How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is an appliance in the kitchen that is used to cook food. The heat produced by the oven sterilizes food items and kills the majority of micro-organisms in them.
Every baker needs an accurate oven thermometer. Understanding how your oven works can help you improve your baking and roasting skills, and eliminate those annoying hot spots that can cause havoc with cakes, cookies and other baked goods.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an important part of your oven. It assists in ensuring that the temperature of food corresponds to the temperature you set on the control panel. However, just like any other electronic mechanical switch or sensor it can have issues that cause the oven to over or under heat, or just not be able to maintain the temperature you've set.
The oven thermostat is basically a small strip made of two different metals that are joined. When exposed to heat, the various metals expand and contract at different rates, making or breaking an electrical circuit. When the metal in the thermostat reaches 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 contracts, re-establishing the circuit and turning on the heating element. This process is repeated repeatedly to ensure a constant oven temperature.
To identify a problem with the thermostat, you'll have to remove the oven and make sure that all screws holding it in place have been removed. If you own a multimeter (which is a device that measures the electrical current), set it to the ohms level and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter displays zero or close to zero it means that the thermostat is working properly and doesn't need to be changed.
If the multimeter does not detect anything then the thermostat is not working properly. It is time to get it replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a thermostat of the same type as the old one. They are available through the internet or at a kitchen goods store, and are available at a reasonable price.
Bake Element
Ovens are not complete without the bake element which provides heat to make your oven cook food. It's an easy component that transforms electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting, and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges typically include heating elements that are either visible or hidden under the floor.
In general, oven heating elements are made from high-resistance components like nickel-chromium alloy. They convert electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance, which then radiates throughout the oven interior to raise the temperature to the desired level to cook different kinds of food.
When you switch on your oven the heating element starts to produce heat through the high-voltage electricity that flows across its metallic surface. The element is a coil or ribbon (straight or corrugated) of wire, and as the electric current flows through it, it starts to increase in temperature. The element will turn red hot when it is at the desired temperature.
The baked element is the main source of heat in all oven functions. It is typically located at the in the bottom of the oven. A lot of ovens that are automated also utilize it for self-cleaning. You might notice that the oven does not warm up as quickly, or that your food hasn't been fully cooked.
Plug your multimeter in to its black and red ports. Then, touch Best ovens on one end of the element against each other. Place the other end against one of its terminals and then place your hands on it to feel whether the baking element is warm to the contact. If not, remove it and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element, which is usually found at the top of the cavity, offers high heat to brown or char foods. The broil setting of your oven is a great option for quickly grilling meat, crisping vegetables, reheating lasagna, or making caramel on top of the casserole.
The broiler heating element is comparable to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy via resistance into heat. It is made up of an internal core of wires made of metal wrapped in an insulating expanded perlite material. The inner core is encased in an outer layer of stainless steel, which protects the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design helps lower the temperature of the broil element, making it safer than the older models.
While you are able to use any baking or broiling heating element in your oven, it is important to choose one that is in line with the wattage that is recommended for your oven. A different wattage can cause damage to your oven or cause it to overheat. You can check the wattage of your oven and the rating of the new heating element by checking their voltage and current ratings on the oven's control panel.
It is also advisable to check the resistance of your previous element and compare it with the wattage of your new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance, the greater the power that an oven element draws from.
Replace the element in your broiler immediately if it is not working or is acting up. It's important that your oven function properly so that you can cook all your favorite foods. If your oven does not operate in any way, or just intermittently then the problem may be with another part.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven light helps you keep an eye on your food as it cooks, without having to open the door and let heat escape. The light will also notify you when the casserole has been cooked. It's not uncommon for the bulb to go out. It can be a hassle, but you can do it yourself. Check that the breaker is not tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
Remove the old bulb and then look for the new bulb. It is possible to search the internet for a replacement that matches the wattage and the type of your oven. Some ovens use standard 40-watt appliance bulbs, while others require a halogen bulb up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oil in your hands could damage the halogen bulb, so it is recommended to use cotton gloves when handling it.
Remove the glass casing of the bulb prior to replacing it. It is important to do slowly to avoid breaking it. Then, you'll need to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with the mixture. This ensures a longer life for the filament.
If your bulb keeps being replaced, it could be a bigger electrical problem that needs to be addressed by an expert. Verify that you're using the correct oven bulb and check your Use and Care Guide to get more help in troubleshooting. And remember that it's always recommended to unplug your oven and disconnect the power from the outlet prior to you begin any repair. This will help prevent being shocked by electricity.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is a crucial oven component because it allows a small amount of airflow inside the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven, ensuring that the temperature is distributed evenly.
It also allows the vapors that are released from the oven to escape as well as allows smoke to be removed from the cooking surface. It is crucial for the proper operation of any gas or electric oven.
Vents in ovens can get clogged or blocked by several reasons. Accidental spills or splatters can leave sticky residues on oven vents. They may draw in dust, debris and other contaminants that could cause obstructions in the course of time. Grease and oil particles may be blown into the air and settle around the vents, too. Other environmental factors, like kitchen construction and renovations, could introduce dust and other contaminants into the vents, resulting in clogs or blockages.
Depending on the oven model the vent tube could include the bottle guide 20 or spreader 46 as well as a fill tip 12 that are formed by the pipe 32. For instance, the bottle guide 20 may have a tapered outer surface that compliments the complementarily tapered inside of the spreader 46, allowing the vent tube to be smoothly fitted into various sizes and designs of bottle necks.
A blocked or clogged vent tube can result in an increase in pressure within the enclosing structure, which could result in a downdraft which pulls exhaust down vent and then backwards over the oven burners, causing damage to oven components. If you think that your vent tube is clogged or blocked, contact an expert for assistance. They will determine the cause and make recommendations on how to clean or clean the vent.