I. Troubleshooting Electric Ovens: Common Problems and Solutions
Electric ovens come in two types: independent and dependent. Independent ovens have their own control systems, separate from other kitchen appliances. Dependent ovens, on the other hand, are integrated with a cooktop and share a control system. In electric ovens, heat is produced by heating elements.
These heating elements can provide upper heating, lower heating, or a combination of both. The grill function adds versatility, allowing for a wider range of cooking options. Convection mode ensures that food is evenly heated. The oven's temperature is controlled via the control panel, with both temperature and cooking time adjustable through either electronic or electromechanical controls. Modern electric ovens often feature additional functions like microwave and steam cooking, enhancing their capabilities further.
These heating elements can provide upper heating, lower heating, or a combination of both. The grill function adds versatility, allowing for a wider range of cooking options. Convection mode ensures that food is evenly heated. The oven's temperature is controlled via the control panel, with both temperature and cooking time adjustable through either electronic or electromechanical controls. Modern electric ovens often feature additional functions like microwave and steam cooking, enhancing their capabilities further.
II. What can go wrong:
If the oven doesn't turn on, the first thing to do is to rule out external causes – check the presence and voltage level at the outlet. If that's not the issue, then you need to troubleshoot the appliance itself – there can be several reasons for malfunctions. Most of these are usually caused by errors in operating the oven.
The heating element – the heating coil – is a metal tube with a wire running inside it. The wire metal has a high specific resistance, so when current flows through it, the wire heats up. Besides the wire, the tube contains a special insulating material – magnesia, which prevents contact between the wire and the outer shell. Several types of heating elements are used in electric ovens:
Spiral – has a single or double spiral, and the heating level is smoothly adjusted with a rotary regulator;
Solid – installed under a metal plate, has several heating levels;
Halogen – made of durable fire-resistant glass; the main element is a lamp with a reflector; such a heater is rarely installed in household appliances.
The reason for a heating element failure can be its physical wear and tear. Intensive operation in the heating-cooling mode causes the heater sheath to lose its properties. One of the most common reasons for a non-functioning oven is a burnt-out heating element. This can be visually detected if the heating element shows dark spots, bulges, cracks, and other mechanical damage. A damaged heating element glows red-hot after the oven is turned on. Factory defects in the heating element can also cause its failure, but this is very rare. Manufacturers pay great attention to quality control of this part. A damaged or burnt-out heating element must be replaced.
The temperature inside the oven is controlled by a thermostat. When the temperature reaches the set level, the thermostat either opens or closes the electrical circuit supplying the heating element. The switching on and off occurs due to the compression or expansion of gas inside the thermostat or due to the expansion or contraction of a bimetallic strip under the influence of temperature. If the thermostat fails, the oven may not turn on at all or operate without temperature control. This can lead to uncontrolled temperature increases, which is very dangerous. The thermostat's functionality can be checked using an oven thermometer. Place it inside, set the temperature regulator to the minimum heating level. A working thermostat should turn off the heaters approximately 10 minutes later. Then compare the temperature on the thermometer with the set temperature.
The electronic module, consisting of a motherboard, processor, and memory board, controls the execution of preset programs. Electronics can fail due to a power surge. A program failure can also occur due to incorrect user actions, such as entering a new command without canceling the previous one. To fix the malfunction, try rebooting the module. If that doesn't help, it needs to be reprogrammed.
The oven may not switch modes or may not turn on at all due to a faulty touchscreen display. Repairing the touch panel yourself is not feasible – you need specialized diagnostic equipment and experience for this. It is better to entrust the repair of this equipment to specialists.
A similar problem arises when the mode selector switch fails. Prolonged use at high temperatures can cause the springs on the contacts to weaken or the contacts themselves to burn. Often, rotary switches fail due to dirt or water getting into them. In this case, you can restore the element's functionality by disassembling and cleaning it. A faulty switch needs to be replaced.
In ovens equipped with a grill function, the spit is driven by a separate electric motor. If it breaks down, the rotation function does not work. In many ovens, the spit rotation is achieved through a belt drive. This design is due to the limited width of the oven and the ability to simplify the construction. The belt transmits torque from the motor to the spit. If the belt breaks, the motor will continue to run, but the spit will not rotate. Replacing the belt requires quite complex work, and we highly advise you not to do it yourself. Also, the spit rotation will be disrupted if it disengages from the drive coupling. In this case, you can try to reattach it yourself or slightly tighten the hook.
Even heat distribution in the working chamber is ensured by the installation of a special fan. If it fails, proper air circulation is disrupted, causing uneven heating and baking of dishes. Most often, fan failure occurs due to a break or short circuit in the windings of its electric motor. The solution to this problem can only be one thing – the replacement of faulty elements.
The additional heating element installed in many models of ovens with convection mode ensures more even heating of the working chamber. The heating element may burn out due to voltage fluctuations in the network or improper usage conditions. A failed heating element must be replaced; it cannot be repaired.
The thermal probe allows for more precise temperature control when cooking various dishes, as it measures the temperature directly inside the product. There are two types of thermal probes: wired and wireless. The wired type is needle-shaped, stored separately from the oven, and connected to a special port in it. The wireless type is stored in the oven door and does not require connection to a special port. The thermal probe can completely fail or provide inaccurate information. This can be due to a malfunction of its sensitive elements. Improper use can cause them to melt or short-circuit. False information can also be transmitted if there is a malfunction in the control unit or damage to the wired thermal probe cable. In such cases, the elements need to be replaced.
Many modern ovens are equipped with a steam generator. This option significantly expands the capabilities of the appliance, allowing you to steam, bake, and stew vegetables and meat. The dishes turn out to be almost dietary, retaining their beneficial properties. The water poured into a special container flows through a tube into the steam generator bowl located in the working chamber of the oven. There it is heated and turns into steam. If the water runs out during cooking, a corresponding message appears on the display, and a sound signal is emitted. The cause of a steam generator malfunction could be a fault in the heater or other structural elements.
One of the malfunctions in combined ovens is the failure of the microwave module. In this case, the lighting and ventilation may still work. First, the fuse should be checked. If it is fine, then the power circuits of the magnetron are tested, and the magnetron itself is checked. However, such work should not be done on your own; it is better to contact specialists.
- Heating element:
The heating element – the heating coil – is a metal tube with a wire running inside it. The wire metal has a high specific resistance, so when current flows through it, the wire heats up. Besides the wire, the tube contains a special insulating material – magnesia, which prevents contact between the wire and the outer shell. Several types of heating elements are used in electric ovens:
Spiral – has a single or double spiral, and the heating level is smoothly adjusted with a rotary regulator;
Solid – installed under a metal plate, has several heating levels;
Halogen – made of durable fire-resistant glass; the main element is a lamp with a reflector; such a heater is rarely installed in household appliances.
The reason for a heating element failure can be its physical wear and tear. Intensive operation in the heating-cooling mode causes the heater sheath to lose its properties. One of the most common reasons for a non-functioning oven is a burnt-out heating element. This can be visually detected if the heating element shows dark spots, bulges, cracks, and other mechanical damage. A damaged heating element glows red-hot after the oven is turned on. Factory defects in the heating element can also cause its failure, but this is very rare. Manufacturers pay great attention to quality control of this part. A damaged or burnt-out heating element must be replaced.
- Thermostat:
The temperature inside the oven is controlled by a thermostat. When the temperature reaches the set level, the thermostat either opens or closes the electrical circuit supplying the heating element. The switching on and off occurs due to the compression or expansion of gas inside the thermostat or due to the expansion or contraction of a bimetallic strip under the influence of temperature. If the thermostat fails, the oven may not turn on at all or operate without temperature control. This can lead to uncontrolled temperature increases, which is very dangerous. The thermostat's functionality can be checked using an oven thermometer. Place it inside, set the temperature regulator to the minimum heating level. A working thermostat should turn off the heaters approximately 10 minutes later. Then compare the temperature on the thermometer with the set temperature.
- Electronics:
The electronic module, consisting of a motherboard, processor, and memory board, controls the execution of preset programs. Electronics can fail due to a power surge. A program failure can also occur due to incorrect user actions, such as entering a new command without canceling the previous one. To fix the malfunction, try rebooting the module. If that doesn't help, it needs to be reprogrammed.
- Display:
The oven may not switch modes or may not turn on at all due to a faulty touchscreen display. Repairing the touch panel yourself is not feasible – you need specialized diagnostic equipment and experience for this. It is better to entrust the repair of this equipment to specialists.
- Rotary Switches:
A similar problem arises when the mode selector switch fails. Prolonged use at high temperatures can cause the springs on the contacts to weaken or the contacts themselves to burn. Often, rotary switches fail due to dirt or water getting into them. In this case, you can restore the element's functionality by disassembling and cleaning it. A faulty switch needs to be replaced.
- Grill:
In ovens equipped with a grill function, the spit is driven by a separate electric motor. If it breaks down, the rotation function does not work. In many ovens, the spit rotation is achieved through a belt drive. This design is due to the limited width of the oven and the ability to simplify the construction. The belt transmits torque from the motor to the spit. If the belt breaks, the motor will continue to run, but the spit will not rotate. Replacing the belt requires quite complex work, and we highly advise you not to do it yourself. Also, the spit rotation will be disrupted if it disengages from the drive coupling. In this case, you can try to reattach it yourself or slightly tighten the hook.
- Convection Fan:
Even heat distribution in the working chamber is ensured by the installation of a special fan. If it fails, proper air circulation is disrupted, causing uneven heating and baking of dishes. Most often, fan failure occurs due to a break or short circuit in the windings of its electric motor. The solution to this problem can only be one thing – the replacement of faulty elements.
- Heating Element of the Convector:
The additional heating element installed in many models of ovens with convection mode ensures more even heating of the working chamber. The heating element may burn out due to voltage fluctuations in the network or improper usage conditions. A failed heating element must be replaced; it cannot be repaired.
- Thermal Probe:
The thermal probe allows for more precise temperature control when cooking various dishes, as it measures the temperature directly inside the product. There are two types of thermal probes: wired and wireless. The wired type is needle-shaped, stored separately from the oven, and connected to a special port in it. The wireless type is stored in the oven door and does not require connection to a special port. The thermal probe can completely fail or provide inaccurate information. This can be due to a malfunction of its sensitive elements. Improper use can cause them to melt or short-circuit. False information can also be transmitted if there is a malfunction in the control unit or damage to the wired thermal probe cable. In such cases, the elements need to be replaced.
- Steam Generator:
Many modern ovens are equipped with a steam generator. This option significantly expands the capabilities of the appliance, allowing you to steam, bake, and stew vegetables and meat. The dishes turn out to be almost dietary, retaining their beneficial properties. The water poured into a special container flows through a tube into the steam generator bowl located in the working chamber of the oven. There it is heated and turns into steam. If the water runs out during cooking, a corresponding message appears on the display, and a sound signal is emitted. The cause of a steam generator malfunction could be a fault in the heater or other structural elements.
- Microwave Module:
One of the malfunctions in combined ovens is the failure of the microwave module. In this case, the lighting and ventilation may still work. First, the fuse should be checked. If it is fine, then the power circuits of the magnetron are tested, and the magnetron itself is checked. However, such work should not be done on your own; it is better to contact specialists.
III. Diagnosing the Customer's Oven Problem:
Upon arrival, our experienced technician began a thorough diagnosis, systematically examining the potential culprits:
Through a meticulous process of elimination, the technician pinpointed the issue to a faulty temperature sensor. The sensor was promptly replaced with a high-quality, compatible part. Following the replacement, the oven was rigorously tested to ensure proper functionality across various temperature settings.
- Power Source: The initial step involved verifying the power supply to the oven. A quick check of the breaker box confirmed that the circuit was functioning properly.
- Heating Element: Next, the technician inspected the heating element, the component responsible for generating heat within the oven. Visual inspection revealed no visible signs of damage, such as cracks or breaks.
- Igniter (This was a Gas Oven): The igniter plays a crucial role in initiating the flame. Our technician carefully examined the igniter for signs of wear or malfunction.
- Temperature Sensor: The temperature sensor acts as the oven's internal thermometer, regulating heating cycles. A faulty sensor could lead to inaccurate temperature readings, preventing the oven from reaching the desired heat.
- Control Board: The control board is the brain of the oven, managing various functions. While less common, a malfunctioning control board could disrupt the heating process.
Through a meticulous process of elimination, the technician pinpointed the issue to a faulty temperature sensor. The sensor was promptly replaced with a high-quality, compatible part. Following the replacement, the oven was rigorously tested to ensure proper functionality across various temperature settings.
IV. Successful Repair and Client Satisfaction:
Our swift and efficient repair restored the oven to its former glory, allowing our client to resume their culinary endeavors without further disruption. This case exemplifies our commitment to providing comprehensive appliance repair solutions, ensuring that our clients' kitchens remain functional and efficient.
V. Our Appliance Repair Services:
We also work with double, built-into-the-wall ovens, all gas and electric ones. Our trained technicians are experienced in solving a wide range of problems your oven may have. Whether it's uneven heating, incorrect temperatures, or a malfunctioning heating element, we'll provide you with top-notch service and repairs to get your oven functioning at its best again.
We have extensive experience with all brands, including Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, Bertazzoni, Frigidaire, KitchenAid, Thermador, Bosch, Monogram, and more.
We service Jollyville, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Hutto, Manor, Leander, Cedar Park, Bee Cave, West Lake, Manchaca, and surrounding areas in Austin, TX.
We have extensive experience with all brands, including Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, Bertazzoni, Frigidaire, KitchenAid, Thermador, Bosch, Monogram, and more.
We service Jollyville, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Hutto, Manor, Leander, Cedar Park, Bee Cave, West Lake, Manchaca, and surrounding areas in Austin, TX.
VI. The Conclusion:
Don’t waste time on experiments and risks - entrust your oven to our team of professionals, and you will again be able to enjoy delicious dishes prepared in a reliable and working oven.
Don't hesitate to CALL US!
Don't hesitate to CALL US!
Need professional help?
Call us at (737) 710-1606 or schedule an appointment for today or when it suits your schedule!
Call us at (737) 710-1606 or schedule an appointment for today or when it suits your schedule!
