7 Causes Of An Overheating Oven
The oven in your kitchen plays a crucial role in preparing delicious meals on a daily basis. It can handle multiple batches of food items and cook them at the right temperature to ensure consistent taste. Since the oven can be an electronic or gas appliance like many others in the kitchen, it is prone to running into problems if a component malfunctions and you may need to consult an appliance repair expert for inspections. A common issue tends to be overheating, which could be easy or complicated to fix. Here are the possible reasons and how you can handle them with ease.
Why Is My Oven Overheating?
Broken Temperature Sensor
An oven comprises several different parts that work together as a team to prepare food. As such, the temperature sensor is a component that keeps track of the temperature inside the oven and communicates or signals the oven to turn on or off the heating elements accordingly.
If the temperature sensor tends to malfunction due to some reason, it will not be able to communicate properly, and the temperature gauge will show a temperature lower than it actually is. This will cause the food to become overcooked. You should check if the temperature sensor is securely in place, especially if the oven was recently serviced. But if the temperature sensor has malfunctioned, you might need to replace it.
Damaged Heating Elements
Heating elements are inside the oven cavity. These are the most important components as they produce heat and help prepare consistent meals. Since ovens are used almost on a daily basis in every household, it is highly likely that they become damaged with time due to wear and tear.
Fortunately, checking the heating elements is relatively easy, and you need to ensure they are cool before you can inspect them. If there is a visible sign of damage, it means the heating elements need to be replaced. Heating elements are neither expensive nor difficult to replace.
All you need to do is contact the manufacturer for exact replacement parts and consult the user manual to replace them.
Broken Thermostat
The thermostat and temperature sensor are two different components with two different functions. Some people tend to confuse the two and assume both are the same. The thermostat and temperature sensor work together to signal the heating element to switch on and off for optimal cooking.
A malfunctioning thermostat may not be able to receive or send signals properly, which will lead to the oven overheating. To make sure the thermostat is either working fine or faulty, you can place a manual thermometer in the center of the middle rack.
Once the oven reaches the desired temperature, you should check the manual thermometer and see if the temperature matches it. If the difference is more than 15 degrees between the two, then contact an expert who will replace the thermostat. Thermostat problems are common in refrigerators too. So, before consulting a refrigerator repair Alexandria expert, try this method.
Loose Thermostat Knob
A loose thermostat knob is a common issue among ovens as constant usage causes them to loose grip with time. The problem with a loose thermostat knob is that it will lower or raise the temperature more than needed. This will either lead to undercooked or overcooked food in most cases.
So, if you feel the knob is loose, you will need to secure it in place. Moreover, you should also check it for any cracks or chips. A loose thermostat knob is not a big issue and you can easily replace it on your own as well.
Blocked Vent
If you have a cooking range, it will have a hood vent or filter. A vent is not an electronic item but a feature to help the oven and the range disperse some heat. This helps the oven, stove, range avoid overheating. The filter tends to become blocked due to layers of dirt, oil, and grease. This will prevent the hot air from escaping, causing the oven to overheat.
You can fix the issue or prevent it by thoroughly cleaning the hood vent. All you need to do is grab some chemicals off the shelf and a soft brush. Simply spray the chemical over the buildup and let it break down. Then, use a brush and a soft cloth to wipe away all the accumulation.
Faulty Cooling Fan
Modern ovens tend to come with cooling fans that help keep the temperature down by removing heat. Depending on the model of the oven, it might have one or more cooling fans. These fans can also accumulate layers of oil, dirt, and grease with time, causing them to malfunction.
This means a faulty cooling fan will need to be thoroughly cleaned. But if the oven happens to be old, it might be that the fan needs replacement. You should contact a professional to get it repaired or replaced.
Lack Of Maintenance
Finally, it comes down to a major reason most of the ovens tend to overheat, i.e., lack of maintenance. You might think that an oven is a simple electronic appliance and does not require much maintenance, but it does. With time, the oil, grease, dirt, food leftovers, and other factors tend to accumulate, which impedes the performance of the unit.
This is why, if the oven in your house is used daily, you should perform thorough weekly maintenance. Plus, if the oven is used by multiple family members, you should opt for professional maintenance. Professional maintenance goes deep inside the unit and looks for potential problems.
If there is something that needs to be fixed or replaced, the expert will do it on the spot. This not only helps the unit run without any issues but also prevents unexpected complications.
How To Find The Right Expert?
Finding the right expert is as important as regularly maintaining the oven. While looking for a professional, you will come across many options, with some offering their services at cheap rates. You might be tempted to go for them, but there is a huge risk attached.
Choosing an amateur to work on your oven will only lead to more problems. You should always do some homework and look around for someone to refer you to an expert. That way, you will choose an individual who has already showcased their skills and experience.
Try to gather multiple options in hand and personally visit or interview them over a call. Narrow down the options by considering only those who are approved by the state and carry a license. Finally, cross-compare the options and pick the one that offers the best rates.
Conclusion
It’s important to keep an eye out for unusual signs and schedule professional maintenance. Ovens are designed to last for at least a decade if maintained properly. So, considering the tips mentioned above, you should be able to make the most out of your investment. For repairs and maintenance, call in an oven repair Fairfax professional.