Get Cookin’ : Need to Fix Your Oven? It’s Time to Call a Professional !
A good oven lasts between 10-15 years. However, if yours is getting a little old and is beginning to cause you problems, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time for a new one. You may just need to do a small repair job thus saving yourself between $350 and $20,000 depending on the model and installation job. Sometimes you can fix oven yourself while other times you’ll need to call a professional.
To help you determine whether it’s a job you can handle, a job for a professional or it’s time for a new oven, keep reading. We’re sharing with you everything you need to know about how to troubleshoot a broken oven.
Take Caution Before You Fix Oven
Make sure you stay safe when fixing either any kind of oven. If it’s a gas range or oven, make sure it’s unplugged before you start any work. You can also turn off the electric power to the unit. Remove a fuse or trip the breaker circuit. If you see a grounding wire to the range, disconnect it first.
You should also close the gas supply valve when working to shut off the unit’s gas supply. And make sure you replace your old parts with identical new ones. Take them to your hardware store to ensure you get the right parts.
Gas Burner Won’t Light
For gas oven repair where the burner won’t light, it’s usually an easy repair. In some cases, all it really takes is a lighter or match to relight the pilot light when it goes out. However, if that doesn’t fix the problem, you’ll need to lift off the burner grate, burner cap, and burner base. Next, clear off any debris around the burner. A toothpick or compressed air helps clear out stuck on food more easily.
Clean out the grate, cap, and case. Then check the wires that connect the igniter to the control module. Tighten up any loose connections. If your burner still won’t light, you may need a new igniter or there’s an issue with the gas line. At this point, contacting a professional is your best option.
Range Burner Won’t Heat
For electric oven repair where the range burner isn’t heating up, it’s possible the burner is bad and needs replacing. Start by replacing the burner that isn’t working with a burner you know does work properly. You just need to unplug the bad one from the burner socket and plug in the working burner in its place. If that burner works, you know the old burner is dead and you need to replace it.
If it still won’t work, your issues are either with the infinite switch or the socket itself. Check the socket for burn marks or other signs of damage. Replace it if you see obvious signs of damage. Once replaced, test it again. If it still doesn’t work, replace the infinite switch. If, after all that, the range burner still won’t heat, you need a professional.
Broke Oven Door That Won’t Shut Properly
It’s hard to bake or cook properly when you can’t get your oven door to shut. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to learn how to fix an oven door yourself without calling on a professional.
How to Replace the Hinges
Begin by removing the door to examine its hinges. You can do this by pulling the door straight up to release its hinges, which are attached to the door, not the oven. If this doesn’t work, look inside your oven for the screws holding the hinges and unscrew them. Then replace those hinges with new ones and hook them back into the hinge holes in your oven. Push the door back down to lock the hinges back in place.
How to Fix Broken Door Springs
Check if your door springs are broken. Slide out the bottom drawer and check under the oven for springs between the oven and the door. While not all ovens use springs, springs break as they age. If you find a broken spring, use pliers to open the ends around the bolts.
How to Replace Silicone Fabric or Rubber Gaskets
To remove the silicone fabric or rubber gasket that lines the inside edges of your oven, use a flat-head screwdriver or pliers to pry a section loose. Replace with another gasket. Don’t forget to measure the gasket so it’s the same length as your original one. You can use a utility knife if you need to make a cut. Then you can simply push one end into the groove of the door using your fingers and press until the edges of the gasket meet.
Oven Won’t Heat
For an electric oven, the culprit behind an oven not heating up is usually the heating element. For a gas oven, it’s usually a faulty lighter. For gas ovens, if both your gas oven and burners no longer work, it’s an issue with the gas line. Call a professional and do not attempt this on your own.
You can, however, make oven repairs such as replacing the heating element or igniter on your own if you can find the igniter or heating element. Use a screwdriver to remove the igniter or heating element.
You can find the heating element in the oven while you can access your igniter by finding it underneath the oven. You can access it by removing the broiler or storage drawer located at the bottom of your oven.
Your Light is Out
Light-bulbs die, even the ones inside your oven. Even those people who don’t ever want to learn how to fix an oven can do this on their own. Simply remove the bulb cover by turning it counterclockwise about a quarter of the way around. Pull the old bulb straight out.
It’s best to use a dry cloth or gloves when installing the new bulb.
Oven Won’t Self-Clean
Many ovens are self-cleaning. Which is great until it stops working.
Check to ensure you’re correctly starting the cycle. Check your timers and knobs.
And remember that large spills often leave a layer of ash. You may need to just clean it yourself.
If it’s still not working, it’s a bigger issue than you can handle on your own.
We Can Help
While sometimes it’s possible to fix oven, other times it’s a sign it’s time to purchase a new one.
But before you go ahead and spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a new oven, let us take a crack at it.
We have a team of specialists standing by to help. Click here to schedule your appointment.
