An oven is one of the key kitchen appliances. An oven that is not working properly might cause a lot of inconvenience by not allowing you to cook certain meals or by ruining them. Moreover, a faulty electric oven can be dangerous, as it can start a fire.
The procedure of troubleshooting your oven will require only a few tools:
safety work gloves.
It is essential that you wear a pair of protective gloves while working with electric appliances.
Electric Oven Temperature Problems
Overheating is a common problem that can appear after using an oven for some time. You can see that the oven overheats when it becomes unable to keep the right temperature and goes above settings. A temperature sensor is a part that controls the temperature. In case your oven continues to heat up even after it reaches the necessary degree, this could mean that the sensor is at fault.
Symptoms of Bad Oven Temperature Sensor
The best sign that indicates problems with heating is the way your meals are cooked. When the temperature sensor is not functioning properly, your food might cook too quickly and become burned by the time you have to take it out. Another sign of a faulty sensor is that your meals cook unevenly. If specific parts are burned and others still remain raw, that means incorrect temperature.
Fixing Temperature Sensor
Before attempting this repair, make sure to cut electricity from the oven. Such a high voltage can be extremely dangerous. Look inside the oven for the temperature sensor. Usually, it can be found on the rear wall closer to the top. Test the sensor with a multimeter. You can find the standard resistance rate for your model in the manual that came with it. If the rates do not match, the problem is likely to be in this part. Buy a replacement and install it.
Oven Control Thermostat
This part is important for controlling baking processes. It switches under the influence of the right temperature. In some cases, the thermostat can be the reason for your meals not cooking properly.
In order to find the location of this part, you should consult with the handbook. The placement might differ from model to model. Test it with a multimeter as well. In case the rates are different from the norm, you should purchase a new thermostat instead of this one.
Sometimes thermostat knobs can loosen up. Make sure they are secured tightly in their places. When they become loose, the temperature settings might get inaccurate.
Another cause of overheating might be a defective or damaged thermostat bulb. It can also become loose or get damaged over time. You can check with the handbook for the exact location of this part. Inspect it for the signs of damage. In case it is broken, buy a replacement.
Various dirt, grease, and food debris can build up inside the oven when you are cooking. It is advised to clean your appliance regularly. Sometimes dirt might prevent the thermostat from working properly. Take it out and clean it. This might solve the problem.
An oven vent can also get obstructed with grease and food particles. This blockage can prevent the part from circulating air properly. Make sure to remove any dirt and grease. After that, you can see if the problem is fixed.
The heating element can also become damaged over time. Try examining it visually for the signs of damage. However, when the issue is in the heating element, the damage often is not visible, because it is hidden inside.
A specific speed of the fan is required to keep the right temperature level. If the fan is not working or you can hear unusual noises coming from it, it might be damaged. If you can visually see some burned parts or the fan is not working at all, you will have to replace it.
This part connects the thermostat and the heating element. In case it starts malfunctioning, it can send false signals to the thermostat. You might have to consult with the manual in order to find out how to access the switch. It is usually hidden behind the panel. You can replace a faulty switch.