Following the recipe to the hilt, you mix all the ingredients and are now ready to put the cake into the oven. You turn it on – and nothing happens. There is nothing more frustrating than finding your oven malfunctioning just as you were about to use it. However, if you are a DIY person, finding the fault and fixing the oven may not be a very daunting task. Gas, electric ranges and ovens are fairly simple in their operating systems. Understanding the basics of how each part functions given in this repairs guide will help you in fixing them.
A word of caution
Safety first - before attempting any inspection or repairs to your oven, please ensure that it is unplugged. Close the gas supply valve – if you can remove the connection from the oven, even better. If you have an electric oven, remove the plug from the mains. Merely switching it off is not enough. Keep children and pets away from the area and ensure that you have the correct tools on hand.
Basic inspection
Before you start dismantling the oven, there are a few points mentioned in the repairs guide that you need to check out first. In case you own a gas oven, check the gas mains to ensure that your supply has not stopped. Similarly, in case of an electric oven, check the mains and the socket first. Expert Repairs oven repair guide explains that a noisy oven fan often means you need to replace the motor.
The heat is not on
One of the most common malfunctions in both types of ovens involves the heating elements. In a gas oven, this could be a problem of the oven igniter. The igniter draws electrical current through the safety valve in order to open it. As the gas flow starts, the igniter heats up and ignites the gas. If you have a faulty or weak igniter, you could have an oven that does not heat up.
In an electric oven, the problem could be with the connections at the element end of the element itself. Failure of the bake element in turning red after the oven has been switched on indicates an element problem. You will need to check both to see if there is any break in the connections between the electric wire and the element or in the element itself.
Malfunctioning broiler
That lovely golden crust on the turkey is courtesy the oven broiler. A broiler failure could be the result of three possible causes – faulty igniter, damaged broiler element, or a worn-out/broken spark electrode. Check each one to help diagnose the problem and follow the repairs guide for a proper solution.
Self-cleaning function not working
If your oven features a self-cleaning function which is not doing the job, it could be due to any of the following issues. An oven will only self-clean if the oven door is locked. A malfunctioning door lock will not allow this function to initiate. A malfunctioning thermostat could be a possible culprit. One possibility is that the thermostat could be functioning properly for cooking functions, but not for self-cleaning operations. Repairing or changing the thermostat requires a repair technician unless you are well versed with this type of work since a repairs guide alone may not sufficiently help you with all problems.
Another culprit could be a tripped thermal fuse. However, if the thermal fuse has tripped, it will shut down all power to the oven – not just the self-cleaning function. Since a thermal fuse cannot be reset after tripping, it will need to be replaced.
Way Forward
While D-I-Y methods can get you on the tip of your oven repairs with a repairs guide, it’s best to leave the job in the hands of experts. Hiring professionals in oven repair can help you get back your appliance working order – quickly and without any ado.
