What Is Oven And Why Is Everyone Speakin' About It?
How to Repair Common Oven Parts
Oven is a common kitchen appliance used to cook food. The heat from the oven sterilizes food items and kills the majority of microorganisms.
Every baker needs an accurate oven thermometer. Understanding how your oven functions will help improve your baking cooking, roasting and cooking skills. It will also eliminate the annoying hot spots that can ruin cakes, cookies and baked products.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an important element of your oven. It helps to ensure that the temperature of food corresponds to the temperature that you set on the control panel. However, just like hobs or sensor, it may have issues that result in the oven going over heat or under heat, or just not be able to maintain the temperature you've set.
The oven thermostat is an extremely small strip of two different metals that are joined. When heated by the oven, the metals expand or flex at different rates. This creates an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature that you have set on your control panel, it will shut off heating element's power. As the oven cools down the bimetallic strip contract, re-establishing the circuit and activating the heating element. This cycle is constantly repeated to ensure a constant temperature in your oven.
To determine if there is a problem with the thermostat you'll need to disconnect the oven and verify that all screws holding it in place have been removed. If you own a multimeter (which is a device that detects electrical current) set it to the ohms setting, and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or close to it, then the thermostat is operating properly and doesn't need to be replaced.
If the multimeter does not read anything at all, then the thermostat is faulty and must be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with one of the same model as the one you have. These thermostats are available at a reasonable cost online or at a kitchen goods shop.
Bake Element
Ovens can't be complete without the bake element, which is the element that heats up to help your oven cook food. It's a simple component that converts electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting and broiling. Electric ovens and ranges usually contain heating elements, which can be exposed or hidden beneath the floor.
Generally, oven heating elements are made from high-resistance materials like nickel-chromium alloy. They convert electrical energy into heat by the process of resistance which then radiates throughout the oven's interior, causing it to increase the temperature to the desired level to cook various types of food.
When you switch on the oven the heating elements start to produce heat through the high-voltage current flowing across the metal surface. The element is a coil or ribbon (straight or corrugated) of wire, and when the electric current passes through it, it starts to get hotter. The element will appear red hot when it is at the desired temperature.
The baked element is the primary source of heat for most oven functions. It's usually located at the in the bottom of the oven. A lot of ovens that are automated also utilize it to clean themselves. When it starts to smoke, you might be noticing that your oven doesn't warm as quickly or your food is not cooked through completely.
To check for a working oven baking element plug your multimeter into its red and black ports, then rub the probes made of steel against each other on one side of your device. Place the other end against one of its terminals, and put your hand on it to feel whether the element is warm to the touch. If not, take it off and try again.
Broil Element
The broil element is usually located in the upper part of the oven cavity and provides high-temperature heat similar to a grill to cook or brown food. The broil setting in your oven is a great option for quickly searing meat or vegetables, crisping them up, reheating lasagna or caramelizing the top of a casserole.
The broiler heating element is similar to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy through resistance into heat. It consists of an inner core of wires that are wrapped in an insulating expanded perlite product. 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 design helps to lower the temperature of the broil element, making it safer than older styles.
You can use any heating element you want to use for baking or broiling in your oven. But, you must select one that matches the wattage that your oven is rated for. 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 located on the control panel of your oven. This allows you to determine the wattage and rating of your oven.
Check the resistance of the previous element, and then compare it to the wattage ratings of the new one. The higher the resistance of an oven element, the more power it draws.
Replace the element in your broiler immediately If it's not working or if it is acting up. Your oven needs to function properly to to cook your favourite meals. If your oven isn't working at all or only intermittently, the issue could lie with another part of your oven.
Light Bulb and Assembly
The oven light helps keep an eye on the food as it cooks, without having to open the door and let heat escape. The light will also let you know when the casserole is done. It's not uncommon for the bulb to die. It can be a hassle, but you can do it yourself. Check that the breaker isn't tripped and that the connector has three prongs.
First, take out the light bulb that was in use and locate the new one. You may need to look online for the right replacement bulb that matches the wattage of your oven. Some ovens utilize normal 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 a halogen bulb, so consider using cotton gloves when handling it.
Remove the glass casing of the bulb before you replace it. You should do this slowly to avoid breaking it. Then, you'll need to evacuate the air inside the bulb and fill it up with a mixture of gases. This ensures a longer life for the filament.
If your light bulb is always blinking, it could be a wider electrical problem that needs to be addressed by an expert. Be sure to double check that you're using the correct bulb for your oven, and check out your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting tips. Be sure to unplug your oven and shut off the power prior to beginning any repairs. This will prevent you from getting an electric shock.
Vent Tube
The vent tube is an important oven part as it allows for a tiny amount of airflow to be created inside the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat around the oven and ensures that the temperature is evenly distributed.
It also allows the vapors that are released from the oven to escape as well as allows smoke to be drawn away from the cooking surface. It is crucial for the efficient operation of any gas or electric oven.
Oven vent tubes may become clogged by a variety of factors. Accidental spills or splatters may leave sticky residues on oven vents. They may attract dust, debris and other contaminants that can cause blockages over time. Grease and oil particles may become airborne and settle on the vents, as well. Other environmental factors, like kitchen construction and renovations, can introduce dust and other contaminants into the vents, which can cause blockages or clogs.
Based on the type of the oven the vent tube may comprise a spreader 46, an fill tip 12 and a bottle guide 20 that are integrated into the pipe 32. The bottle guide 20 may have a tapered outer edge that is complemented by the tapered inside edge of the spreader, allowing the vent tubes to be inserted effortlessly into various sizes and shapes bottle necks.
A blocked vent tube could cause a reduction in pressure within the enclosure, which can cause a downdraft that pulls exhaust backwards and down the vent, causing damage to the oven components. If you think that the vent tube in your oven is clogged or blocked, call a professional for help. They will determine the cause and offer suggestions for removing or cleaning the vent.