15 Shocking Facts About Oven You've Never Seen

How to Repair Common Oven Parts Ovens are an appliance in the kitchen that is used to cook food. The heat produced by the oven sterilizes food items and kills most of the micro-organisms that are present in them. Every baker needs an accurate oven thermometer. Knowing how your oven functions will help improve your baking and roasting skills, and eliminate those annoying hot spots that can cause havoc with cakes, cookies and other baked goods. Thermostat The thermostat is an important component of your oven. It is used to ensure that the temperature of food is in line with the temperature you set on the control panel. However, just like any other electronic mechanical switch or sensor, it can sometimes have problems that cause the oven to over or under heat, or not be able to maintain the temperature you've set. The oven thermostat is basically an extremely small strip of two different metals bonded together. When exposed to heat the different metals expand and bend at different rates, making or breaking an electrical circuit. When the metal in your thermostat reaches the temperature that you set on your control panel it will shut off the power to the heater. As the oven cools, the bimetallic strip contracts, re-establishing the circuit and activating the heating element. This process is repeated over and over to maintain a constant temperature within your oven. It is necessary to disconnect the oven and all screws removed to identify a thermostat problem. If you have a multimeter (which is a tool that measures the electrical current) set it to the ohms level and then test the thermostat. If the multimeter reads 0 or very close to it the thermostat is functioning properly and doesn't require to be replaced. If the multimeter doesn't read anything at all, then the thermostat is not working properly and needs to be replaced. Cooker Spare Parts recommends that you replace the thermostat with a fresh one of the same type as the one you have. They are available through the internet or at a kitchen goods store, and can be purchased at a reasonable price. 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 usually found in electric ranges and ovens and are either covered or concealed under the oven's floor. In general oven heating elements comprise of high-resistance elements like nickel-chromium. They convert electricity into heat through resistance. This heat is then radiated through the oven's interior to reach the temperature required to cook different kinds of food. When you turn on the oven, the heating elements begin to produce heat through the high-voltage current that flows across the metal's surface. When electricity runs through it the element gets heated up. When the element reaches its desired temperature it starts to glow red hot. The baked element is the primary source of heat for most oven functions. It's usually located at the bottom of the oven. Many automatic oven models also use it for self-cleaning. When it starts to smoke you may be noticing that your oven doesn't warm as quickly or your food isn't fully cooked. To verify that you have a working oven baking element connect your multimeter to its red and black ports, then touch the probes made of metal against each other on one end of the element. The other end should be placed against one of its terminals, and put your hand on it to feel whether the element is warm to the touch. If it's not, remove the element and try again. Broil Element The broil element is typically situated in the upper part of the oven cavity and provides the same high temperature as a grill to roast or grill food. Broil settings in ovens are ideal for quick grill meat or crisp vegetables, to heat up lasagna or caramelize the top of the casserole. The broiler heating element has a similarity to the bake element in that it converts electrical energy via resistance into heat. It is made up of an inner core comprised of metal wires, which are wrapped in an insulating, expanded material called perlite. The inner core of the element is then covered with a stainless steel outer layer to shield the wires from direct contact with the oven. The three-layer structure helps lower the temperature of the broil element which makes it safer and more efficient than the older designs of elements. While you are able to use any baking or broiling heating element in your oven, it is important to choose one that matches the wattage rating of your oven. A different wattage could damage your oven or cause it to overheat. The current and voltage ratings of the latest heating elements are available on the control panel of your oven. This will allow you to examine the ratings and wattage of your oven. You should also test the resistance of your previous element and compare it with the power output of your new broiler heating element. The higher the resistance, the greater power an oven element uses. If your broiler heating element is acting up or doesn't work at all, you must replace it right away. It's important that your oven functions correctly to be able to cook all of your favorite food items. If your oven does not function at all, or only intermittently then the problem may be in a different part. Light Bulb and Assembly The oven light helps keep an eye on your food while it cooks without opening the door and let heat escape. The light will also notify you when the casserole is finished. But it's not uncommon for the light to go out. It can be quite frustrating, but you can fix it yourself. Make sure that the breaker is not tripped and that the connector has three prongs. Remove the old bulb, and then look for the new bulb. It is possible to search the internet for the right replacement bulb that is compatible with the wattage of your oven. Some appliances use standard 40-watt bulbs, while others require a halogen bulb up to 50 watts. Be aware that the oil in your hands can cause damage to a halogen bulb, so consider using cotton gloves when handling it. Before putting the new bulb in place, you should first remove it from its glass casing. It's crucial to do this slowly so that you don't break it. Then, you'll need to evacuate the air inside the bulb and fill it with a mixture of gases. This will prolong the filament life. If ovens and hobs uk is always going out it could be due to an electrical problem that requires an expert to fix it. Make sure you double-check that you're using the right bulb for your oven and check out your Use and Care Guide for more troubleshooting tips. Be sure to unplug your oven and turn off the power before beginning any repairs. This will prevent you from getting an electric shock. Vent Tube The vent tube is an essential oven part as it allows for a small amount of airflow to be created within the cavity. This permits the bake element to circulate heat throughout the oven, making sure that the temperature is evenly distributed. It also allows vapors from the oven to escape, and also allows smoke to be drawn away from the cooking surface. It is vital for the efficient operation of any gas or electric oven. Vents for ovens can become clogged or blocked by several reasons. Accidental spills or splatters could leave sticky residues on oven vents. These can draw in dust, debris and other contaminants that could cause blockages in the course of time. Grease and oil particles may be blown into the air and settle around the vents, and vice versa. Other environmental factors, such as kitchen renovations and construction work can introduce dust or other contaminants into the vents, leading to clogs or blockages. Based on the type of the oven the vent tube may include a spreader 46, an fill tip 12 and an a bottle guide 20 that are integrated into the pipe 32. For example the bottle guide 20 might have a tapered outer layer that compliments the complementarily tapered inner surface of the spreader 46, allowing the vent tube to be easily fitted into various sizes and shapes of bottle necks. A clogged or blocked vent tube could cause the loss of pressure inside the enclosing structure. This can result in a downdraft that pulls exhaust down the vent and backwards towards the oven's burners, causing damage to oven components. Consult a professional if you believe that your vent may be clogged or blocked. They will diagnose the problem and provide recommendations for removing or cleaning the vent.