Tips on Serving Your Appliances So They Last Forever

When your home's oven fails to heat or doesn't seem to heat enough, or you're having any other problem with it, don't assume it's time to get a new one. Very often there are just some simple parts you might want to have replaced or repaired and which can get the oven working like new again. Some parts you might be able to repair or replace on your own, but if not, it's still good to know what you might expect from the appliance repairperson you call for oven repair. Note the following.

1. Low temperature

If you're an experienced cook, then you typically know how hot the oven should feel when you set it to a certain temperature; and certainly if your food is taking longer to cook than usual, chances are the oven is running at a lower temperature than it should. Note if the kitchen seems warmer when this happens, and if so, the gasket around the oven door may need replacing. This is the rubber piece that provides a seal around the oven door, keeping in heat. If it should get worn or thin or separate from the door, heat is let out and in turn the oven isn't as warm as it should be.

If you can see the gasket on the door, you might note that it attaches with screws; this means you can install a new one on your own. If you cannot see the gasket, it is probably attached behind the door frame and it's best to have a professional handle this since the door itself may need to be disassembled.

2. Food is not cooked evenly

Another common problem in a household oven is that the temperature sensor begins to malfunction, and in turn, the temperature inside the unit doesn't remain constant. Your food will cook unevenly as the temperature goes up or down. 

This temperature sensor or the thermostat connected to it may also be a reason why the oven won't stop heating even after you turn it off. Wires may weld themselves together over time so that the oven isn't reading the dials properly, and in turn, the oven keeps heating after you shut it off. Your oven usually has a control board behind the back panel which has the temperature sensor connectors and wiring. Remove the back panel of your oven and note if there is any wiring that seems to have come loose or that is frayed. It's usually best to have a professional handle the replacement of this wiring or replace the entire sensor if it's worn.