The Under-Appreciated Benefits Of 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 food and kills the majority of microorganisms.
A precise oven thermometer is a necessity for all bakers. Understanding how your oven functions can help you improve your baking cooking, roasting and cooking abilities. It can also help you avoid those annoying hot spots which can cause damage to cakes, cookies and baked goods.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an important component of your oven. It helps to ensure that the temperature of food corresponds to the temperature you have set on the control panel. It can be problematic as with any other sensor or switch that is electro-mechanical. The oven may overheat or underheat, or not keep the temperature you have set.
The oven thermostat is basically a small strip made of two different metals that are joined. When exposed to heat the different metals expand and bend at different rates, creating 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 it expands the bimetallic strip in a circuit, re-establishing it and turning on heating element. This process continues to ensure that the temperature remains constant in your oven.
To identify a problem with the thermostat, you'll need to disconnect the oven and verify 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 0 or very close to it, then the thermostat is working correctly and doesn't require to be replaced.
If the multimeter does not show anything it means that the thermostat is defective. It needs to be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a thermostat of the same type as the old one. They can be purchased through the internet or at an appliance store and can be purchased at a reasonable cost.
Bake Element
The bake element is essential to the functioning of your oven. It provides the heat needed to cook food. It's a simple element that converts electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting, and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges often contain heating elements, which can be exposed or hidden under the floor.
In general oven heating elements comprise of high-resistance elements such as nickel-chromium. They work by converting electrical energy into heat through the process of resistance, which radiates outwards into the oven's interior to raise the temperature to the desired level for cooking different types of foods.
When you turn on the oven the heating elements start to produce heat through the high-voltage current that flows across the surface of the metal. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire. When the electric current flows through it, it starts to heat up. When the element reaches the temperature it is intended to it starts to glow red hot.
The baked element is the main source of heat for most oven functions. It's typically located in the bottom of the oven, and is used to clean the oven in a variety of ovens that are automatic. You may notice that the oven doesn't warm up as quickly, or that your food isn't fully cooked.
To check for a working oven baking element, plug your multimeter into its black and red ports, then rub the probes made of steel 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 start testing again. If not, take it off the element and start testing again.
Broil Element
The broil element is usually located at the top of your oven and can provide high-temperature heat similar to a grill to cook or brown food. The oven's broil setting can be an excellent way to quickly grill 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 is composed of an inner core made up of wires made of metal, encased in an insulating expanded product known as perlite. The inner core is 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 durable and safer than older types of elements.
While you are able to use any heating element in your oven, you should choose one that is in line with the rated wattage of your oven. Using 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 examine the power and rating of your oven.
It is also advisable to check the resistance of your previous element and compare it to the power of the new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance of an oven element the greater power it draws from it.
If your broiler heating element is not working or functions in any way, you should replace it immediately. It's important that your oven functions properly so that you can cook all your favorite foods. If your oven does not work at all, or only intermittently, the issue may be in a different part.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven light lets you keep an eye on the food while it cooks without having to open the door to let heat escape. The light will also notify you when the casserole is finished. But it's not uncommon for the light to fail. It can be a hassle however, it's an simple fix that you can tackle yourself. Make sure that the breaker isn't tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
First, take out the old light bulb and locate the new one. You may need to search the internet for the right replacement bulb that matches the wattage of your oven. Some ovens have standard appliances with bulbs of 40 watts and others require lamps that are halogen up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oils from your hands can damage the halogen bulb, so you should use cotton gloves when handling it.
Remove the glass casing of the bulb before you replace it. It is important to take this step slowly to ensure that you don't fracture it. Then, you'll need to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with a mixture. This will provide a longer life for the filament.
If your bulb keeps being replaced, it may be a larger electrical issue that should be dealt with by an expert. Be sure to double check that you're using a correct bulb for your oven, and consult your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting tips. Be sure to unplug your oven and shut off the power before you start any repairs. This will keep you from suffering an electric shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is a crucial oven component because it allows for a small amount of airflow to be created inside 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 escape from the oven and smoke to be drawn from the cooking surface. It is necessary to ensure the proper operation of any gas or electric oven.
Oven vent tubes may become blocked 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 could eventually cause blockages or clogs in the course of time. Oil and grease particles can become airborne and settle around the vents, as well. Other environmental factors such as construction and kitchen renovations can introduce dust into the vents. This can cause clogs.
Depending on the oven model the vent tube could include the bottle guide 20, spreader 46 and fill tip 12 that are integrally formed by the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 can have a tapered outer edge that is complemented by the tapered inner edge of the spreader to allow the vent tubes to slide smoothly into different sizes and shapes of bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube could cause a loss in pressure within the enclosure, which can cause an updraft that pulls exhaust backwards and then down the vent, causing damage to the oven components. If you suspect that your vent tube is blocked or blocked, contact a professional for help. They will determine the cause and give suggestions for clearing or cleaning the vent.