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How to Repair Common Oven Parts
The oven is an appliance in the kitchen that is commonly used to cook food. The heat generated by the oven sterilizes food items and kills most of the micro-organisms that are present in them.
All bakers require an accurate oven thermometer. Knowing how your oven functions will help 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 among the most important parts of your oven, assisting to make sure that the temperature of your food is in line with what you've set in the control panel. Unfortunately, like any other electro mechanical switch or sensor, it can have issues that cause the oven to over heat or under heat, or simply not be able to keep the temperature you've set.
The oven thermostat is basically an extremely small strip of two different metals that are bonded together. 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 that you set on the control panel it will shut off power to the heater. When the oven cools down, the bimetallic strip contracts in a way, reestablishing the circuit and activating the heating element. This cycle is constantly repeated to ensure a constant temperature in your oven.
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 tool that measures electrical current), set it to the ohms level and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter displays zero or close to zero the thermostat is operating correctly and doesn't require to be changed.
If the multimeter doesn't show anything, the thermostat is faulty. It must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a new one of the same type as the one you have. They are available online or at the kitchen store, and are available at a reasonable cost.
Bake Element
Ovens can't be complete without the bake element, which creates heat to make your oven cook food. It's a simple component that transforms electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges typically contain heating elements, which can be either exposed or hidden beneath the floor.
In general, oven heating elements consist of high-resistance elements like nickel-chromium. They convert electrical energy into heat using resistance. The heat then radiates through the interior of the oven to achieve the desired temperature to cook various types of food.
When you start the oven, the heating elements begin to generate heat by the high-voltage current flowing across the metal surface. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire, and as the electric current passes through it, it starts to increase in temperature. The element will turn red hot when it reaches the temperature you want.
The baked element is the main source of heat in all oven functions. It's usually located in the bottom of the oven and is used to perform the self-cleaning function in a variety of ovens that are automatic. When it begins to smoke 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 black and red ports, then rub the metal probes against each other on one end of your element. The other end should be placed against one of its terminals, and place your hand on it to test whether the baking element is warm to the contact. If it's not, take off the element and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element, which is usually located on the top of the cavity, provides high heat to cook or char foods. Broil settings in ovens are an excellent way to quickly grill meat crisp vegetables, heat lasagna or caramelize the top of a casserole.
The broiler heating element is similar 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 insulating perlite material. The inner core is then encased in an outer layer of stainless steel to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer structure helps reduce the temperature of the broil element which makes it more secure and efficient than the older designs of elements.
While you may use any baking or broiling heating element in your oven, make sure to select one that is compatible with the rated wattage of your oven. A different wattage can damage your oven, or cause it to overheat. The current and voltage ratings of the latest heating elements can be found on the control panel of your oven. This will allow you to check the wattage and rating of your oven.
It is also advisable to check the resistance of your previous element and compare it to the wattage of your new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance, the greater the power that an oven element draws from.
If your broiler's heating element is malfunctioning or isn't working at all, you must replace it immediately. It's important that your oven functions properly so that you can cook all your favorite foods. If, however, your oven is not working at all, or is only working intermittently, the issue could lie with another part of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The light lets you keep an eye on the food that is cooking without opening the door and letting heat escape. The light also lets you know when the casserole is ready. But it's not uncommon for the light bulb to go out. It can be a hassle, but it's a relatively easy repair that you can do yourself. Before you begin, make sure that the breaker hasn't tripped and that the three-prong connector is in good condition.
Take out the old bulb and then locate the new one. It is possible to look online for a replacement that matches the wattage and type of your oven. Some appliances use standard 40-watt bulbs, while others require a halogen bulb up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oil from your hands could damage the halogen bulb, so you should use cotton gloves when handling it.
Before you place the new bulb into place, you should first remove it from its glass casing. It is important to do this slowly so that you don't break it. You'll then need to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with an appropriate mixture. This will extend the filament life.
If your bulb keeps blinking, it could be an electrical issue that needs the assistance of a professional. Make sure you're using the correct oven bulb and check your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting advice. Be sure to unplug your oven and turn off the power before you start any repairs. This will protect you from electrical shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is a vital oven part that allows for an airflow within the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven and ensures the temperature is evenly distributed.
It also allows the vapors to escape from the oven, and smoke to be drawn from the cooking surface. It is essential for proper functioning of any electric or gas oven.
Oven vent tubes can become blocked or clogged due to a variety of reasons. Accidental spills or splatters may leave sticky residues on oven vents. They can draw in dust, debris and other contaminants that can cause blockages over time. Oil and grease particles can become airborne and settle around the vents, and vice versa. Other environmental factors, such as kitchen renovations and construction work can introduce dust or other contaminants into the vents, resulting in blockages or clogs.
Depending on the model of the oven the vent tube could comprise a spreader 46 and an fill tip 12 and an a bottle guide 20 that are integrated into the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 could 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.
here are the findings blocked vent tube could cause a loss in pressure within the enclosure, which can lead to a downdraft that pulls exhaust forward and down the vent, damaging the oven components. Contact a professional if you believe that your vent might be blocked or clogged. They will diagnose the issue and offer suggestions on how to remove or clean the vent.