's an simple fix that you can tackle yourself. Check that the breaker is not tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
First, remove the old light bulb and find the new one. You may have to search online for a replacement that is compatible with the wattage and model of oven you have. Some ovens have standard appliances with bulbs that are 40 watts in power, while others need an halogen lamp that can reach 50 watts. Consider using cotton gloves to shield bulbs from damage caused by oil.
Before you place the new bulb in place, you should first remove it from its glass casing. You should do this slowly so that you don't break it. After that, you'll need to evacuate the air inside the bulb and fill it up with gas mixture. This will ensure a longer lifespan for the filament.
If your bulb is constantly blinking, it may be a larger electrical problem that needs to be handled by a professional. Verify that you're using the correct oven bulb and check your Use and Care Guide to get more help in troubleshooting. Remember to unplug the oven and shut off the power before beginning any repairs. This will keep you from getting an electric shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an essential oven component that allows for a small airflow inside the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven, ensuring that the temperature is evenly distributed.
It also allows vapors to be released from the oven, and smoke to be drained from the cooking surface. It is necessary to ensure the proper operation of any electric or gas oven.
Vents for ovens can become clogged or blocked by several reasons. Accidental spills and splatters during cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which draw dust and other debris that can eventually cause obstructions or blockages over time. Oil and grease can also be airborne and build up around vents. Other environmental factors, such as kitchen renovations and construction work, can introduce dust or other pollutants into the vents, which can cause obstructions or clogs.
Based on the type of the oven the vent tube may include a spreader 46 and the fill tip 12, and an a bottle guide 20 that are incorporated into the pipe 32. For example, the bottle guide 20 might have a tapered outer surface that is complemented by the tapered inner surface of the spreader 46, allowing the vent tube to be effortlessly fitted into various sizes and designs of bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube could cause a loss in pressure inside the enclosure, which can lead to a downdraft that pulls exhaust forward and down the vent, damaging the oven's components. Contact a professional if you think your vent pipe may be clogged or blocked. They will determine the cause and offer suggestions for removing or cleaning the vent.