Common Oven Problems You May Experience
Whether you’re a hobby chef or a takeout champion, we all have to pop things in the oven at some point. But there are typical problems people face that can make cooking frustrating. While we can’t help you chop onions better, we can give you some insight into how your oven works if you’re running into problems.
It’s Not Heating
If your oven is not heating, there may be an issue with the burner or energy source. For gas ovens, this likely means a broken igniter. If your stove burners are still igniting, it is probably local to the oven. If your stove doesn’t light either, there may be an issue with your gas line connection or the line itself. Gas line repairs should be looked at by a professional. If you don’t hear the oven ignite, try replacing the igniter.
For an electric oven, it’s still possible that the heating components break or wear out. If the heat bar is not glowing red or you notice the oven is not hot, it may be a problem with those elements. You can usually replace these without help, but it’s always a good idea to have a professional technician take a look.
It Doesn’t Heat the Right Temperature
So your oven is heating, but you burned the chicken even though you watched it like a hawk? There may be a problem with the temperature sensor. This device ensures that when you set the oven to 350 degrees, it heats to that temperature.
Ensure the sensor is not touching any oven walls, as this will impact its ability to read temperature correctly. You could also use a separate thermometer to see if the temperature sensor is the real issue. There may also be a calibration issue, which requires a professional technician to diagnose and repair.
The Self-Clean Doesn’t Work
If your oven will not self-clean, it may be a symptom of a faulty door. The oven door must be able to close completely and lock for the self-clean option to work. It could also be a symptom of the temperature sensor not working. Other problems could be the thermal fuse, the control board, or wiring. Many of these issues should be addressed by a professional.
You Keep Seeing Smoke
Smoke issues are likely due to a cooking issue rather than a technical issue, but they definitely shouldn’t be ignored. Note: If you have a brand-new oven, its factory coatings may burn off, causing smoke during its first uses. You can fix this by turning on the oven at the recommended temperature for a certain amount of time before using it.
You should clean any food items that fall into the oven or on the oven racks since the intense heat will burn the food or liquids, causing smoke. Smoke could also result from a dirty oven — or the exact opposite, a clean oven with an ineffective cleaner. You should also clean again after your oven cleans itself, wiping out excess material left behind.
If you still get smoke after taking these steps, it may be a technical issue. In electric ovens, you may notice smoke coming from a faulty heating element. You may even hear a buzzing noise that means the heating elements are about to fail.
An easy way to test this is to turn on your oven to an average setting and see if the elements turn red. There may be a pressure buildup in the gas line for gas ovens that needs to be addressed by a professional.
Local Oven Repair Near You
In our three decades in the industry, our team has repaired over 100,000 appliances. No matter how simple or complex your needs are, Atlantic Coast Appliance can get your appliances back into working order in no time.