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 most of the micro-organisms present in them.
All bakers require an accurate oven thermometer. Knowing how your oven works will help improve your baking cooking, roasting and cooking abilities. It will also eliminate those hot spots that can ruin cakes, cookies and baked products.
Thermostat
The thermostat is a crucial 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. It could be a problem, just like any other switch or sensor that is electro-mechanical. The oven could overheat or underheat, or simply not keep the temperature you have set.
The oven thermostat is a small strip of two different metals that are bonded. When heated by the oven, the metals expand or bend at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature you set on your control panel it will turn off the power to the heater. As the oven cools the bimetallic strips expand, re-establishing circuit and turning on the heating element. This process is repeated repeatedly to ensure a constant oven temperature.
The oven must be disconnected and all screws removed in order to determine the problem with the thermostat. If you have a multimeter (which is a device that analyzes electrical current), set it to the ohms setting and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or close to zero it means that the thermostat is working correctly and does not need to be replaced.
If the multimeter doesn't read anything, then the thermostat is faulty and must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a thermostat of the same model as the one you have. They can be purchased through the internet or at a kitchen goods store, and can be purchased at a reasonable price.
Bake Element
The bake element is vital for the proper operation of your oven. It generates heat that allows it to cook food. It's a basic element that converts electricity into the high temperatures required for baking, roasting and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges usually include heating elements that can be either exposed or hidden under the floor.
In general oven heating elements are made up of high-resistance metals such as nickel-chromium. They convert electrical energy into heat using resistance. This heat then radiates through the interior of the oven to attain the desired temperature to cook different kinds of food.
When you turn on the oven, the heating elements begin to produce heat through the high-voltage current flowing across the surface of the metal. ovens hobs Ovens & Hobs is a coil or ribbon (straight or corrugated) of wire. When the electric current flows through it, it begins to increase in temperature. When the element reaches its temperature it starts to glow red hot.
The baked element is the main source of heat for most oven functions. It's usually found at the bottom of the oven and is also used to clean the oven in many automatic oven models. You may be noticing that the oven doesn't heat up as quickly, or that your food hasn't been cooked to perfection.
To determine if you have a functioning oven baking element plug your multimeter into its red and black ports, and then place the metal probes against each other on one side of the element. Place the other end of the element on one terminal and then place your hand on it. If the element feels warm, remove it and test it again. If not, take it off and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element, typically located at the top of the cavity, allows high-temperature temperatures to brown or char food items. The oven's broil setting is a great way to quickly cook meat or crisp vegetables, to heat up lasagna or caramelize the top of the casserole.
Similar to the bake element, the broiler heating element converts electrical energy into heat through the process of resistance. It consists of an inner core of wires made of metal wrapped in an insulating expanded perlite material. The core of the element is then covered with a stainless steel outer layer to protect the wires against direct contact with the oven. The three-layer structure helps reduce the broil element's temperature making it more durable and safer than older types of elements.
While you are able to use any baking or broiling heating element in your oven, you should choose one that matches the wattage rating of your oven. Using a different wattage can cause damage to your oven or cause it to overheat. The voltage and current ratings of the latest heating elements can be found on the control panel of your oven. This allows you to determine the ratings and wattage of your oven.
Examine the resistance of the old element, and then compare it with the wattage rating of the new element. The greater the resistance, the more power an oven element uses.
If your broiler heating element is acting up or doesn't work at all, you must replace it as soon as possible. It is essential that your oven function properly so that you can cook all of your favorite foods. If, however, your oven is not working at all or only intermittently, the issue may be with a different part of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven light helps keep an eye on your food while it cooks without opening the door and let the heat escape. The light will also notify you when the casserole is done. It's not unusual for the bulb to go. It can be a hassle, but you can do it yourself. Before you begin, make sure that the breaker hasn't tripped and that the three-prong connector is intact.
Remove the old bulb and then look for the new bulb. It is possible to search the internet to find a replacement that matches the wattage and the type of oven you have. Some ovens utilize standard appliance bulbs that are 40 watts in power and others require an halogen lamp that can reach 50 watts. Be aware that the oils from your hands could damage the halogen bulb, so consider using cotton gloves when handling it.
Remove the glass casing of the bulb before replacing it. It's important to take this step slowly to ensure that you don't damage it. You'll have to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with a mixture. This will ensure a longer filament life.
If your bulb is always running out it could be an electrical problem that requires the assistance of a professional. Double check that you are using the correct oven bulb and look over your Use and Care Guide to find more troubleshooting advice. Remember that it's a good idea to unplug your oven and disconnect the power from the outlet before you start any repair. This will prevent you from suffering an electric shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an important oven component that permits an airflow within the cavity. This allows the bake-element to circulate heat throughout the oven, ensuring that the temperature is evenly distributed.
It also allows the vapors that are released from the oven to escape and allows smoke to be drawn away from the cooking surface. It is essential to ensure 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 the oven vents, which draw dust and other debris that could eventually cause blockages or clogs in the course of time. Grease and oil can also become airborne, and build up around vents. Other environmental factors such as kitchen and construction work can introduce dust into the vents. This can cause clogs.
Depending on the model of the oven, the vent tube can include a spreader 46, the fill tip 12, and an a bottle guide 20 that are incorporated into the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 can be fitted with a tapered outer edge that complements the tapered inner edge of the spreader, allowing the vent tubes to slide smoothly into different sizes and shapes bottle necks.
A clogged or blocked vent tube can cause the loss of pressure inside the structure that surrounds it, which can create a downdraft situation that pulls exhaust down the vent and backwards through the oven's burners, which can cause damage to the oven components. Consult a professional if you believe that your vent might be blocked or clogged. They will diagnose the problem and give suggestions for clearing or cleaning the vent.