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How to Repair Common Oven Parts The oven is a kitchen appliance that is commonly used to cook food. The heat of the oven sterilizes food and kills the majority of microorganisms. A reliable oven thermometer is an essential for bakers of all kinds. Knowing how your oven works will help improve your baking cooking, roasting and cooking skills. It can also help you avoid the annoying hot spots that can ruin cookies, cakes and baked products. 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 the temperature you've set on your control panel. Unfortunately, like any other electro mechanical switch or sensor it can sometimes have problems that result in the oven going over heat or under heat, or not be able to maintain the temperature you've set. The oven thermostat is tiny strips of two different metals bonded together. When heated, 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 your control panel, it will shut off power to the heater. As the oven cools, the bimetallic strips contract, re-establishing circuit and turning on heating element. This process is repeated over and over to ensure a constant temperature within your oven. The oven must be disconnected and all screws removed to identify the problem with the thermostat. If you have a multimeter (which is a tool that measures the electrical current) set it to the ohms setting and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads zero or very close to it the thermostat is operating properly and doesn't need to be replaced. If the multimeter does not read anything, it's likely that the thermostat is not working properly and requires replacement. Cooker Spare Parts suggests that you replace your thermostat with a similar type as the previous one. They can be purchased through the internet or at the kitchen store, and are available at a reasonable cost. Bake Element Ovens aren't complete without the bake element, which creates heat to make your oven cook food. It's a simple element that converts electricity into high temperatures for baking, roasting, and broiling. Heating elements are typically found in electric ranges and ovens and are either uncovered or hidden under the floor of the oven. Generally, oven heating elements are constructed 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 degree for cooking different types of foods. When you turn on the oven the heating elements begin to generate heat by the high-voltage current that flows across the metal's surface. The element is a ribbon or coil (straight or corrugated) of wire, and when the electric current flows through it, it begins to increase in temperature. The element will appear red hot when it is at the desired temperature. The baked element is the main source of heat in most oven functions. It's typically located at the bottom of the oven, and is used for the self-cleaning feature in many automatic oven models. You might be noticing that your oven doesn't warm up as quickly, or that 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, and then place the probes made of metal against each other on the opposite side of your device. The other end should be placed against one of its terminals and place your hand on it to feel whether the element is warm to the contact. If it's not, take off the element and test again. Broil Element The broil element is usually situated in the top of the oven's cavity and produces high heat like grills to brown or char food items. The oven's broil setting is an excellent way to quickly cook meat crisp vegetables, heat lasagna, or caramelize the topping of the casserole. Similar to the bake element, the broiler heating element transforms electrical energy into heat via the process of resistance. It consists of an inner core of wires that are wrapped in insulating perlite material. The inner core of the element is covered with an outer layer of stainless steel to protect the wires against direct contact with the oven. The three-layer design helps to reduce the temperature of the broil element, making it safer than older designs. You can use any heating element for baking or broiling in your oven. However, you should 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 new heating elements are available on the control panel of your oven. This will allow you to examine the ratings and wattage of your oven. Check the resistance of the old element, then compare it to the wattage ratings of the new element. The higher the resistance, the more the power that an oven element draws from. Replace the broiler element as soon as possible in the event that it isn't working or if it is acting up. It is crucial for your oven to function properly to cook all of your favorite food items. If your oven isn't functioning at all, or is only working intermittently, the issue could be with a different part of your oven. Light Bulb and Assembly The light lets you monitor your food as it cooks without opening the door and let heat escape. The light also informs you when your casserole is ready. It's not uncommon for the bulb to die. It can be a hassle however, it's an simple fix that you can do yourself. Before you begin, be sure that the breaker hasn't been tripped and that the three-prong connector is in good condition. Remove the old bulb and then find the new one. You may need to look online to find the correct replacement bulb that is compatible with the wattage of your oven. Some ovens utilize standard appliance bulbs that are 40 watts in power some require an halogen lamp that can reach 50 watts. Be aware that the oil in your hands can damage a halogen bulb, so consider using cotton gloves when handling it. Before putting the new bulb in You must first remove it from its glass casing. It is important to do this slowly to avoid breaking it. You'll have to remove the air from the bulb and replace it with an appropriate mixture. This will ensure a longer lifespan of the filament. If your bulb keeps running out, it could be an electrical issue that requires a professional to fix. Make sure you're using the correct oven bulb and consult your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting advice. Make sure to unplug the oven and shut off the power prior to beginning any repairs. This will help protect your from electrical shock. Vent Tube The vent tube is an important oven component that allows for a small airflow inside the cavity. This allows the bake element to circulate heat around the oven and ensures the temperature is evenly dispersed. It also allows the vapors escape from the oven and smoke to be drawn from the cooking surface. It is crucial for the proper operation of any electric or gas oven. Oven vent tubes may become blocked due to a variety of factors. Accidental spills or splatters while cooking can leave sticky residues on oven vents, which could attract dust and other particles which can lead to blockages or clogs over time. Grease and oil particles can become airborne and settle around the vents, and vice versa. Other environmental factors, such as kitchen construction and renovations, can bring dust or other pollutants into the vents, resulting in obstructions or clogs. Based on the oven model the vent tube may include a bottle guide 20 or spreader 46 as well as a fill tip 12 that are constructed with the pipe 32. For example the bottle guide 20 could have a tapered outer layer which is in harmony with the tapered inner surface of the spreader 46. This allows the vent tube to be effortlessly placed into various sizes and shapes of bottle necks. A clogged vent tube can cause a decrease in pressure within the enclosure, which could cause an updraft that pulls exhaust backwards and then down the vent, causing damage to the oven components. Consult a professional if believe that your vent might be blocked or clogged. They will determine the cause and make recommendations on how to clear or clean the vent.