Whether you are a long time owner of a gas or electric oven and have just noticed a problem or you are considering getting one, then there’s one big question you might have in regards to your new purchase: “How easy are they to repair?”
The answer to this question is that a lot of the typical problems that an oven may have are actually quite simple to repair. Ovens are designed in a fairly simple way, with components that are intended to be quickly fitted and easily replaceable. Of course, not all problems will be able to be solved by a home repair, but we can have a look at some of the more common issues you are likely to encounter with your oven. For critical problems, you should call over repair professional.
Safety First
First things first, you should only attempt to repair a component of your oven if you are absolutely certain of what you are doing. If you are inexperienced with performing this type of task, you should seek out the help of a professional. Additionally, you should always ensure that you are obeying basic safety principles. For example, whenever working on an electric oven, ensure beyond all doubt that it is disconnected from the power. Similarly for gas ovens, ensure that the gas supply is closed and that the oven is disconnected from it. As an extra safety precaution, remember to find and follow the instructions to the letter for your specific oven model.
Problem: Malfunctioning Oven Door
The simplest but hardest to diagnose problem to have with an oven, since one of the symptoms may be a loss of heat which can be mistaken for other problems, is that your oven door will no longer close properly or is defective in some way, allowing heat to leave the oven. It’s easy to see why this would become a problem, considering how often a door is likely to be opened and closed over the ovens total lifespan. Luckily in most ovens this will be an easy problem to fix, likely only requiring the replacement of some hinges or seals.
Problem: No Heat or Irregular Heat
The most likely problem to have with an oven, and by far the most infuriating and inconvenient one, is an oven that simply will not produce any heat. Luckily this is probably going to be one of the simpler problems with an oven to fix, especially with an electric oven which will typically be of a far simpler design than a gas oven. In the case of the electric oven, this issue will usually be down to a damaged heating element. It should be fairly obvious if this is the case, even from a preliminary visual inspection, as the heating elements will have cracks or damage and will not change color when attempting to heat the oven. Depending on the element itself, you will simply need to purchase a replacement and fit it, taking into account any particular guidelines or advance for your individual oven. With a gas oven, it is most commonly the igniter that is causing you problems, which can be a trickier replacement, but is still do-able if you are handy.
It isn’t quite the same as there being no heat at all, but a similar problem with the heating can be the issue of some parts of the heating apparatus being hotter than others. Like the issue just discussed, this will occur on an electric oven if the heating element is damaged. Another possible issue causing this, which can also be the perpetrator behind poorly cooked food, is that some of the sensors or thermostats are damaged on the oven, meaning that they will need to be replaced. It’s fairly significant that you keep tabs on this particular part of your oven, even if it doesn’t need to be repaired, to ensure that you keep cooking food at the correct temperatures.
If your problem is with the flame control on a gas oven, you may want to look into a possible required repair of the air shutter mixer plate
Problem: Blocked Ports
An easy maintenance task that may fix problems you are having with your oven is to try cleaning the ports that the gas come out of. Over time and excessive usage without cleaning, they may become blocked by food and other dirt. Thankfully this one doesn’t require any replacement parts or specific knowledge about ovens, you can simply grab a wet cloth and start scrubbing.
Problem: Blown Fuses
If your electric oven is completely failing to work or turn on, remember that many electric ovens may have fuses, fuses that may have blown. Not only that, they have multiple sets of fuses for the different components on the device, if you are dealing with a high-end oven. Remember to check the manual for your individual oven to see if it possesses any extra fuses, or if there are any possible circuits that may have blown.
Maintain for Easier Repairs
Although there isn’t too much you can do in terms of maintenance with both electric and gas ovens, there’s still a few things that you can keep on top of to ensure that they are in good working order. Remembering to clean your oven is one of the easiest ways to help maintain the performance levels of the oven. Also, for electric ovens, you should constantly be checking the calibration of the oven’s thermostat to ensure that it is still functioning correctly. Doing this regularly will allow you to calibrate the thermostat or adjust the oven accordingly and keep you aware of whether or not the thermostat is starting to cause one of the previously mentioned problems to manifest.
